Metal Detecting Finds Worth Money: What to Look For

Every metal detectorist dreams of the big find. While most hunts yield clad coins and pull tabs, the hobby has produced some truly incredible discoveries—from gold coins worth thousands to historical artifacts that rewrote history.

Here’s what valuable finds you might uncover and what they could be worth.

Coins Worth Serious Money

Gold Coins

Gold coins are the holy grail of metal detecting finds. While rare, they’re found every year:

Gold Coin Type	Years Minted	Value Range
$20 Double Eagle	1849-1933	$2,000-$50,000+
$10 Eagle	1795-1933	$1,000-$25,000+
$5 Half Eagle	1795-1929	$500-$10,000+
$2.50 Quarter Eagle	1796-1929	$300-$5,000+
$1 Gold Dollar	1849-1889	$200-$3,000+

Silver Coins

Silver coins are more commonly found but still valuable:

Morgan Silver Dollar (1878-1921): $30-$500+ depending on date/condition
Peace Dollar (1921-1935): $25-$200+
Walking Liberty Half (1916-1947): $15-$300+
Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963): $12-$100+
Mercury Dime (1916-1945): $3-$2,000+ (key dates)
Barber Coins (1892-1916): $5-$500+ depending on denomination

Key Date Coins That Are Jackpots

Coin	What Makes It Special	Value
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent	First year with designer initials, low mintage	$700-$2,500+
1916-D Mercury Dime	Only 264,000 minted	$500-$20,000+
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter	First year, low mintage	$2,000-$15,000+
1943 Bronze Cent	Mint error, should be steel	$100,000+
1955 Double Die Cent	Famous doubling error	$1,000-$50,000+

Jewelry and Precious Metals

Gold Jewelry

Lost gold jewelry is found regularly at beaches, parks, and old home sites:

Gold rings: $50-$5,000+ depending on weight and stones
Gold chains: $100-$2,000+ based on weight
Gold earrings: Often singles, $25-$500
Class rings: 10K gold, typically $100-$300 melt value

How to Identify Gold

Look for stamps: 10K, 14K, 18K, 24K, 417, 585, 750, 999
Magnet test: Real gold is not magnetic
Professional testing: Acid test or XRF analysis for certainty

Historical Artifacts

Civil War Relics

Confederate belt plates: $500-$5,000+
Union belt plates: $200-$2,000+
Bullets and artillery: $10-$500+ depending on type
Buttons: $20-$1,000+ for rare units

Colonial and Revolutionary War

Colonial copper coins: $50-$5,000+
Revolutionary War buttons: $100-$2,000+
Continental currency tokens: $500-$10,000+

Native American Artifacts

Important Note: Many Native American artifacts are protected by law. Check ARPA (Archaeological Resources Protection Act) regulations before digging on federal land.

Where Valuable Finds Come From

Best Locations for High-Value Finds

Old homestead sites: Where families lived for generations, caches were hidden
Historic battlefields: Relics and dropped items (check legality)
Old swimming holes: Jewelry lost over decades
Fairground sites: Coins dropped during events over 100+ years
Old church grounds: Gatherings meant lost coins
Abandoned town sites: Ghost towns preserve history

Real Stories: Amazing Finds

The Saddle Ridge Hoard

In 2013, a California couple found 1,427 gold coins buried on their property while walking their dog. The coins dated from 1847-1894 and were valued at over $10 million.

The Staffordshire Hoard

In 2009, a detectorist in England found over 11 pounds of gold Anglo-Saxon artifacts, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found. Value: $5.3 million.

Roman Coin Finds

One AT Pro user reported finding 9 Roman hoards, including two silver Julius Caesar coins and one gold stater. Proof that persistence pays off.

What to Do When You Find Something Valuable

Document the find: Photo in the ground before removal, GPS coordinates
Don’t clean aggressively: Improper cleaning destroys value
Research before selling: Know what you have
Get professional authentication: For potentially valuable items
Understand tax implications: Treasure finds can be taxable income
Check local treasure trove laws: Some states have specific requirements

Realistic Expectations

While the dream of finding a gold hoard keeps us hunting, realistic valuable finds for most detectorists include:

Silver coins: Most common valuable find, $2-$50 each
Wheat pennies: Common but add up, $0.05-$0.25 each
Old jewelry: Occasional gold finds worth $50-$500
Indian Head pennies: Found regularly, $1-$10 each
Occasional key dates: That one wheat penny that’s actually a 1909-S VDB

The real value of metal detecting isn’t always monetary. The history you uncover, the places you explore, and the community you join make every hunt worthwhile—even when you’re pulling tabs.

What’s your best find? Share in the comments below!