1/18/17 Report - A Few Tips For Finding Modern Jewelry On Dry Sand Beaches.

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

Somebody mentioned that I hadn't talked about finding modern jewelry much lately.  That is true.  I've been talking more about shipwreck treasures and old things, so I decided to do something different today and talk about a subject that I haven't addressed for quite a while.

You can find a lot of jewelry on a beach, but more of it in the water.  Hunting in the water and in the wet sand requires a little more technique to do it well than working on the dry beach.  Yet there are some things that can help you find more jewelry even in the dry sand.

It goes without saying that most jewelry will be lost where more people frolic.  Both the quantity of people and their activities are important factors. And of course there is a vast difference in the quality of jewelry at different beaches. It is also obvious that you can't find much expensive stuff on a beach visited only by people of modest means. 

I mentioned volleyball courts the other day.  They are good places to find jewelry.  

Most of the people that I've seen detecting volleyball courts, detect the middle of the playing area.  I wouldn't skip that area, but you will find a lot to the back and well outside of the court itself.  Think about it.  Where do people dive after balls?  A lot of that happens outside of the boundaries.  And that is a place where things are often lost.  

Another place to check on a volleyball court is the area right around the base of the posts that hold the nets.  That is where people tend to lay things.  Then sand gets kicked over the items.  A lot of detetorists don't check that area, especially if the polls are metal.  You can make adjustments to detect where others won't or can't.

A third tip I have for volleyball courts is to look in the morning right after rain or watering.  Fine chains and other things are sometimes exposed.

You might choose to grid the busier areas.  Nothing wrong with that, but don't neglect the areas that a lot of other detectorists might neglect.  Beach chairs are often made of metal or have metal parts that make detecting difficult.  Many detectorists will not detect close  or under beach chairs because they don't know how.  You can learn to do it.  I also would always check where beach chairs have been moved.  Look at the tracks in the sand if they are still there.  Often a high tide or something will cause chairs that are normally in one location to be moved.

I've found a lot of pairs of ear rings around beach chairs.  That is the main place where there is a good chance of finding a matching pair.  It seems people take them off and lay them down or else drop them there.  They are often very good earrings.  Other places you'll usually just find a single earring.

When hunting dry sand, DON'T discriminate out watches!  There are Rolex watches and other valuable watches in the dry sand.  They won't likely be found real often, but there are more of them out there than you might think.  I don't know how they get buried, but they do.

Another tip that I've found productive is to detect very trashy areas that a lot of people will avoid.  

Get to know the life guards and beach concession workers.  They might tell you about items being lost and where.  I always remember the time when a fellow that rented jet skis and other water toys lost the keys before he opened for the day and said he'd give me fifty dollars if I found them for him.  I think this was back in the eighties.  I found them in just a few minutes and he gladly paid me.

Some of the old timers that I knew would sit where they could see what people were doing and where and then detect at the beach at the end of the day.  You'd be surprised how often you'll see people obviously looking for something they lost.  And often they'll ask you  if you can find it for them.

There are a few tips for finding jewelry in the dry sand.  All of those things hve been productive for me.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/10/15 Report - Water Hunting Compared to Beach Hunting. Mint Versus Well Worn Finds.

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

Intricate Gold Ear Ring Find.

I hear from all kinds of people.  I hear from a variety of top level experts, and I hear from people that are just thinking about giving metal detecting a try.  That makes it difficult to write for all of those kinds of people.  I mostly write about whatever is on my mind, and that can be far ranging, but sometimes I want to take time to develop a topic before writing.


Today I was thinking about the differences between water hunting and hunting the beach or dry land.  The differences are considerable.  I started detecting when I lived in South Florida.  The transition from hunting dry land to hunting shallow water was easy.  Then I spent a lot of time in the water - more than on land.

10K Mark.
That wasn't easy to see without magnification.

