Metallic nanoclusters capable of providing an enhanced Raman signal from an organic Raman-active molecule incorporated therein are provided. The nanoclusters may be further functionalized, for example, with coatings and layers, such as adsorption layers, metal coatings, silica coatings, probes, and organic layers. The nanoclusters are generally referred to as COINs (composite organic inorganic nanoparticles) and are capable of acting as sensitive reporters for analyte detection. A variety of organic Raman-active compounds and mixtures of compounds can be incorporated into the nanocluster.