Tuesday, November 12, 2013

11/12/13 Report - Very Small Half Reale, How to Recover Targets In a Rushing Surf, Million Dollar Items


Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

As I've been saying, cobs have been found.  As I said, I even heard of an escudo find.  I like to hear about finds and receive pictures of finds.  It helps me do a better job with the blog.

At one spot this week the cobs that were found were small and light.  The one below on the left, which I showed before, is about a half a gram.  The one on the right is a really small one and weighs even less.  It is also a half reale, or should I say fragment, and should weigh more like 1.7 grams.

Cob Shown a Couple of Days Ago With Another Smaller Cob
Found at The Same Beach

On the small one, in the top photo you can see the middle of the cross -  mostly what in the picture is seen as the vertical arm.

In the bottom photo, the other side of the small cob shows very little detail, but you can see what appears to be part of the bottom part of the S on the bottom part of the cob.

I mentioned before the round dot to the right of the S on the other cob (left), and I think I've read about a dot like that before but can't find any pictures of any similar cobs right now.  Does anyone know more about the circle?  If so I'd like to hear from you.

You probably know my position on small finds.  When you are getting small items, that is a good thing, because it tells you that you are probably not missing much.  I always say, focus on the smalls and the bigs will take care of themselves.

The smalls give off signals that are similar to deep items too.  So if you are finding small objects, chances are good that you are also finding deeper objects.  The signals for both, of course, will not be as loud as for big or surface targets.

As I've said before, when you are at the right place at the right time, most objects, especially coins, will be found near the surface.  I've discussed that before so I won't go into it more now.

A small item like the item on the right can slip through the holes of a scoop.  One of the dangers of working close to or in rough water is that when an item does slip through a hole or out of the front of a scoop, moving water can easily wash it away, never to be found again.  As a result, if you get a signal from what appears to be a small item, take extra care in recovery.  Don't let a wave wash it away.

Here are some things to do if you are working in an area like that.

Quickly pinpoint the object precisely and be ready to quickly put your foot on top of the object to prevent it from being washed away.

When you get the object in your scoop, consider moving up the slope and away from the water before sifting.

Keep sweeping over the object to make sure to it is still in place as the water rushes over it.

If you miss it with your first scoop, or if it washes through or out of your scoop, quickly try to relocate it before it washes farther away.  Track it as it moves.

Watch the way the water is moving items so you know which direction an item will move if it does get moved by the water.  Sometimes items will move up the slope, at other times down the slope, and at times either north or south.  Watch how the water is moving items before you get a signal, so you know which direction they'll be moved by the water before it happens.

Light thin objects such as aluminum will be moved farther more quickly by the water.  It won't take much water action for you to lose something like that in moving water.  If you know how the water is moving objects, you have a good chance of recovering it anyhow.

It is not a bad idea to toss a penny in the moving water before you start and see how it moves.  Then you'll have a good idea which way a lost target will move.


People pay a lot of attention to a lot of things, but one thing that is very much over looked that I have talked about it the effect of the size and shape of the object.  Coin shaped objects, for example, present a lot of surface area to the sand, and do not sink as quickly, as for example, rings.  They also present little vertical surface area to the rushing water.

Everybody tends to talk about weight, but shape is just as important in determining how objects move in water.  Take a look at my 8/5/13 report to read about an experiment proving that.


Bejeweled Faberge Figurine Worth over $5 million.


A Faberge hardstone figure was found last summer during a search of the attic of a Rhinebeck, N.Y., house included in an estate. A small, plain box was opened and inside was the rare carved figure sitting on silk lining labeled with the Faberge emblem. A December 1934 bill of sale from Hammer Galleries was also found. Armand Hammer bought many Russian treasures with the help of the Soviet government, which needed cash in the 1930s. The 7-inch-high figure of the bodyguard to Empress Alexandra was made of jasper, sapphires, nephrite, sardonyx, purpurine, gold, enamel and cachalong (a type of opal). It was estimated at $500,000 to $800,000 but sold for a record $5,980,000. The buyer was a Russian jeweler who buys for his store and for private clients. The auction was held Oct. 26, 2013, by Stair Galleries in Hudson, N.Y.




The above article is from Kovels.com.




Also from Kovels.com.



Close to 1,400 modernist artworks "confiscated" by the Nazis have been discovered in Munich. A tax collector's search for an 80-year-old man's assets raised questions, and the artworks were found in a dark room in his apartment. Some have already been identified as being among 16,000 known pictures confiscated as "degenerate art" by the Nazis. The newly discovered pieces, by Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Klee and other famous artists, are now being studied by experts. The 80-year-old, who inherited the paintings, drawings, prints and lithographs from his father--an art collector friendly with Nazi leaders--may have sold a few pieces to cover his living expenses.  Finding the original owners and returning the works of art will be a major legal problem.


I'm expecting an increasing surf the next couple of days, maybe up to seven feet again.  That could open up the windows of opportunity again.

Keep watching the surf predictions.  Besides the size of the surf, watch the wind and wave direction and the tides.  All of that put together will help you get an idea about when it might be a good time to check out the beach.  Of course, I'll also try to keep an eye on things and keep you informed.


I'll be posting a poll before long to see how much was found this November, which I think was the best month of detecting that we've had on the Treasure Coast for quite a while.  I'll bet that more was found this month than last year when Sandy passed the Treasure Coast.

If you appreciate this blog, contribute.  Send pictures, comments, questions, or whatever.  I try to read all emails and am always glad to have your participation.  

Some have asked why I don't allow comments in the blog.  The reason is that I have a hard time keeping up with them.  People respond to things posted years ago and I can't keep up with it all.   I might try screened comments someday.  If I can handle it, then I'll keep it.



Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net