Coin Retrieval Techniques In Grass
There are different tools for different jobs. These tools are for grass retrieval . It may not be a complete list of tools, but they are the tools that I have found that work.<o:p></o:p>
Probe, screw driver, ground shark, gator trowel, sun glasses, electronic probe, and handkerchief.<o:p></o:p>
Most coin’s can be removed from the grass areas in a lawn area or a athletic field by simply using a screw driver as a probe and once the coin is located with the probe, working it out of the grown with a screw driver. The screw driver doubling as a probe and the screw drive/ removal instrument. One instrument serves two different uses. <o:p></o:p>
Removal for this first technique goes like this: The coin is located using the detector. The pin pointing is done with that detector as per manufactures recommendations. Once the coins approximate location is located, the screw driver is pushed slowly and deliberately into the ground in an effort to find the coin. <o:p></o:p>
You will get better at determining if it is a rock or a coin once you have been at it for a while. Note: notice I said you push the screw driver into the ground slowly . You don’t need to be stabbing the ground. You are searching, take it easy. If you don’t you will scratch your coin. It could mean the difference in several hundred dollars if you have a rare coin under your coil. Trouble is you never know when this is going to happen.<o:p></o:p>
Once you locate the coin, gently enlarge the hole around the coin so as to work it out of the ground. <o:p></o:p>
How to enlarge hole: Withdraw your probe/screw drive, and gently insert it into the ground about a half inch away from the coins location and make a circular motion with your screw driver, after you have it berried to the handle. If this is done several times around the coin it will provide you with enough room to work the coin to the surface without damaging it. <o:p></o:p>
After the coin is removed, another nice trick is to re-insert the screw drive into the ground and push the hole openings closed from the outside, this can be done to some extent to give the lawn back it’s original appearance. You always want to close any holes that you make. <o:p></o:p>
I mentioned sun glasses, I like to wear a pair when I’m using a screw driver to retrieve coins. It seems, it’s always my luck to be prying up on a coin that gives way and I accidentally throws dirt in my eyes. That can ruin your day. <o:p></o:p>
One other item that I think every single coin shooter ought to have is a lock jaw shot from the doctor of your choice. I didn’t mention that you will run up in broken glass, rusty metals of all type’s and have the opprotunity to cut your self to hell and back, so wear gloves when you play in the dirt. I keep a pair handy but I don’t like to wear them a bunch because they get in the way, but if I’m working in the area the there is a lot of broken glass, and rusty metal, I don’t mind putting up with the minor inconvenience.
The only other item I have yet to mention is knee pads. They are a must. Please pick yourself up a pair. They are to cheap not to have them and use them. I use mine in the parks as well as any where else. If you have ever had a hurt knee, you won't even question this logic. A hurt knee will put you on the bench for a whole summer or longer.
v/r
HDJ
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Now, let’s cover the Plug Method. I like to use several instruments for plugging, it all depends where I am at, and how careful I must be. <o:p></o:p>
I use the Bowie Knife, it’s a good take off of the bowie knife, it has hack saw like teeth up close to the handle and the knife part looks life a knife , but with closer inspection you can see it is a spade shaped like a knife. <o:p></o:p>
I also like to use a Ground Shark. It’s a cup shovel that has a handle that is about 18 inches long . It also has the saw tooth construction on one side if the shovel blade. It is made out of steel, and has a life time warranty .<o:p></o:p>
There are also times when I just use a gator trowel . Most folks just use the gator trowel when they are working grass areas. This looks a lot like a regular garden trowel but is quite a bit beefier that the common garden trowel and once again this trowel has the saw tooth construction on the side if the trowel for cutting tree roots, if needed. <o:p></o:p>
It depends a lot on the ground condition for me as to which one of these tools I will use. The plug method is used on coins that are deep. What is deep? I would say anything over 7 inches. <o:p></o:p>
A lot depends on your skill at using your screw driver. Some wouldn’t use a plug in the grass for any coin unless that coin was over 10 and deeper.<o:p></o:p>
Anyway, having said that, here is how this method is done. Locate the coin with the detector as per manufactures recommendations. Once you have the coin pin pointed using the detector, set your screw driver at that point by gently inserting it into the ground. Then you can use the bowie knife, ground shark, gator trowel, or what ever your tool of choice may be. Just simply make a plug keeping your screw driver in the center of the plug. <o:p></o:p>
I like to use a drop cloth or a handkerchief to put the plug on. I lay the drop out next to the pug and simply left the plug from the hole and lay it on the drop. <o:p></o:p>
I like to use my bowie knife to cut open the bottom of the plug to find my coin. If I can’t find the coin I use my electronic probe to locate the coin. There are times when you will find that the coin had turned the same color as the soil, and it’s hard to see. You may even need to search the hole to find the coin, it may not be in the plug. <o:p></o:p>
Once you locate your coin, left the plug from the drop and place the dirt from the drop in the hole and place the plug back in the hole. Making sure that you match the plug to the exact way it came out . Always recheck your hole with your detector after retrieval . There may be more than one coin. <o:p></o:p>
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There are two things that you can do to insure the next guy will not get ran off for your behavior . Please take all the trash you dig with you, and cover your holes. <o:p></o:p>
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Happy Hunting<o:p></o:p>
High Desert Jim 
Using A Metal Coin Probe
By John Letson
I've used a probe for many years, and can tell you that after a LOT of practice, you CAN tell if you got a coin, piece of aluminum, or hitting a rock under the tip of your brass probe; a lot of the old time probe users can verify this. It's just a certain feel you develop over time using one of these.
Be sure it is a brass probe which does not have an extremely sharp point (but still sharp enough to penetrate the soil easily), as brass will not scratch a coin. In very rocky soil or very deep targets (usually greater than 4 inches or so), you got to dig, but where you can use it, pinpoint with your coil and carefully push the probe into the soil to locate the target. Once located, loosen the soil above the target by turning the top of the probe in a small circle and then "feel" your way, using the tip of the probe, to the center edge of the coin and start to pry it up to the surface. Sometimes working the coin a little in one spot and moving all the way around the edge in order for it to come up is necessary.
At times, you can turn it on edge and bring it to the surface easily. It's really something that each individual has to put their own "personal touch" to see which method works better for them. Like I said, it takes a LOT of practice, and is something that is not mastered overnight, but it is a great aide in getting you permission to hunt yards at old houses and doesn't leave a noticeable "scar" in well kept parks. Just "pinch" the dirt back together and your on your way! Matter of fact, some of the parks around here will let you detect ONLY if you use a probe of this type. To me, it's well worth taking the time to learn!
Good luck to ya!
Richard Conner
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.
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