Sometimes the best treasures hide in the most familiar places. Ron D. from Ypsilanti, Michigan proved this when he found a 1934 half dollar in his own backyard - a spot he'd hunted many times before.
The difference this time? Ron was testing his new Coiltek 10 x 5 coil on his Minelab Equinox 800 for the first time. This smaller coil gave him the edge he needed to find a coin that had been hiding under his nose all along.
Why the Coiltek 10 x 5 Coil Made the Difference
Ron's success highlights an important lesson for detectorists: different coils can reveal different targets in the same ground. The Coiltek 10 x 5 coil offers better separation in trashy areas and can pick up targets that larger coils might mask.
This elliptical coil design is particularly effective for:
- Hunting between obstacles like trees and fences
- Better target separation in iron-infested areas
- Improved sensitivity to small, deep targets
- Covering tight spaces that larger coils can't reach
The 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Ron's find is a 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar, one of America's most beautiful coin designs. These silver coins were minted from 1916 to 1947 and contain 90% silver, making them valuable both for their numismatic worth and precious metal content.
The 1934 half dollar had a mintage of over 6.9 million coins, but finding one in good condition with a metal detector is still an exciting discovery for any coin hunter.
Minelab Equinox 800 Performance on Silver Coins
The Equinox 800's Multi-IQ technology excels at finding silver coins like Ron's 1934 half dollar. The detector's ability to run multiple frequencies simultaneously gives it excellent depth and discrimination on silver targets.
For coin hunting, the Equinox 800 offers:
- Excellent silver coin detection at depth
- Superior target ID on corroded coins
- Multiple search modes optimized for different conditions
- Wireless headphones for better audio detection
Backyard Detecting Tips
Ron's find proves that your own property can hold surprises. Here are tips for successful backyard detecting:
- Try different coils - what one coil misses, another might find
- Hunt in different directions each time
- Vary your swing speed and overlap
- Focus on areas where people gathered: near porches, under old trees, around garden areas
- Research your property's history for clues about past activity
Get the Same Setup That Found Ron's Half Dollar
Want to duplicate Ron's success? The Minelab Equinox 800 paired with the Coiltek 10 x 5 coil makes an excellent combination for coin hunting in challenging conditions.
This setup is particularly effective for hunters who want to:
- Re-hunt previously searched areas
- Work around obstacles and in tight spaces
- Improve target separation in trashy ground
- Find deeper, smaller targets
Check out our selection of advanced metal detectors and accessories to start finding your own treasure. Whether you're hunting your backyard or exploring new sites, having the right equipment makes all the difference.
Find submitted by Ron D., Ypsilanti, Michigan
