12/28/18 Report - Old Foreign Coin Find. Beach Cam. Popular Posts of Year. Oldest U. S. WW II Vet Dies.

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

1900 Guatemala Half Reale

Find and photo by Robert H.

Other Side Same Half Reale.

This is a nice older (1900) Guatemala half reale found a few weeks ago by Robert H.

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Image on Jensen Beach Web Cam

Submitted by Alberto S.

Alberto was checking some beach cams and noticed this piece of wood washed up on Jensen Beach.

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As the new year approaches, it is common to take a look back.  It can be good to take stock to see where you are at and what you might want to improve.

The number 1 most-read 2018 post concerned the issue of beach access.  It gave a list of Florida congress people to contact regarding proposed legislation that was said to threaten beach access in Florida.

Posts about the Curse of Oak Island TV show were always popular.  At least they got a lot of hits.

One regular reader wrote and said the most amazing thing about the Oak Island show is that real treasure hunters admit watching it.

It is a popular TV show, and, as I said, the posts about the show get a lot of hits.  I don't know if those hits are by the regular readers of this blog or not.  I suppose those posts pick up  people that Googled the TV show and found the link to this blog.

I watch the show occasionally when I run across it and sometimes turn it off, but I've also been known to watch the Three Stooges too.

The readers of this blog are discerning.  After the "crossbow bolt" was found, I immediately got emails saying it was likely something else.  I had the feeling it could be something else too, and showed examples that were unlike the one shown on the program, but I hadn't done enough research to proclaim what it was or wasn't.  Many of my readers are sharper than the "experts" on the show.

For me, the show provides a lot of examples.  Many of the examples are negative, such as the unfocused search strategies and wild and unsupported interpretation of finds.  You can think about, discuss and learn from such things even if they are scripted, setup or totally fake.  Having graduate degrees in the field of psychology and having done research in the field,  I'm always interested in the psychodynamics too.  What the participants are doing, how they approach things and how people react to them.

In any case, like I said, no matter how good or fake the program is, people watch it and discuss it, and possibly even learn something as a result.

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The oldest man in the United States and oldest veteran of World War II dies at 112.  He credited God, whiskey and cigars for his longevity.

Here is the link.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/28/oldest-man-in-us-richard-overton-dies-aged-112

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Source: MagicSeaWeed.com

The peak surf is over.  The wind is now from the south.  As you can see the surf will be decreasing for a few days.

I took a little walk and picked up a vintage painted-label Hires Root Beer bottle.  Didn't see much else.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/17/18 Report - Bluetooth Hoard Found By 13-Year-Old Detectorist. More On Beach Access Legislation. Older Paper Money In Circulation.

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

Source: TheGuardian.com link below.

A 13-year-old boy and an amateur archaeologist have unearthed a “significant” trove in Germany which may have belonged to the Danish king Harald Bluetooth who brought Christianity to Denmark.

René Schön and his student Luca Malaschnitschenko were looking for treasure using metal detectors in January on northern Rügen island when they chanced upon what they initially thought was a worthless piece of aluminium.

But upon closer inspection, they realised that it was a piece of silver, German media reported.
Over the weekend, the regional archaeology service began a dig covering 400 sq metres (4,300 sq ft). It has found a hoard believed to be linked to the Danish king Harald Gormsson, better known as “Harry Bluetooth”, who reigned from around AD958 to 986...

Here are two links for more about that.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/treasure-of-legendary-danish-king-bluetooth-unearthed-in-germany

https://www.livescience.com/62323-king-bluetooth-treasure-found.html?utm_source=notification

Another good archaeological find made by a young detectorist.

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Here is what FlaglerLive had to say about the beach access bill signed by Governor Rick Scott and how Flagler County is responding.

Your free access to many beaches in Flagler County is not so free anymore. A new law that easily passed both of Florida’s legislative chambers and that Gov. Rick Scott signed in March bars local governments from unilaterally enacting ordinances that protect the public’s “customary” use of beaches in front of private property.

Starting July 1, governments that want to adopt such ordinances much go through a laborious process and essentially have a legal action involving every beach-front private property owner, proving to a judge that the public has customarily used every one of those parts of the beach for a long time...

Here is the link.

https://flaglerlive.com/120856/beach-access-florida/

If you've been trying to figure out what the bill will or won't do from the articles that appear in the press, this on might help clarify a few things.

Thanks to Brian B. for that link.

