Fertilizer's Effect on Metal?

Coinguy19

Today I went to an old farm field to ask permission to hunt, the response I received was, "You don't want to detect here, all the metal you will pull up will be corroded due to the fertilizer". Since this is the first time I have ever asked to detect at a farm field I never really thought about the effect the fertilizer could have. Does anyone have experiences they can share that would prove or disprove this statement? I'm sure that it would effect some metals pretty heavily while not corroding other metals that badly, any thoughts are appreciated, thanks in advance!

millennium

I never have given it much thought...I figure if I can detect the area, I'll take my chances ...

ricko

It would depend on the fertilzer and the concentration.... Mostly, the field coins I have seen, are not greatly affected. Cheers, RickO

intocoins

Most often you will not be hunting the actual fields. You probably will want to hunt the area around the houses and out-buildings. I think you will find that these areas will be more lucrative. I'm sure if fertilizer was directly on most metals it would react badly. I would think that for the most part the fertilizer would be mostly diluted by the time it got to the metal from rain and what not. My father lives on a farm and spreads fertilizer annually and I have not seen a difference in these finds from any others. I think it might just be a case of- " I don't want you digging in my fields". Good luck and happy hunting.

Karb

Maybe if they use Anhydrous Ammonia for fertilizer it may react with certain metals. I would imagine it would eat up silver and gold.