Science Question About Discerning Metal Alloys With Metal Detectors

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Author	Replies: 2 / Views: 2,644
Spence Moderator United States 32709 Posts	Posted 07/27/2016 8:02 pm Hi. I'm not a metal detector enthusiast, but I do have a question for y'all. I'm wondering how discerning metal detectors are for different alloys. For example, could one use such equipment to discern between silver and non-silver coins? The real question that I'm trying to get to is whether a $1K metal detector would offer a legitimate, relatively inexpensive option for determining whether a coin is actually silver or a fake. I know that XRF could be used, but am not looking to drop $20K or whatever on one of those guys. Thanks for your thoughts on this subject! "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff

Lunch Money Valued Member United States 270 Posts	Posted 07/27/2016 9:39 pm In a well-controlled environment, where you could eliminate other variables, I think you could use a metal detector in that manner. For example, I can pretty reliably tell the difference between a silver or clad dime before I dig it, based on the readout on the metal detector. Same with quarters and halves. I haven't been lucky enough yet to comment on finding dollar coins! Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 32709 Posts	Posted 07/28/2016 08:14 am Ok very interesting @lunchmoney. I'm imagining a (non-metal) surface with one coin on it and you would wave the metal detector over it, so yes a very controlled environment. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 2 / Views: 2,644

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