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A lot of people check their change for older coins, but it might also be a good idea to check your paper money as well.

I cashed a check the other day and got a couple fifty dollar bills, and they turned out to be older bills.  They were 1990 series, which doesn't seem old for coins, but it can make a difference in paper money.

1990 Series Fifty Dollar Bill.

I found these are offered on eBay for $65 or $75 dollars.  I don't know how well they sell at that price.

The first thing that stuck out to me and told me these bills were older is the small 50 within the circle.  There are other differences, of course.

A couple things to look for are low serial numbers, and star bills.  Star bills are sold for a more.  The last letter in the serial number would be a star rather than the "B" you see above.

As with all collectibles, condition matters.

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We are having a small surf and some good low tides.

Expect the surf to increase a bit Thursday.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/13/18 Report - Beach Access Petition. Cheating Die. Gilt Ring. How To Find Out What Facebook Has On You.

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

Copper Alloy Ring With Very
Slight Amount of Gilt Remaining.

Most of the gilt was present before cleaning, but most came off.  There are no markings on the ring that I've been able to see.

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"Over 30 dice from the Middle Ages have been found in Bergen over the years so the discovery of a dice in itself is not very surprising. This dice is, on the other hand, special," wrote a team of archaeologists from the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research on its website. 

A normal dice has only one number (usually represented by a dot) on each of its six sides, ranging from 1 to 6. But not this dice.

"The dice from Vågsbunnen has two fives and two fours, instead of the numbers one and two. It is therefore very likely that this has been used to cheat in games," the archaeologists wrote...

https://www.livescience.com/62273-cheating-medieval-dice-norway.html

It seems remarkable to me how die found in many distant places and coming from many different time periods are so similar.

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As I explained before, there is a lot of confusion around the beach access issue.  I posted parts of one article that shows how the media is to some extent responsible for that.  I also explained that I am not I'm not going to try to explain any bills or anything like that.  I will post other peoples opinions and positions on the beach access matter.  Sherry Y. had the following to say.

Well, my representatives have not bothered to return my emails, and I can't say that I'm surprised. .I am a registered voter in Brevard County, so the surprise may be on them when they are up for re-election.  

There is now an internet petition concerning public beach access.  Here is the link if anyone is interested:

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/351/345/024/keep-florida-beaches-public/

It already has nearly 30,000 signatures.  We may not be able to get this particular bill repealed, but those clowns in Tallahassee might think twice before they try to pass another law restricting public access to our beaches.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Sherry Young

It seems that most of the representatives have not responded to comments and inquiries.  Maybe a lot of them do not understand the impact or care about it.  For some reason many of them are not responding to the public.

As I said before, I think it is good to let your representatives know your feelings about the importance of public beach access regardless of what any particular bill would or wouldn't do.

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One reader of this blog is selling the largest lot left on ocean in all Flagler County.  I don't do advertisements but am making this one time exception.

The price is 1.4 million for the entire lot - 168 feet wide x 250 deep. Direct ocean front. Or 1/2 of it for 700k .......84 feet wide x 250 deep. It is 5 miles North of Flagler Beach Pier and in the County. City water,sewage, cable, etc....No HOA. County zoned. It has no seawall currently but could be applied for through DEP.  Contact btboice@gmail.com.

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I don't know if you watched Zuckerberg being interviewed by Congress, but if you are interested in finding out what Facebook knows about you, check out this link.

https://www.howtogeek.com/346197/ever-wonder-how-much-facebook-knows-about-you-here%E2%80%99s-how-to-see/

As I've said, I don't do Facebook.

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I may have found the first gold coin from one 20th century site that I've been seeking.  Maybe more on that some day soon.

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Don't expect any big changes at the beach this weekend.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/11/18 Report - Florida Rep Responds To Beach Access Issue. Figural Bottle. Traveling Bottles.

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

Figural Cologne Bottle
Photo submitted by Scott B.

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Joe P. received a response from the Florida representative that he contacted concerning the beach access issue.  As I've said, I'm not going to play attorney and try to explain House Bill 631 or what I think it will or will not do.  There is much confusion about the bill.

Part of the confusion and problem comes from the fact that the bill, like most legislation, isn't easy for the average person to read and understand, and the articles that have appeared in the media are not totally accurate or clear.  In fact I'm sure the articles are responsible for a large part of the concern and confusion.  I'll give you an example of that later.

Here is the note Joe received from his representative.

