Lots of scratches...

[smartmoney]

I have been noticing many people are hitting their coins while digging them out. I have a tip that may help some of you if you dont do this already. When I get a target lets say is 5" deep and I am pretty sure its a wheatie or silver coin, I will cut a plug with my Lesche and scrape out some dirt. The I will use my Sun Ray pinpointer to see where exactly the target is located in the hole. Then I break out my screwdriver and "chip" away little by little to reveal the target. I will then either pluck it out or use my fingers and grab it. So the coin is not damaged with this technique plus I love seeing a silver coin in the hole while still embedded in the ground. Hope this helps some of you!!

 

[CASPER-2]

I know a lot of shovel diggers that hit coins and other objects - I'm a knife digger
and I cut plugs and only hit coins that are on edge
I have a better record of not hitting objects since I got aGarrett pro pinter
and can locate objects easily still in the hole after initial plug is dug

 

[Newfiehunter]

Thanks for the advice Smartmoney and Casper. If you watch the Youtube videos, you see people scratching coins often. Pinpointers help eliminate the problem but with reckless digging there is a good chance you will scratch a nice find. It is a shame when you scratch a silver coin. I've done it on a couple of occasions and it is heartbreaking when you ruin what otherwise would have been another coin for the collection. Now I'm more careful.