On the Treasure Coast a lot of the shallow water is off limits to metal detecting because of the salvage and exploration leases.  And the swimming beaches are not as busy as down south.  Down south you also have more big shallow water swimming areas where the water is pretty calm much of the year.  You also have all the big resorts and hotels.  Furthermore, the culture is very different, which is no small thing.

But comparing water hunting to dry land, water hunting is more difficult.  Of course you need water proof equipment, which is more expensive.  You have to deal with swells and waves.  Sometimes the water is so rough that it is simply impossible to hunt in shallow water - not only for safety but also to protect your equipment.

Digging a target can be difficult in shallow water, especially in rough water and when there are currents.  The holes can refill as quickly than you can dig them, and the currents can wash sand and items out of your scoop as you lift the scoop.  Visibility can be zero.

There are those annoying waves that slap you at the most annoying times almost like they know when that is.  Just staying put over the hole can be a challenge.

I enjoy rough water hunting, but it takes more skill and better rigged equipment.  With a little experience you can learn to comfortably hunt in very rough water.  In the past I've talked about some of my favorite techniques for doing that.

One thing that is very different is running a search pattern in rough water.  You can not control your coil as easily.  It can be difficult to execute a tight grid pattern with waves pushing you and your coil one way and then the other.  You can, however, learn to use the currents move your coil for you.

In the water your sweep speed will be slower.  On land you can whip a detector as fast as you want to.  In the water, you have the water resistance.  Compared to hunting on land it can feel like you are doing resistance training as you push a detector through water.

I've talked about finding the optimal sweep speed for your detector.  Your sweep speed will naturally be slower in water.  You might want to switch from a motion mode to a non-motion or pinpoint mode id your sweep speed is slowed too much.  You have to know how sweep speed affects your detector in order to know when it might be a good idea to make the switch.  

Those are some of the differences.  There are many more, but those are the ones I was thinking about today.

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Another topic.

The most valuable coins are usually those in the best condition.  And those in the best condition are those that have never been used.  They are in "mint" condition.

For me no coin is prettier than an old coin that has been well handled, smoothed by fingers over the years as it passed from one person to another and with a touch of patina in the depressions.

Coins in mint condition just don't have it.  All you see is metal on metal - sharp angles, and the same monotonous overall shiny surface.

I've noticed that my personal preferences and standards are less and less defined by others and less defined by estimates of value.  I like what I like, and sometimes what I like isn't worth much to the rest of the world.  

I would be surprised to find a mint or near mint condition coin.  The rarity of that would make it a little exciting, and the value might add some excitement, but it would not have the touch that I really like.  It wouldn't show the wear of daily use by men, women or children in their daily lives.

Beach finds don't show a lot of that most of the time.  The sand blasting and salt corrosion does away with a lot of that, but on rare occasions you can find something, maybe a religious medallion or gold crucifix, that shows how soft flesh with time and devotion wore down hard metal.  That is the type of thing I really like to see.  It is almost like shaking hands with those from another time.  Their touch was recorded.  And so is yours.

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On the Treasure Coast we have another day with a one to two foot surf.  If you have a place where you can work the shallow water, you might find slightly deeper water a little easier than working inside the breaking waves where you have a lot of bottom current.

The challenge of deeper water will be staying in place when the swells roll by.  That isn't all that difficult though, especially with the small swells and waves we've been having recently.  Learn to ride the swells rather than fighting them.  I've talked about how to do that in the past.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/22/15 Report - Code Of Conduct For Hunting On A Beach With Other Detectorists. Provide Your Input.

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

Russ P. thanked the blog and its readers for identifying his sword pin mystery item.  He went on to say, There is one topic I'd like to see addressed in your blog.  I don't think you've covered it before.  What are  I'm sure it is much different than mainland sites.  I wouldn't dream of encroaching on someone hunting mainland, but it seems much more acceptable on a beach-or is it?  For example, would you work a cut that someone else is working and, if so, at what distance.  

