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I use this method only when you are not allowed to dig holes. Some towns have no digging laws on town property. This method if not done properly or without the proper tools can scratch the coin in the removal.

Again, I only use this method when I am not allowed to dig and the target is no deeper than 4 1/2' to 5' max. It will take some practice but you will be amazed with the results. If you already use a coin probe, it will be MUCH easier to learn. Pictured are the tools needed & the PDF is the How To. Do you use a rubber or plastic tip on the probe? I have scratched some coins with a brass probe. Maybe my brass is too hard, but any brass is harder than copper.

I have used an extended pair of needle nose pliers, they don't work too well, clog with dirt, never thought about using my hemostats, will have to try it. First I will put some electrical shrink tube on the jaws to prevent damaging the coin and hopefully they will still have enough grip to extract the coin. Thanks for the hemostat idea, I am not very happy with screwdriver popping the coins, that always depends on the soil and plants/roots as to how well it works. Do you use a rubber or plastic tip on the probe?

I have scratched some coins with a brass probe. Maybe my brass is too hard, but any brass is harder than copper.

I have used an extended pair of needle nose pliers, they don't work too well, clog with dirt, never thought about using my hemostats, will have to try it. First I will put some electrical shrink tube on the jaws to prevent damaging the coin and hopefully they will still have enough grip to extract the coin. Thanks for the hemostat idea, I am not very happy with screwdriver popping the coins, that always depends on the soil and plants/roots as to how well it works. Rip Game Boy Sprites Lightning. Hi mikusek, The brass probe I have is hardened with a round end. The hemostats usually don’t scratch the coins, I clip them tight so they don’t slip off while pulling the coin out, slipping off will scratch it. The ground can’t be hard, just like if you were to cut a plug in hard ground, not a good idea. I only use this method when I’m in that 'no dig' town. I figure if no one else can dig there may be a few nice items under the ground not so deep.

I would prefer digging but this allows me to hit some nice areas that would otherwise be off limits. Let me know how you make out. Thanx for posting. I can see how this might work in places where the soil is moist, and doesn't have much stones and pebbles. I can also envision someone still 'taking issue' with seeing you with ANY kind of implement. For example, I have heard of people who give a cop the lines of 'I am not 'digging', I'm only 'popping' ' The semantics are this: if they probe around, wiggle a slit, and stick their fingers (or a tool like yours, etc.), that technically, they define that as 'popping' not 'digging'.