12/13/19 Report - Looking More Closely At Your Coin Finds For Fun and Profit. Coin Chips and Cracks. Surf's Up.

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

Potosi Half Reale From Jupiter Beach.

I enjoy studying my finds.  Sometimes it is more than fun.  Occasionally it can be profitable.

When you look more closely at your coins you can discover all kinds of things.  For example on the Potosi half reale shown above, one thing that might jump out at you is the multiple impressions of the S at the bottom of the coin.

When you look at a cob this closely, you can see some of the workmanship of the fellow that cut the die and you might also see artifacts of the minting process.  That brings you closer to the person who made the die and the person that punched the coin.

Closer Look at the Multiple Impression of the S on a Potosi Half Reale.

Unfortunately most beach found cobs are worn and corroded so you can't see the details very clearly.  The side of the cob shown above was complete covered by a thick crust of sand, which preserved the details.

Think for a minute about the man that created the die.  He had to carve the design into the steel die.  Each of those dots was hand carved into the die.   Then the die was used to punch the cob.  

Some of the details you see are the result of workmanship, but some are the result of accident.  I don't know now if the multiple impressions of the S were made by multiple strikes, a bouncing die or recutting of the die.  Perhaps someone can tell me.  I was told something about that at one point but forget now.

Another View of the Same Cob.

It looks to me like the dash in the middle of the monogram might have been recut. Again, maybe  a more knowledgeable person can tell me for sure.

Modern coins also show a lot of interesting details if you look at them very closely.  You might see die chips or cracks, for example.

Below are a few examples.

Die Chips on the Face of Roosevelt.

Modern Roosevelt dimes often show die chips.  On the dime shown above you can see die chips on Roosevelt's cheek, beside the corner of his mouth and above his eye.   I have found numerous examples showing die chips on Roosevelt's face, often more obvious than those shown above.

Roosevelt dimes also often show die chips on the reverse on the olive and oak branches.

Die Chip on Oak Branch on Reverse of Roosevelt Dime.

You can see the die chip between the lower right branches of the oak branch in the picture above.

Die chips are also often found on recent Jefferson nickels.  Below you can see a small die chip between the e and r.

Small Die Chip on Jefferson Nickel.

Die Chips on the O, T, and S.

Above is another example of a Jefferson nickel showing die chips.  There are die chips on the O of Montecello as well as on the T and S in CENTS.

You can also find a lot of die cracks on modern coins if you look closely.  Many memorial cents show a die crack running from a corner of the memorial building to the edge of the coin.

Below is shown a die crack running down the steps and then to the edge of the coin.  Those are very common and insignificant.

Lincoln Memorial Die Crack.

A die crack will be raised on the coin.  It is caused by a crack in the die - not the coin.

Here is a larger and more significant example of a die crack that is actually cataloged.  This die crack runs from the edge of the coin all the way down to Lincoln's neck.

Crack Running From Edge of Coin Down to Lincoln's Chin.

By far my best die crack find is a die crack with retained cud.  A cud is a die break that has not yet fallen out.  You can find that coin cataloged online as well.

My point today is that you can get more enjoyment out of your coins and possibly find a coin worth some decent money if you look at your coin finds more closely.

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The surf is up a bit - maybe up to six or seven feet.  I hope to get out today to inspect some beaches.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/9/18 Report - Looking More Closely At Common Modern Coin Finds: One Mint Error Example. Beach Cut and Unfilled Holes.

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

Pepper Park North

Photo by Dale J.

Dale J. was at Pepper Park yesterday and saw this old cut.  He said there was a lot of soft sand.

He also pointed out the holes that he filled.

Holes Filled by Dale

Photo by Dale J.

Thanks Dale.

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1984 P Snowing Mint Error.

Can you see a mint error on this dime?

There is one.  See if you can find it.

Here is  closer look at the error.

1984 P Dime Close Up View.

Notice the crown bottle cap like design on the coins rim.  That is not part of the intended design.  It is a minting error referred to as "collar clash."

As you probably know, coins are made using one die to create the obverse impression and another die is used to create the reverse impression.  That is the way it has been done since colonial times.  The big difference now is that the process is mechanized and the coins are not hand struck.

An anvil die is usually used to make the reverse design, and the punch die is used to make the obverse design.  The obverse is the side shown above with Roosevelt on it.

The anvil die is usually on the bottom, and the punch die is struck or forced down on the metal.  In Spanish colonial times, that was done by hand with a hammer.

One of the big differences between Spanish colonial cobs and modern coins is that the minting process now involves a third die.  The third die is the collar.

The collar is a circular piece of hardened steel which acts as the wall of the coining chamber, which provides the impression for the uniform circular outline around the coin. As its name implies, the collar prevents the striking pressure from spreading onto the flange. Apart from preventing imperfect strikes, the impression on the coin's edge (either as a recess or raised inscription) deters forgery or clipping (an illegal paring of metal from the circumference of the coin). The dies impress the various designs and devices on the obverse and reverse for the coin while the collar forms the edge of the coin. The collar, which is five-thousandths of an inch larger in diameter than the dies, is mounted on springs which allow slight vertical movement...