That is an interesting question.  Beach hunting is different from inland hunting and those that specialize in each are different.  Inland hunting involves getting permission and taking care of the property by filling holes and replacing grass etc.  Inland hunters are probably a bit more experienced on the whole.  They are interested in history and probably a more conservative group on the average,  A good number of land hunters are as happy to find some worthless rusted old relic as they would be to find a piece of gold.

I think beach hunters are a more diverse group.  Some beach hunters are just as experienced and just as interested in history, but among the beach hunters you also have a lot of beginners and some who are on vacation and look at it as a way to pass some vacation time a few times a year.  There is also a small group that are out there with the thought of nothing more than sniping a recently dropped ring.  So while there is some overlap of groups, on average I do think there are some differences.

You might remember the post I did not too long ago addressing the question of how things sink in dirt.  I assembled the various thoughts I received and posted them and gave a bit of a summary.  That worked well.   Maybe we can similarly develop some guidelines concerning beach detecting etiquette by putting our heads together.

I'll start by putting some hypothetical situations out there and see what you all think would be the proper conduct.  I need to hear what you think.   After I have everybody's thoughts I'll post representative ideas along with my conclusions.

Hypothetical situation number 1.   Suppose you arrive at a treasure beach and someone is already working a cut that you planned to work.    What should you do?  Jump in right beside them and start detecting?  Hurry around to get in front of them and start detecting?  Go the opposite direction?  Move on to another beach?  Think about it and let me know what you think would be the right thing to do.

Hypothetical situation number 2.  You arrive at the beach the same time as another detectorist.  You talk a short while in the parking lot and walk over the crossover.  You both see a promising cut.  What should you do?  Get your equipment on as fast as possible and try to beat the other guy to the cut or what?

Hypothetical situation number 3.   You see someone digging a bunch of holes in a dip or coccentrated area.  What would you do?   Hurry up and get down there and start digging right beside him trying to get whats left before he does, or what?

Those are just a few situations to get you going.  They deal with issues of encroachment.  You might think of other issues to address.

The one issue that has been thoroughly addressed for beach hunters  (even though there are still some violators) is the matter of filling holes.  I think everyone knows that you should fill your holes.  Some people just don't care.  And there are some situations when it doesn't seem necessary, such as when you are on a remote beach with no one around and the water will fill the holes in a few minutes anyhow.

Another issue might be discarding dug metallic trash on the beach.  That is littering and might not deserve mention, but some people do it.

Some people look at metal detecting as being very competitive.   There are a few who think that detecting is war and anything goes.  Some are just ignorant, but the vast majority are courteous and considerate.   I've had very few encounters with rude inconsiderate people, but it has happened.

There may be other issues besides encroachment that you want to address.  Feel free.

I'll give you a few of my thoughts with which you might agree or disagree.

While I don't believe that anyone is entitled to have an entire beach to themselves (they can't cover it all by themselves anyhow) I do believe you should give other detectorists some space, especially when they got there first.   How much space is another question.  That might depend on other factors.  Generally speaking I'd throw out something like 30 yards.

It is hard to put a number on it because there are other factors that you might want to take into account.  If two detectorists are walking along the beach in opposite directions they can pass very close to each other without any problem.  If there is detetector chatter, most people will try to minimize that.

If someone is working along a line, whether it is next to a cut or next to the water, I generally give them the line, at least for a good distance.

I'd say if someone found a good cluster or a coin hole or coin line, it should be their's to work.

If someone is working a well defined tight pattern, whether it is following a cut or working a grid, I'd say don't jump in on them.

If you give someone a certain amount of space no one seems to have a problem with that, but like personal space, the specific amount might vary from person to person.

There are other factors than space.  Some people might take up your time in one way or another.

If two detectorists are working two different zones, such as dry sand and wet sand, they can be very close in proximity without any feeling of encroachment.  They are working different areas.

Of course if you are causing detector chatter, you need to give them some more space.  That seems to be less of a problem these days.

If someone is wandering around in an apparently random pattern, I see no issue with encroachment unless you are right on top of them or following them around or something.

