Finding Small Hammered Coins: Setup, Sweep & Recovery

Safe starting setup

Small targets need stability, not maximum power.

MODEField or small-targetBegin with the closest factory mode.

FREQMulti-frequency if stableUse the manufacturer’s general field route.

NOISENoise cancel firstFix interference before deeper controls.

GROUNDBalance noisy soilUse a clean patch for the test.

POWERHighest stable levelNot simply the highest available number.

SPEEDMedium firstRaise a little in dense iron.

IRONLight discriminationDo not block a wide low-to-mid range.

COILSmaller in tight ironBetter separation; usually less depth.

Sweep for small targets

Choose the tradeoff

Ground	Useful adjustment	What it costs
Mineralised soil	Ground balance; lower sensitivity until stable	Less raw depth, clearer real targets
Dense iron	Smaller coil or faster recovery	Better separation, usually less depth
Clean open soil	Standard coil and normal recovery	Slower recovery may add depth but merge targets
Stubble / uneven soil	Slow down; hold coil height steady	Fewer lanes per hour, fewer missed tiny targets
Heavy iron filtering	Reduce filtering carefully	More good targets and more convincing iron

Change one control, search a small test patch again, and decide whether the signal—not the menu—improved.

Context-safe recovery

1
Pinpoint before opening.
Use only the smallest recovery method permitted on that ground.
2
Keep coin and tools apart.
Do not rub, scrape, bend, or flatten a thin find.
3
Photograph before cleaning.
Both faces, the edge, a millimetre scale, diameter, and weight all help.
4
Stop at a cluster or container.
Do not enlarge the hole. Protect the location and contact the official reporting body.
5
Use the country rule.
England, the Netherlands, and every other jurisdiction have different reporting and ownership routes.

Irregular flan, cross, pellets, or a partial royal legend?

Portrait with Latin letters instead?