(Source: https://www.fleur-de-coin.com/articles/coin-striking)

A collar clash represents damage to the rim gutter of the die from contact with the collar. It shows up most clearly in reeded issues, where it takes the form of serrations along the top or the edge of the design rim. In an off-center strike, a collar clash will appear in the form of parallel grooves in the “slide zone”.

Collar clash is far more common on the hammer die. It occurs when a temporarily misaligned hammer die collides with the top of the collar and/or scrapes along its working face...

(Source: http://www.error-ref.com/collar-clash/)

The collar clash is shown on the obverse of the dime above.  It would therefore have been created by the hammer die.

Here is a picture of a die with notches on the edge.  That damage to the die was caused by the die clashing with the collar.  Those notches would then be transferred to the coin when it is struck.  That is what happened to the dime shown above.

Die Showing Damage Caused by Clashing With the Collar.

Source: See Error-Ref.com above.

There is a lot more to be seen on a modern coin than the date and mint mark.  Besides the intended design of the coin, you will also often see mint errors.  Some mint errors, such as collar clash, are fairly common and not worth anything.  Other errors are highly collected and can increase the value of a modern coin to millions of dollars.

It can be worth picking up pennies and other small denomination coins if you inspect them carefully and learn to identify valuable errors and varieties.

One of the biggest differences you will see between Spanish colonial cobs and modern coins, is the edge.  Modern coins have the finished round edge, perhaps with reeding or other designs features, because of the collar.

In addition to the possibility of finding a valuable a mint error or variety, you will also learn things from modern coins that can be applied to your understanding and appreciation of Spanish Colonial coins.  There are differences, but there are also many similarities.

It wasn't until rather recently that I began to inspect my coins for mint errors and varieties.  I don't know if I ever spent valuable coins.  It is certainly possible.

I have found a variety of mint errors.  Most have no value or very little value, but one was the first documented example of its kind, and is listed on an online error reference database.  

It is not as easy to find a valuable mint error.  Valuable examples are rare.  And some errors and varieties are difficult to correctly identify.  Like anything else it takes study and practice, but the results can be gratifying.

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The surf predictions do not look as encouraging as they did a little earlier.  Now it looks like we'll only be getting three to five feet.  We are supposed to have a long period of north winds either.  Don't expect much improvement in overall beach conditions.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

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What is your all-time favorite coin find?  

Send me a photo of your favorite and tell why it is your favorite.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

11/26/18 Report - Mysterious Tunnels Discovered. Treasure Hunter Can't Present Coins to Court. Florida Shoreline Change Database. Plastic in Whales.

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

More evidence has emerged of a mysterious network of tunnels beneath the historic neighborhood of Ybor City in Tampa, Fla.

Earlier this week, architect Gerry Curts was on site showing pictures and offering descriptions of one of the tunnels, Fox 13 reported. He said that a new opening to the tunnels was revealed during demolition work by developers planning an office building./..

Mormino speculated that the tunnels may have been part of a network that transported Chinese prostitutes from Cuba to the Port of Tampa to Ybor City in the early 1900s, but added that we may never discover their real use. "The tunnels of Ybor City represent one of the great riddles and mysteries," he said...

Here is the link for more about that.

https://www.foxnews.com/science/mysterious-tunnels-discovered-in-florida

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COLUMBUS (AP) — A treasure hunter has taken back a pledge to turn over 500 missing coins just days after he promised to deliver the coins minted from gold found in a shipwreck off the South Carolina coast.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Tommy Thompson agreed on Wednesday to deliver the coins to a court-appointed receiver by Sunday to settle a lawsuit brought by an investor.

The paper says the deal fell apart Friday when Thompson said he has no idea how to obtain the coins.

Thompson found the S.S. Central America in 1988 after convincing more than 100 investors to fund the voyage for nearly $13 million.

Thompson never repaid the investors. He became a fugitive and fled...

Here are a couple links.

https://www.limaohio.com/wire/state-wire/329120/treasure-hunter-flip-flops-over-returning-missing-gold-coins

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20181114/tommy-thompson-agrees-to-surrender-gold-coins-in-tentative-settlement

You might remember when a fugitive Tommy Thompson was apprehended in a Boca Raton hotel.

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Here is a link that you can use to find some information on Florida shoreline changes.  Not all of it is up-to-date.

https://floridadep.gov/water/beaches/content/historic-shoreline-database

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JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A dead whale that washed ashore in eastern Indonesia had a large lump of plastic waste in its stomach, including drinking cups, bottles and flip-flops, a park official said Tuesday, causing concern among environmentalists and government officials in one of the world’s largest plastic-polluting countries...

Santoso said researchers from wildlife conservation group WWF and the park’s conservation academy found about 5.9 kilograms (13 pounds) of plastic waste in the animal’s stomach containing 115 plastic cups, four plastic bottles, 25 plastic bags, 2 flip-flops, a nylon sack and more than 1,000 other assorted pieces of plastic...