One time I arrived at a beach and another fellow (evidently a beginner) started talking to me as soon as he saw I had a detector.  He followed me around asking questions and wanting me to teach him what to do.  He followed me all the way down the beach.  I don't know why he thought I knew what I was doing but he attached to me and seemed to expect me to give him lessons when I had very limited time and just wanted to check the beach with the little time that I had available.  He wasn't encroaching on my space, but he was encroaching on my time.  I am limited in the time that I have available to hunt and highly value my beach time.

Another detectorist got insulted because I didn't stop and talk long enough.  I was on a tight schedule and had a lot to do that day.

There are a few thoughts to get you started.  How much space do you think you should give another detectorist?  What factors should be considered?  And what other issues should be addressed.

Thanks in advance for your input.

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The weather is good down in the Keys.  The Margruder is on the Santa Margarita wreck site, and the Dare will soon be there too.

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Not much new on the Treasure Coast. 

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@Comcast.net

5/5/14 Report - Grapeshot(?) Find, Free Civil War Ordnance Book and 1850 World Currency Values

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


Possible Grapeshot Found in Area of Jensen Beaches.
Find and Photo by Christopher P.
 

This rusted object was found by Christopher P. in the Jensen Beach area.  He thought it could possibly be a grapeshot and wondered if any one else had found a grapeshot in the area.

The area does have some good old history.  There are accounts of numerous Spanish gold coins found after a big storm in that area way back before detectors were being used.

I haven't seen that written about in treasure magazines or any of the treasure literature, but I have seen accounts of that.  The author who wrote the fiction book, Treasure Coast Gold.   has shown old photos and documents relating to that.


There is a table that gives data on round iron civil war shot.  Here is the link.

http://www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm

That table shows the allowable diameter for a 6 pounder being 1.14-1.17 inches and weight being 0.21 pounds.

The amount of corrosion on the dug item makes it difficult to measure precisely, but it seems to be a touch under that.

A great google ebook that you can access free on the internet is the following.  The Ordnance Manual for the Use of the Officers of the United States Army, 1861.

If you are interested in US military weapons, you'll love this book.  It has everything.  A very good research book.

Here is the link.

https://archive.org/details/ordnancemanualfo00unit

And the following table came from the same book.



If you want to identify weapons from the Civil War period or any of their parts down to the number of screws or bolts, you'll find it all in that book.


Here are the results of the most recent poll that just concluded.

1. On an ocean beach                    52(46%)
2. In the ocean                               21(18%)
3. Along inland waterway                9(8%)
4. In inland water                              8(7%)
5. Dry land                                       47(42%)
6. Did not detect this month             35(31%)

The first thing I wanted to see is how many people were detecting only one type of area.  There were 111 people who voted and 173 choices.  That means that on average respondents were detecting just over 1.5 of the places listed.  Put another way, about half the people were detecting one type of site, and about half two or more sites.  I know I need to ask more questions to make that more precise, but I think it is a fair rough approximation.  A lot of people seem to be detecting only one of the types of sites listed but about as many are detecting more than one. 

I often warn about the possibility of getting in a rut and recommend trying some different types of sites.  You will probably learn something new if you try another type of detecting.

The most detected place according to the results of this survey is the ocean beach.  That isn't surprising.  It is easy to detect ocean beaches and much of the Treasure Coast is off-limits because of salvage and exploratory leases.  However, I know from previous polls that many of the people who read this blog are not from the Treasure Coast and many live far from the ocean.

Less than half the number of respondents who detect on an ocean beach detect in the ocean.  Again, on the Treasure Coast a lot of the ocean is off-limits.

In some ways it is easier to detect on the beach, especially when the water is rough.  You also need a waterproof detector to detect anything but the most shallow water in the ocean.  That means more expense too.  However if you detect a busy tourist beach where gold jewelry is common, you will find much more gold in the water.

I'm going to end there for today and pick up with this tomorrow.

Locally we have about a two foot surf today and an East wind.  Not promising.

Let me know what you think about Chistopher's find or if you have found a grape shot or anything similar in the same area.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net