Joe,

Thank you for your email. I always appreciate hearing from my constituents on the issues of importance to them.

I want to share with you a news story from Jacksonville that was posted last week. I believe it does an excellent job explaining what the bill actually does and does not do. Should you have any questions after reviewing it, please feel free to send them to me. 

https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/leaders-clarify-how-new-law-will-affect-your-access-to-florida-beaches

Best,
Bill Hager

I hope you will read the entire article, but here is a brief excerpt from that article.

But after backlash online from people who are worried it will give owners the right to kick people off public beaches, local leaders are trying to set the record straight.

State Rep. Cord Byrd, whose district includes Duval and Nassau County coasts, told News4Jax on Thursday that it's complicated, but to simplify it, those who own property on the beach generally own the land up to the sand dunes, which are protected by the state and are off-limits.

Byrd said the wet sand in between the water and the dunes is public property, and beachgoers have a right to access it. He said the new law doesn't change that...

The public is speaking up and making it clear that they are concerned and do not want beach access to be restricted.

The article is helpful in tone, but leaves much to be desired.  I do not believe they really mean "wet sand."  I would guess that what they really mean by that is the beach up to the mean high tide line.  However, if the "wet sand" or "beach up to the mean high tide line" is all the public will have access to, that would indeed be a BIG reduction in the amount of beach that the public will have access to.

The third or last sentence in the excerpt above, I think would be more accurate if the word "wet" was omitted, so it would read, ..the sand in between the water and the dunes is public property, and beachgoers have a right to access it.  It appears to me that the reporting has caused a lot of the confusion and turmoil.

Without telling you what I think the law will or won't do, or guess any more about what the article was trying to say, I'll just say that the public is making itself heard and at least some of the law makers have taken notice.  And regardless of what the law will or won't do, it is good for citizens to let their representatives know their concerns.  Joe's representative certainly responded more politely than some of the other representatives that I've heard about.

This isn't the kind of thing I like to write about.  In fact I don't like to write about it, however I think it is necessary because of the importance of the issue and the confusion and concern surrounding it.

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Scott B. sent me the photo of his friend's cologne bottle at the top of the post.  It still has a label on it, so he knows exactly what it is.

The locomotive bottle I found was only half the size of the cologne bottle, but could also be a scent bottle if it isn't a candy bottle.   The small size would make me think perfume rather than cologne, and I have a found a lot of small perfume bottles in the area, but the locomotive would seem to me to be more likely for a male than female.

Thanks for the email and photo Scott.

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Here is an email I received from one reader concerning bottles and bottling plants.

I've enjoyed the mention of bottling companies in your blog over the past few days.  It is a rich history-and a personal one for me.

My great-grandfather started a Coca Cola bottling company in Kissimmee in 1909 or so.  Three generations operated the plant until it was sold to Orlando in 1970.  It is a little hard to fathom now, but the bottles were recycled and refilled at the local plant until they wore out.  My father has told me many stories about the process, since he worked at every station as a teenager!

This is something I find extremely interesting.  It is easy to imagine Coca Cola bottles traversing the country in much the same way as a coin.  My dad tells me that more than half the bottles were from another location at any given time-many from out-of-state-unless they were filling a bunch of recently delivered new Kissimmee bottles.  The bottles traveled in cars or by other means until they were recycled at the local bottler for 2 cents.  They were then cleaned, refilled with Coca Cola, sold and the travels started again.  This is why it is not unusual to find a bottle far from where it originated.

Fascinating!

Russ P.

Thanks much Russ.  I had no idea how many local versus out-of-area bottles would be processed at a plant.  Glad to have that information.

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Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

As you can see the surf will increase a bit tomorrow.  Nothing real exciting, but it could be enough to move some sand in some areas.

The tides aren't big now.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/5/18 Report - Who To Contact Concerning Florida Beach Access Issue. Beaches This Morning.

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

Here is what Turtle Trail looked like just before noon today (Thursday).

And below are two views of Pepper Park.

 Snow birds and beach goers at Pepper Park near noon this morning.

As you can see, there was no erosion to be seen at that time.

The surf is supposed to increase tomorrow up to 3 - 5 feet.

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The following is an email I received concerning the issue of Florida allowing beachfront landowners to restrict access to their property.  See the special 4/3 post on that topic in this blog to see various media articles on the topic.

As I said, I will not personally comment on the wording or interpretation of the legislation, but I will share comments and opinions from other readers.  Below is one email I received from
Sherry Y with Florida representatives to contact.

