Gold & Silver Forum - A Request for An Experiment

It depends on the sensitivity (circuitry) of the detector, it's ability to discriminate and amplify, the size and shape of the gold or silver object, and the mineralization of the ground.

Detectors differ greatly, the shape of the objects differes greatly, and the ground mineralization differs greatly from one area to another and even at times, one foot to another at the location.

If you're think about getting a detector, make sure (1) you know what you want it to do for you (treasure, coins, relics, gold, silver, etc.), (2) do you homework...talk to dealers and to people who have used various detectors, (3) get the best detector you can afford, (4) read and follow the instructions carefully, (5) bury different metals and shapes & sizes of metals at various locations in your yard. Mark each spot with a small stick or other object so you don't loose any of the items; (6) also bury aluminum pull-tabs, washers, lead shot/sinkers, copper pennies, small pcs of iron, etc., and practice...practice...practice.

If you want a detector for coins, get one that is specifically designed to detect coins and nothing else. Then if you want one to locate gold nuggets get the best detector you can afford that is designed specifically to locate gold.

Stay away from multi-function detectors...they do not function as well because they all use shared circuitry among the different functions and trade off degrees of sensitivity, ability to discriminate, ground balance, etc.

Also make sure you get a good pair of earphones and use them...they will help increase your number of finds.