Finding Canadian Coins with a Garrett AT Pro (Without Losing Your Mind)

Alright, picture this: you’ve got your Garrett AT Pro, your headphones are on, and you’re feeling like a modern-day treasure hunter. Today is the day. You’re gonna walk away with a pocket full of Canadian coins—maybe even a whole roll of toonies if the universe is feeling generous.

Except… after an hour, all you’ve got is bottle caps, an old nail, and what might be a cursed chunk of metal from a long-forgotten farm tool.

Sound familiar?

Yeah, Canadian coins are annoyingly tricky to detect. Unlike American coins, which are mostly made of copper and practically throw themselves at your detector, Canadian coins are full of nickel and steel. That means your AT Pro sometimes mistakes them for junk. But don’t worry—if you know how to actually use your machine right, you’ll start pulling up loonies and toonies instead of frustration.

Stop Ignoring the Good Stuff

So here’s the deal: if you’ve got your iron discrimination cranked up, you’re making a huge mistake. The Garrett AT Pro lets you tune out junk signals so you don’t waste time digging up garbage. But here’s the problem—Canadian coins can look like junk to your detector. That means if your discrimination is too high, you’re walking right past loonies, toonies, and nickels without even realizing it.

The fix? Turn your discrimination down. Or, if you’re feeling bold, turn it off entirely. Yeah, you’ll dig up more pull tabs, but you won’t be missing actual money.

Learn the Secret Coin Codes

The Garrett AT Pro has a Target ID system, which basically means it gives you numbers for everything it detects. If you memorize the right numbers, you’ll know when to start digging. Here’s where Canadian coins tend to show up:

Nickels → 45-50
Dimes → 42-46
Quarters → 82-84
Loonies → (One Dollar) 85-88
Toonies → (Two Dollar) 87-91
If those numbers pop up on your screen, don’t ignore them. That’s real money down there. Or, you know, another bottle cap. But there’s only one way to find out.

Pro Mode Zero Is a Game-Changer

If you’re still using the standard mode on your AT Pro, it’s time to level up. Pro Mode Zero gives you much richer audio feedback, which means instead of just hearing a generic beep, you’ll get more detailed tones that help you figure out if it’s a coin or just some random metal scrap. It’s like going from an 8-bit video game soundtrack to full-on surround sound—you suddenly have way more useful info.

Fixing the Dirt Problem

If your detector keeps giving you random ghost signals, it’s probably the dirt messing with it. A lot of Canadian soil is heavily mineralized, which can cause your detector to freak out and give you all sorts of false readings. The fix? Ground balance your detector. Just hold down the Ground Balance button, pump your detector up and down a few times, and boom—your machine will stop being confused by the ground.

Slow Down, Speed Racer

If you’re sweeping your detector back and forth at warp speed, you’re doing it wrong. The AT Pro actually needs a second to process what’s under the coil, and if you’re moving too fast, you might be skipping right over good signals. Take your time. It’s not a race. Unless, of course, you’re trying to out-detect your friend, in which case… slow down strategically.

Sensitivity: More is Good… Until It’s Not

Cranking up your sensitivity helps you find weaker signals, which is great for detecting low-conductivity coins like Canadian nickels. But go too high, and your detector starts picking up everything—random interference, ghost signals, possibly the stress of your life choices. Find a balance where you’re catching coins but not making yourself go crazy with constant beeping.

Final Thoughts (Or: Please Don’t Give Up and Sell Your Detector on Facebook Yet)

Finding Canadian coins with the Garrett AT Pro isn’t impossible—it just takes the right settings, a little patience, and maybe some stubborn determination. Yeah, you’ll still dig up some junk, but once you start getting the hang of those Target ID numbers and using the right mode, you’ll actually start finding those loonies and toonies instead of just disappointment.

And hey, even if you don’t strike it rich, at least you get to spend a few hours outside, digging holes like a very determined raccoon. That’s a win, right?

Happy hunting and don't forget "YOUR HUNT BEGINS HERE!"

~Windy Digger

Robin Paul Paré

Rob is a passionate metal detecting enthusiast with a deep love for uncovering lost history. But for Rob, it’s not just about the finds — it’s about the people. He thrives on connecting with fellow detectorists, sharing knowledge, and building a strong, supportive detecting community. Whether he’s out hunting solo, organizing group events, or helping someone new get started, Rob is always ready to dig in and make a difference — one signal at a time.

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