Metal Detectorist Discovers Rare Coin Tester

Terry Amburgey, metal detectorist, recently wrote to Newman Portal The paper Amburgey refers to is contributed to Newman Portal by Malcolm Mathias in 2019. We reported Amburgey's find to Mathias, who responded enthusiastically.

Mathias writes.

These devices allowed users to verify the diameter, thickness, and weight of suspect U.S. and foreign coins. They are now collectible in themselves, and the rare 1860 Maranville detector is highly prized. A group lot in the 2018 Newman sale of counterfeit coin detectors, including an example of the 1860 Maranville device, realized $12,000.

Image: Dug Maranville 1860 Pocket Coin Tester

Link to Malcolm Mathias's publications on Maranville Coin Testers:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/booksbyauthor/534837

Link to Eric P. Newman example of the 1860 Maranville Coin Tester:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/imagedetail/607680