Single coil magnetostrictive force or strain sensors. The single coil sensors have one electrical coil to both excite the magnetrostrictive circuit and detect changes in the permeability of the circuit arising from forces applied to the circuit or induced to strain a portion of the circuit, The sensor may be instructed to sense either or both compressive or tensile forces applied to the magnetostrictive circuit. Thin foils or plating applied to non-magnetically permeable materials may comprise part or all of the magnetostrictive circuit to provide an exceptionally inexpensive and light weight structure for the sensor. A permanent magnet may be incorporated into the structure to provide a sensor capable of measuring dynamic force, especially those of impact, explosion and relatively high frequency.