Best Places to Metal Detect for Old Coins

Location is everything in metal detecting. You can have the best detector money can buy, but if you’re searching in the wrong places, you’ll find nothing but modern trash. The best coin hunters know where to look—and more importantly, how to research sites before they dig.

This guide covers the best places to metal detect for old coins, from obvious spots to hidden gems most detectorists overlook.

1. Old Parks and Playgrounds

Parks are the classic detecting spot—but not all parks are equal. Age matters more than size.

What to Look For

• Parks established before 1965: Silver coin potential
• Parks from 1900-1950: Wheat pennies, Mercury dimes, Buffalo nickels
• Parks from pre-1900: Indian Heads, Barber coins, large cents

Best Areas Within Parks

• Under large old trees: People sat in shade and dropped coins
• Former picnic areas: Look for concrete pads or old grills
• Near old benches: Even if benches were moved, the spots remain productive
• Along old pathways: Traffic patterns haven’t changed much
• Former playground equipment: Kids dropped coins at swings and slides

Research Tips

• Check when the park was established at the library
• Look for historical photos showing original layout
• Old maps show where features were located

2. Old Schools

Schools are gold mines for old coins. Kids are notorious for losing money, and schools have been in the same locations for over a century in many towns.

Best Areas at Schools

• Former playground areas: Especially swing sets and merry-go-rounds
• Bleacher areas: Coins fall through cracks at sporting events
• Under old trees: Where students gathered
• Former bus loading zones: Coins dropped while waiting
• Perimeter areas: Where kids walked and played at fence lines

Permission Tips

• Always get written permission from school administration
• Summer months are best—no students present
• Offer to share interesting historical finds with the school

3. Old Homestead Sites

Old homesteads are where the best finds happen. Families lived, worked, and dropped things for generations. Coins were often buried for safekeeping and forgotten.

How to Find Old Homesteads

• Old maps: County plat maps from 1800s-1900s show home locations
• Historical societies: Have records of who lived where
• Look for visual clues: Old trees in rows, stone foundations, cisterns, wells
• Road cuts and ditches: Old roads show where traffic passed
• Local historians: Know where old communities were

Best Areas at Homesteads

• Front yard: High traffic area
• Clothesline area: People reached in pockets
• Porch areas: Coins fell through cracks
• Pathway to outhouse: Daily traffic for decades
• Under old trees: Shade trees attracted activity
• Near wells: Gathering spot for water

4. Churches and Church Grounds

Churches have been community gathering places for centuries. Weekly gatherings meant weekly coin drops.

Best Areas

• Parking areas: Both current and former locations
• Picnic grounds: Church socials were major events
• Cemeteries: Be respectful, but visitors dropped coins
• Under old trees: Gathering spots after services

5. Fairgrounds and Event Sites

Annual events bring thousands of people—and thousands of dropped coins. County fairgrounds have been used for over a century in many areas.

Research Tips

• Find when annual fairs started in your county
• Look for former carnival locations
• Fourth of July celebration sites
• Old racetracks (horses or cars)

6. Ghost Towns and Abandoned Communities

Ghost towns are treasure troves—literally untouched for decades. Mining towns, railroad towns, and agricultural communities that dried up leave behind their history.

How to Find Ghost Towns

• GhostTowns.com: Database by state
• Historical maps: Show communities that no longer exist
• Local historical societies: Know locations and histories
• Old railroad maps: Towns formed along rail lines

What to Look For

• Foundations: Mark where buildings stood
• Depressions: Often indicate cellar holes
• Old roads: High traffic areas
• Wells and cisterns: Indicate home locations

7. Beaches (Fresh and Salt Water)

Beaches produce year-round. People lose jewelry, coins, and valuables constantly in sand and water.

Freshwater Beaches

• Old swimming holes (research historical photos)
• Lake beaches at state parks
• River swimming areas

Saltwater Beaches

• Towel line (where people sit)
• Entry/exit points to water
• Near lifeguard stands
• After storms (churns up buried items)

Research Resources

Free Online Resources

• Library of Congress Maps: loc.gov/maps
• USGS Historical Topographic Maps: ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps: Show building locations in detail
• Google Earth Historical Imagery: Compare old and new aerial photos
• Ancestry.com: Old newspapers mention events and locations

Local Resources

• County historical societies
• Local libraries (local history sections)
• Old-timers who remember what was where
• Metal detecting clubs (members share permission contacts)

Permission: The Most Important Step

Always get written permission for private property. Many landowners are happy to grant permission—they’re curious what’s on their land. Offer to show them what you find.

Permission Tips

• Knock on doors during reasonable hours
• Explain the hobby clearly
• Offer to share finds or give them first option
• Carry a permission form for them to sign
• Leave your contact information
• Follow up with photos of interesting finds

Remember: Your behavior represents all metal detectorists. Fill your holes, respect the property, and build relationships that last.

What’s your favorite detecting spot? Share your tips in the comments!