Hi TG,

I've shared this on FB and thought you might be interested.  These are the Florida State House Reps who voted for this thing:

​And this is the Senate list:

Here is the note I sent my Rep:

​ Mr Altman,
I noticed that you recently voted to restrict public access to our Florida beaches.  I view this as a first step to making all the beaches in Florida the private property of wealthy landowners and hotels.  Please be advised that I will remember your vote when you are up for re-election.  I have also published a list of the voting records of all Florida legislators on Facebook and other social media so that other voters can voice their opinions on this matter.
Regards,
Sherry Young

Ms Debbie Mayfield doesn't publish her email (I wonder why) so I'll have to call her office.

Feel free to share any of this you think might be useful. The only way we'll get their attention is to threaten to take their jobs away.

Thanks!

Sherry Young



The salvage community should be concerned as well.  If landowners extend control of their land seaward, there will be more suits against salvage companies, especially if they choose to work close in.  There has already been action by beach front owners against salvage efforts in front of their property.

Below is another email from Sherry.




Here is the handy website for people to find their Reps:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx

I wonder how many of them were paid off by the big hotel owners?

Many of the politicians and their friends and backers own beach front residences and properties.

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The wind increased this morning and changed direction for a while. It looks like the wind will only be from the north for a short time.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/4/18 Report - Small Out-Of-The-Way Beaches. Pirate Sam Bellamy's Bones Discovered? Ballast Turned To Stone Tools.

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

Photo source: FloridaStateParks.org

Besides the ocean beaches, there are other swimming areas that you can find.  They can be small and hidden and much less busy than the ocean beaches.  Those types of beaches were always good to me.

I was reminded of that by some of my old records.  I noticed one entry for Oleta River that recorded three finds for one visit, including one small 14K women's band, 1 small 14K St. Christopher metal, and 18 K post earring.  That was quite a few years ago and I don't think it was then a state park, and if it was, it wasn't developed.  There were no pavilions or anything that I recall, just one small sandy beach and one weedy beach area, and a small fishing pier.  There was a rumored pirate ship sunk not far from there though I never saw any evidence of it.

There was no one there when I detected that beach.  Not a single person.

I was using the modified Nautilus 527 (I think those are the right numbers), which was a super detector.  I think the best I ever had for detecting gold jewelry.

One of the things that you will often find at small beaches like that is a nice sandy beach area, and then not too far away, usually just around the bend, a weedy overgrown beach that looks like it was never used much, if at all.  Those weedy areas have never failed me.  They will usually have some junk, but that always produced at least one piece of gold.

I can think of several small out-of-the-way beaches like that which I detected, and all with good results.

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Human bones were found in the Cape Code peninsula in Massachusetts where the Whyday Gally ship went down in stormy seas in 1717  Researchers are working to determine if they belong to infamous pirate Samuel "Black Sam" Bellamy...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5407933/Has-body-Captain-Black-Sam-Bellamy-found.html

Thanks to Dean R. for the link.

I seriously doubt that it is Bellamy's body, but interesting story anyhow.

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... But recent research has also given more insight into how Aboriginal groups used some colonial technology to their advantage, heritage experts say.

Archaeologists believe that indigenous tribes crafted traditional tools from flint cobbles that had been used as ballast on British ships, following the arrival of the convict vessels during the late 18th and early 19th Centuries...

Here is the link or more about that.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-43551015

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I recommend that you read the special post with links to articles about Florida allowing beaches to be controlled by beachfront property owners.  That could mean that the property owners could prevent access to the public.  I posted that yesterday.

That is something that would hurt Florida and the public in general.  Become informed and make your voice heard.  You probably paid for beach renourishment and other erosion control efforts to protect that same property.

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Today and tomorrow the surf will be only about two feet.  On Friday it will increase to 3 -5 feet, then decrease again.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

Special Post on Florida Beach Access Issue: Will Florida Privatize Beaches? Don't Allow It.

Special Post on Beach Access Issue.

I'm posting a number of links on articles about beach front owners being able to make their beaches private.  They were sent to me by SuperRick (Thanks Rick).  Hopefully people will come together to protect access to our beaches.

I'll post various opinions and comments on the subject and provide communication, but I will not attempt to interpret the law.

Below is what Rick sent me.

Well, we all have been screwed by our Gov. Rick Scott when he signed the bill that will allow fences to be put up on our beaches. What is going to happen when we are paying to renourish the beaches for private owners?

