The Language of Metal Detecting

Like all sports or hobbies, metal detecting has a language that you learn over time. Here is a simple list

of terms that are common amongst detectorist, some are simple common terms while others are

colloquialisms. Here is a start for you, this list will grow in time.

Ag - The symbol for Silver as found in the periodic table of elements.

Au - The symbol for Gold as found in the periodic table of elements.

Bench test - A test carried out on a machine, a component, or software before it is released for use, to

ensure that it works properly. You will want to perform bench tests on your metal detector to get

familiar with it's response to various metals and the depths at which it reacts to metals. Place known

targets on the ground and swing your coil over the target, note the signal that is given, the numbers on

the readout and the tone emitted.

Bouncy - When a signal on your metal detector is not consistent it's said to be bouncy.

Can slaw - Common term for junk metal like aluminum cans and the pull tabs from the top of the can.

CLAD - A clad coin is a coin that has multiple layers of metal in it; most current U.S. and Canadian coins
consist of an inner core of copper or steel with outer layers of a silver-colored nickel alloy.

Coil -The coil is located at the bottom detector and is usually a monoloop (round) or double-D (DD) shape.

Electricity  flows down from the batteries in electronics through a cable in the handle to the transmitter

coil at the bottom. As electricity flows through the transmitter coil, it creates a magnetic field all around

it. When the coil passes over a metal object the magnetic field coming from the detector causes

another magnetic field to appear around the metal and it's atoms become excited. The reaction

created tells the metal detector that something is there and can indicate the type of metal or metals

that are there.

Discrimination - Modern metal detectors are capable of determining various types of metals and are capable of

discriminating between different target types. When you use discrimination your detector will be set to

ignore unwanted targets.

Ferrous metals - mostly contain Iron. They have small amounts of other metals or elements added, to give them

their required properties. Ferrous metals can be identified with a magnet as they will stick to the

magnet.

Ground balancing - Is a variable setting that increases detection depth in mineralized ground. This ground may contain

salts, such as in wet beach sand or fine iron particles, such as in red earth.

In the scoop - Beach detectorists generally use scoops made of mesh or plastic or metal with holes bored in them

to allow sand, water, and small objects to sift through while larger objects like coins or jewelry are

trapped in side. When a target is trapped it's said to be "in the scoop".

Large Cent - Modern 1 cent coins, or pennies, have a smaller diameter than the older coins. Large cents were

made of nearly pure copper, or copper as pure as it emerged from smelting, without any deliberate

addition of other metals. Large cents ceased to be minted in the U.S. in 1857 but continued in Canada

until 1920.

Low, Mid, and High tones - Detectors with three or more tones play higher sounds through their speakers the higher up the

discrimination scale you go, creating a sort of audible target ID. Mid and High tones are typically more

desirable targets.

Magnet fishing - Search in outdoor waters for Ferromagnetic object available to pull with a strong magnet, generally

tied to a cord or rope the magnet is thrown into the water and pulled along the bottom in hopes of

finding objects and pulling them ashore.

Non Ferrous Metals - metals, including alloys, that do not contain iron (ferrite) in appreciable amounts. Important

non-ferrous metals include aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium and zinc, as well as precious

metals like gold and silver and alloys such as brass.

Note: please leave a comment if you have anything to add to this list or if I've made any errors.