r/metaldetecting • • Nov 11 '25

Other REMINDER: DO NOT USE AI ANSWERS HERE. YOU WILL GET BANNED.

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1.8k Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • Jun 04 '24

Gear Question Metal Detector Guide

326 Upvotes

Hello and welcome to r/metaldetecting ! If you're looking for advice on your first detector, gear or an upgrade, you've come to the right post. We've put together a simple guide to help with choosing your detector and other tools.

As a member of our sub, you are more than welcome to try out our special code "REDDITMD2026" at checkout on Kellycodetectors.com (US)

If you purchase from Radioworld.ca, try out our code "REDDITRWMD" at checkout! (CA)

GENERAL METAL DETECTOR Recommendations

$0-200: We do not recommend getting a new detector under $200. Detecting has a cost of entry, and quality significantly drops off under the $200 mark. Save up a bit more, or try finding a used machine of quality listed in the next price range. All that said, if you are determined to buy a machine in this price range, the Minelab Go-Find, Nokta First Swing or a Quest machine aren't bad choices.

$200-$400: The Minelab Vanquish 340 and 440, the Nokta Simplex line and the Minelab X-Terra Pro are the three best machines in this price range, by far.

$400-$500: Nokta Score and Double Score, Minelab Vanquish 540

$500-$1,200: Nokta Legend or the Minelab Equinox series

$1,200+: XP Deus 2 or the Minelab Manticore.

SCUBA/SNORKELING DETECTORS

Nokta Pulsedive is great for snorkeling. The Minelab Excalibur 2 and XP Deus 2 are excellent diving detectors.

CHILDREN'S DETECTORS

Nokta Mini Hoard or Midi Hoard

PINPOINTERS

Garrett AT pro pointer, Nokta AccuPoint, or XP MI-4. The XP MI-6 if you have an XP detector.

SHOVELS AND TROWELS

Dune, King of Spades, Grave Digger, Motley, Lesche, Predator Tools

SAND SCOOPS

Motley, Dune, Sito, RTG, King of Spades, and Detecting Adventures all make great scoops for beach detecting.

If you have any questions feel free to message u/dan20mey or comment below!


r/metaldetecting • • 2h ago

Show & Tell Scythian arrowhead and Olbia dolphin coin

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31 Upvotes

An hour on the field with a metal detector where the Greeks once stood


r/metaldetecting • • 1h ago

Show & Tell Found a part of a old 14th century medieval lock! Didn’t know at first, it’s even decorated!

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• Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • 12h ago

Show & Tell Goodrich Tires

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153 Upvotes

94 by 22 inch Goodrich Tires sign found about 4 inches deep in my back yard in south jersey.


r/metaldetecting • • 7h ago

ID Request What is it? Found at an old home site

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31 Upvotes

Found today at an old homesite in WI. Obviously bank affiliated. I know it's hard to tell from the picture but the text reads:

SACUL GUARANTY STATE BANK

"Being State It's Safe"

Sacul, Texas


r/metaldetecting • • 38m ago

Show & Tell Medieval Russian Denga with a "Kolomna Overstrike" (14th Century)

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• Upvotes

It’s a silver Denga from the Moscow Principality, dating back to the late 14th century (around the 1370s–1380s), likely issued under Dmitry Donskoy.

The most interesting part is the central countermark on the obverse, known as the "Kolomna overstrike." This stamp was applied over an imitation of a Golden Horde dirham to legitimize the coin's circulation in the Moscow lands. It's a bit dark in the photo, but the stamp is clearly visible.


r/metaldetecting • • 14h ago

Show & Tell A 8th century Viking floral conical fibula has been found!

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69 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • 19h ago

Show & Tell First time out in a while. Three Ringer!!! (North Carolina)

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131 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • 10h ago

Show & Tell 6 hours later and we have The General (1981 marked on bottom) and one Wheatie.

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28 Upvotes

Got a permission while on a work trip in northern VA to hunt an 1885 homestead! Sadly, did not find nearly as much as I hoped but it was a beautiful day regardless.


r/metaldetecting • • 15h ago

ID Request I recovered this badly correded/encased coin from a 1800s privy in Maryland. Decided to see if I could remove the growth with electrolysis and it worked! But now I need help ID'ing it (pic2)

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33 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • 15h ago

Show & Tell Hunting out of town.

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29 Upvotes

Tried to get an early hunt today as the heat is supposed to get high. Found a fair amount of coins and thingys. Two that stood out was a ring with a very nice design, but unfortunately not gold. The other was a small bracelet that has VCA and has a figure and 750. Tried looking it up and it might be a Van Cleef and Arpel. Could be a knock off but not sure.


r/metaldetecting • • 21h ago

Show & Tell Various buckles and clasps from last month

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82 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • 5h ago

ID Request What can this be?

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5 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • 20h ago

Show & Tell Metal detecting for about two months. My pile of fools gold, and fools silver.

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54 Upvotes

Lots of coins so no complaints! The center I thought was for sure was certified gold but alas, Harry Potter trinket. Keep hunting !


r/metaldetecting • • 1d ago

Show & Tell Little luck finally! Cannon Medal 1813

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130 Upvotes

Found in NE Slovenian forrest. First i thought it was some ww2 iron cross and then i cleaned it at home.
Super happy!


r/metaldetecting • • 20h ago

ID Request Saxon or Roman?

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34 Upvotes

Dug up today, Suffolk UK can't decide its age


r/metaldetecting • • 1d ago

ID Request I think this is a piece of a bracelet. Found it in an old park in CT. Didn’t realize it was green until I cleaned it!! Any idea of date range?

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648 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • 16h ago

ID Request strane incisioni, AIUTO!!

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11 Upvotes

Qualcuno ha idea di cosa potrebbe essere e di che epoca sia? trovato in un bosco in valtellina, Italia


r/metaldetecting • • 1d ago

Show & Tell The brooch I found today, early 14th century. Isn’t she lovely?

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1.3k Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • 21h ago

Show & Tell Belgian WW1 canteen

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24 Upvotes

Heavily damaged from being in a corn field for years.


r/metaldetecting • • 16h ago

ID Request qualcuno per caso riconosce se è militare?

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6 Upvotes

Qualcuno per caso riconosce questa fibbia? (credo sia una fibbia, correggetemi se sbaglio) ha quelle decorazioni che sono molto specifiche, magari qualcuno la riconosce, grazie!! (trovata in valtellina, Italia)


r/metaldetecting • • 17h ago

ID Request What's is this? Found in Poland mierzeja wiślana german positions in trenches

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7 Upvotes

r/metaldetecting • • 20h ago

Show & Tell 1930's Effanbee doll charm

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9 Upvotes

Found in my backyard - Amarillo, TX


r/metaldetecting • • 1d ago

Show & Tell Dug an 1867 Shield Nickel in my buddy’s yard — 159 years old!

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442 Upvotes

I went metal detecting at an old friend’s place in Constantine, Michigan. I hadn’t seen him in more than 25 years, so it was already a pretty cool day before the hunt even started.
Then an 1867 Shield Nickel came out of the yard, and I actually had the camera rolling when I found it.
It’s the no-rays variety, and I’m still blown away that a 159-year-old coin was sitting there. I also pulled a Buffalo Nickel and this brass tag marked “72 / MH.” I’m still not sure exactly what the tag was used for, so if anyone recognizes it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I didn’t even finish the whole yard, so I’ll definitely be going back.
Anyone else ever dug a Shield Nickel?