Our we going to stand up and protest this law before it goes into effect? Just think about it the next time we head to the beaches we may not have access to those beaches!

  https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/2018/03/28/gov-rick-scott-signs-bill-affecting-public-access-private-beaches-florida/465452002/


Here are more stories.

https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2017/11/18/who-owns-floridas-beaches-private-landowner-rights-can-clash-public-beach-access/866957001/

http://news.wfsu.org/post/beach-private-or-public-lawmakers-want-courts-decide

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20160409/property-owners-beachgoers-battle-over-public-beach-issue

3/13/15 Report - Public Access To Florida Beaches and Waterways. Minelab GoFind Metal Detectors. Mystery Object Again.

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

New Minelab Detector

Minelab is marketing a new series of less expensive metal detectors, the GoFind 20, 40, and 60.  The design is attractive, though it reminds me quite a bit of the Garrett ATX (appearance only, functionally it is nothing like the ATX).

You pay for what you get.  The 20 is the least expensive and has the most basic features that you need to get started.  The 40 and 60 provide additional functions.

The 20 might be a good inexpensive detector for a beginner.  The 40 or 60 might also be a good inexpensive first detector.

Here is the Minelab link for more details.

http://www.minelab.com/__files/f/264637/4907-0802-1%20Brochure,%20GO-FIND_EN%20Universal%20A4%20%28for%20web%29.pdf

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Add caption

Concerning the mystery scimitar object again, David S. said,

  The photo of the backside of the sword tip shows a hook to capture the end of a hinged needle that was on the other end.

  I have seen these before on older costume jewelry pins and broaches.  The hook makes it difficult to remove the needle because the needle must be pushed to the side to clear the entry of the hook. A hinged needle is necessary to have with such a hook because it moves in a narrow plane.

  The piece could be a hatpin or a could be used on a narrow tie by piercing the fabric in the back of the tie to hold it up on the tie and then the blade would lay against the face of the tie.  It looks wide enough to work that way depending on the tie style of the day.

Looks to me like that is right. 

To the right and below is a picture of a iron drawn wire safety pin like those made in the 15th Century. 

To the left is a 19 Century drawing from a patent application.

Notice Fig. 2 on the left, particularly the part called the hatch, which is the hook.

Both of these pictures are from a wonderful web site.  Here is the link.

http://museumofeverydaylife.org/exhibitions-collections/current-exhibitions/a-visual-history-of-the-safety-pin

I feel pretty sure now that the mystery object was a pin of some sort.    I enjoy the sometimes slow process of discovery.  At each step you learn something new as you get closer to the whole truth.

In my March 2 post, Kenneth H. gave us the great phrase "the will to discover."  I think that is a big part of it.  I don't have either the space, time or the ability to begin to do that topic justice.

The joy of discovery is a big part of the joy of life.

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The subject of accessibility came up the other day.  Some fancy hotels or resorts (and others) will discourage the public from coming onto "their" beach.   In Florida the waterways (almost all bodies of water, and certainly all navigable waterways, ocean and otherwise) are state owned.  The public therefore almost always has right of access to the water and land below the "high mean water line."  You are allowed to walk along the waterways adjacent to private property as long as you are below the high mean water line. 

It might be difficult to determine where the high mean water line is, but you can usually get a decent idea just by the look.  However, the state conducts surveys, and sometimes you can actually see survey markers.

In some places along Indian River Drive for example, the properties extend down to the lagoon.  If you walk along the intercoastal at some locations, you will be able to see a number of survey markers along the river.

The high mean water line changes over time.

Here is link to a web site giving some explanation of the significance of "high mean water line."

http://www.floridageomatics.com/publications/legal/mhwl.htm



In addition to the area below the high mean water line, just because someone doesn't want you on a beach does not mean that you have no right to be there.  A lifeguard at a private beach club once told me that I couldn't detect there.  I called the county office and learned that I had every right to be there back to the markers where the beach was renourished with public funds for public use.

 

It is good to know your rights, but I still do not recommend confrontation.  There are usually more subtle ways to go about things.  I won't put those out there.  You'll have to do some thinking.

Obey the law.  Know your rights and avoid confrontation when you can.

Matthew 10:16 says, " ...Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

 

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On the Treasure Coast we have something like a four foot surf today and more southerly winds.

 

Happy hunting,

TreasureGuide@Comcast.net