Gold prospecting using a metal detector

Lesgold · April 24, 2022, 01:09:59 AM

Went out to another beach this morning for a bit of a detect. Not one of the pretty beaches but it still looks quiet good.

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Heaps of fishing sinkers and only a few coins. Was pleased to pick up a 1963 penny. (The larger one on the left)

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I?m quite fortunate to have over 20 beaches within a 20 minute drive from home.

The15thMember · April 24, 2022, 12:49:31 PM

Quote from: Lesgold on April 24, 2022, 01:09:59 AM
I?m quite fortunate to have over 20 beaches within a 20 minute drive from home.

I bet that is amazing! I haven't been to the beach since 2011. Sometimes I miss it.

Lesgold · April 26, 2022, 07:42:16 PM

Just finished making a coin tumbler to clean up dirty coins. Used an old printer that I was about to throw out. The tumbler container was made from some PVC water fittings. It works a treat.

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The15thMember · April 26, 2022, 08:07:35 PM

Quote from: Lesgold on April 26, 2022, 07:42:16 PM
Just finished making a coin tumbler to clean up dirty coins. Used an old printer that I was about to throw out. The tumbler container was made from some PVC water fittings. It works a treat.

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That's amazing! Let's see some before and after.

Lesgold · April 27, 2022, 07:34:06 PM

Here?s a few spendable coins that I found over the past two days. I?ll pop them in the tumbler with some gravel, water and a bit of soap to clean off some of the worst of the rubbish.

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Will show progress photos later as they clean up.

Lesgold · April 27, 2022, 10:15:31 PM

Tumbled the coins for half an hour to clean most of the dirt off. Kept two of the coins out of the tumbler as they were older pre decimal coins. This is how they currently look.

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A little bit cleaner but still badly stained. They will now go back into the tumbler with gravel, water, detergent, vinegar, salt and a little CLR. They should take about an hour to clean up.

Ben Framed · April 28, 2022, 01:21:59 AM

Im interested in seeing them when they come out.

Lesgold · April 28, 2022, 03:56:35 AM

The end result after an hour.

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Ben Framed · April 28, 2022, 07:17:02 AM

Wow! Nice!

The15thMember · April 28, 2022, 10:38:18 AM

That's incredible!

Lesgold · May 04, 2022, 02:14:01 AM

Went out for a play on the beach this morning. Walked 2km for some coins, a junk ring and a gold pendant. It was a beautiful day in the sun.

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Cheers

Les

Ben Framed · May 04, 2022, 03:02:56 AM

Les you are really good at finding things. What metal detector setup do you have (and or) prefer?

Phillip

Lesgold · May 04, 2022, 04:06:14 AM

Hi Phillip.

For the relic/ coin hunting I use a Minelab Equinox 800. If I?m looking for gold I use Minelab gear as well. (GPZ 7000, GPX 6000 and an SDC 2300) It?s a bit like beekeeping in that it?s an addictive hobby. Just did a bit of research on a foreign coin that I found today. It actually comes from Peru. It?s amazing what you can find when you are out detecting.

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Ben Framed · May 04, 2022, 04:15:15 AM

Thanks Les for the information. It is amazing to me that you actually found a coin form Peru in Australia! Good find! Copper? 👍🏻

Phillip

Lesgold · May 04, 2022, 05:10:13 AM

Not sure. May have to get some advice on how to clean it up. I think it may be a silver/ nickel type of coin.

BeeMaster2 · May 04, 2022, 07:43:16 AM

Try cleaning it with salt and vinegar. If it cleans up it is copper. Use a lot of salt and just enough vinegar to wet it.
Jim Altmiller

Lesgold · May 04, 2022, 05:47:58 PM

Thanks Jim.

I currently use salt and vinegar on spendable coins but am not sure if I should use an acidic solution on an unknown coin.

Lesgold · May 14, 2022, 04:17:40 AM

Went out for a swing this afternoon for a few hours. Came home with some coffee money and a nice little silver ring.

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This is an example of the silly things I do for a bit of fun.

Cheers

Les

BeeMaster2 · May 14, 2022, 08:17:10 AM

Do you have any idea of what type of stone is in it?
Jim Altmiller

Lesgold · May 14, 2022, 06:08:53 PM

Hi Jim,

That was the same question my wife asked me this morning. My reply was a shrug of the shoulders. I would like to know the answer to that myself. Hopefully there could be someone out there who could help with that. I am guessing that it is a cheap stone as it is quite large. I cleaned the ring last night. Placed it in a small container lined with aluminium foil, placed the ring on the foil followed by some carb soda and boiling water. Left it to soak for about 10 minutes and pulled out the ring. It was nice and clean after a rinse and wipe over with a tissue. Will post a photo in a few minutes.