Utilizing a Vibratory Tumbler to Clean Metal Detecting Finds

Using a metal detector to hunt for treasures such as lost jewelry or old coins is one of the few hobbies that offer potentially significant rewards. That next signal may be a monster gold ring, key date older coin or priceless relic. However, in order to receive the pleasure of a great find you have to pay your dues. This means digging up your share of pull tabs, bottle caps, clad coins and miscellaneous junk.

Of course there is nothing at all wrong with clad coinage. It begins to add up. Jim Mack, a retired math professor, in Central Point, Oregon has kept an accurate count of all the coins he has found over his years detecting. Amounting to over 200,000 coins and representing over $20,000 in value he has certainly profited from the hobby. This doesn't include the value of jewelry and other goodies found while out searching for treasure. Most of the coins Jim has found are newer, with no numismatic value, as he routinely scours parks and schools for lost coinage

Many detectorists throw their coin finds in a jar with the idea of cashing them in someday. When the jar fills up they find another larger container. Those cans, jars and 5 gallon water bottles loaded with coins could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

If the coins have been in the ground for a while they begin to become discolored and the zinc US pennies (those minted after 1982) commence a fast process of deterioration starting with a crusty residue on the outside of the coin. Scrubbing the coin with a brush or abrasive usually doesn't fix the problem.

Cleaning those dirty coins found metal detecting can be a chore. A vibratory tumbler can clean hundreds of coins with minimal labor. These are actually designed for cleaning coins as well as nuts, bolts and other small metal objects. They are not designed for polishing rocks. Local Harbor Freight stores have a low cost 5 lb vibrator/tumbler which does the job. By the way ... if you ever buy a larger ticket item at this store be sure to look for a 20% off any item coupon. If you can't find a published coupon you can usually find one that you can print from a search on the web.

I actually use aquarium gravel as the tumbling media to clean the coins. Fill the tumbler about 60% full of coins. Cover with gravel. Vibrate for about an hour and a half. Let rest for about a half an hour to let the dust settle. Rinse the coins off and separate gravel for use next time. Once coins are dry you're ready to cash them in.

If you take your coins to a Coinstar machine they have a fee that amounts to almost 10% of the value of the coins counted. That's quite a chunk when you consider the volume of coins that an active detectorist finds. Another option is to roll the coins and take them to the bank but that's a heck of a lot of labor. That time could be better spent searching for more coins and treasures. The best option is to haul the coins in bulk to a bank that has a coin counting machine. Usually if you have an account at the bank the service is free of charge. Since you are taking them clean coins they will gladly accept them. The counter machine will automatically reject any damaged coins that are bent or just too far gone.

This is simply another aspect of the hobby of metal detecting - processing the finds. It's actually a fun winter or rainy day project. The transformation of yucky dirty coins into clean acceptable coins is pretty amazing. Big and small kids alike love it!

Cashing in coins found metal detecting can be a chore but a vibratory tumbler makes the task a pleasure!

References:

http://www.coinstar.com/US/WebDocs/A1-0-1