For more - 

http://www.startribune.com/dead-whale-had-115-plastic-cups-2-flip-flops-in-its-stomach/500897282/

I'm always amazed by the number of flip flops and other plastic that washes up on the beaches on the Treasure Coast.

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I've been busy with holiday activities already.  I always like the holidays.

Cooler weather is on the way.  The Treasure Coast surf is down to two to three feet, but the tides are still big.

We'll be getting more west and northwest winds, so I'm not expecting any improvement in beach detecting conditions.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

1 of 3

In this undated photo released by Akademi Komunitas Kelautan dan Perikanan Wakatobi (Wakatobi Marine and Fisheries Community Acad

emy or AKKP Wakatobi), researchers collect data of the carcass of a beached whale at Wakatobi National Park in South

8/5/18 Report - Coins As Recordings: A Jupiter Shipwreck Cob Example.

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

Half Reale Once Found on Jupiter Beach.

I've been spending some time studying modern coin finds - especially errors and varieties.  You might be surprised how detailed that can get.   As a result I've learned to look at coins in a different way.  That includes old coins and cobs as well as modern coins.

Above is a half reale I found at Jupiter beach a number of years ago.  Unfortunately I didn't record the date so I don't know exactly when that was even though I remember it very well.  Observing the weather, I thought that Jupiter beach might be eroding, so I got in the car and made the nearly one-hour drive.  When I got there I saw the waves hitting the back dunes and creating a nice cut.  The waves were hitting the cut hard and washing away large chunks of sand with every hit.  

I'm pretty sure the cob shown above was washed out of the dunes.  I caught it in the rapid knee to hip high water that was rushing back down the slope.  The side shown above was covered with a thick sand crust.  The other side was pretty much as it is shown below.  I could see the cross, as I braced myself against the rushing water and took it out of the scoop.

Some people reduce each find to a single number - how much it is worth - but a coin contains volumes of information.  This cob is like a recording that goes back to geological time.

If you were to analyze it scientifically you could narrow down where the metal was formed and where it came from.  The shape and type of the cob is typical of those from the Jupiter wreck.  The shape is the handiwork of a worker who cut the planchet.

You also see the work of those who made the die and those who held the die and swung the hammer.

The design itself is the result of politics and royal decrees having far reaching roots and effects.

You see the work of the person who held the die and the man who swung the hammer.

If you inspect a coin closely, you'll see how worn the die was - whether it was new or worn and perhaps showing small cracks or breaks.

You can see where the die was recut and where the die bounced and created a partial second impression.

You can see the results of it being in salt water and on the beach for hundreds of years.  There are even a few grains or sand remaining.

You can even see the result of the cob being cleaned and my own hands where I slipped and made a scratch of my own, which will last as long as the coin.  A good eye can tell that scratch was made after the cob was recovered.

Those are just some of the things you can see if you study this cob.

Side That Was Not Protected by A Crust of Sand.

The second photo shows the side that I could see as soon as I took the cob out of my scoop.  It is not as clear as the side that was originally protected by a thick layer of crust that made that side invisible.

If you look at this side closely, you can see a nice lion rampant in the upper right quadrant and a castle to the left.  You can also see some of the legend between two partial circles of dots.

Unlike many of the cobs that I've shown in this blog, this cob is not from the Mexico mint.  You can easily tell that from the cross.

I've just begun to study coins more closely and am a novice at numismatics, but find it very interesting.

Returning to the other side of the cob for a minute, here is the Philip monogram up close.

Philip Monogram.

You can see some corrosion remaining.

The monogram is very clear.  Notice the horizontal bar in the middle that appears to stand out higher than any of the other parts of the design.

My guess is, and someone could probably confirm, that the die was well worn and the die was sharpened up.  The bar was carved into the worn die after it was well worn.

Although modern coins are produced by machines and this one was struck by hand, the process is still very similar and you'll see many similar effects.

Imagine the fellow that carve the die and how he cut the negative into the die.  He made some nice rounded dots.

You can see how the metal was compacted and stressed and the how the metal flowed into the areas where the die was hollowed out.

Here is a detail on the other side.

Close-up Detail of Half Reale.

In this photo you see the end of the Kings name, Phillipus, and part of the following numeral.

The "S" looks weird.  It doesn't look like an S at all.  It looks more like an eight - actually multiple eights.  What happened?

It could be a couple things.  A real numismatist could probably tell me, or with a little more study I could probably figure it out, but it could be that the die bounced when it was struck.

It also looks to me like the die could have been recut - and perhaps incorrectly.

You see similar things on modern coins.  As I said recently, by studying modern coin errors and varieties, I've learned to look at cobs in a new way.

I'll get into that more some other day.

I'd be happy to receive corrections or additional observations or thoughts about this cob.

One reason I decided to revisit this cob is because my photography has improved since I last posted it.

I hope that you will look at old cobs as containing volumes of information.  If you study them, they are more than a number.  They record a lot of history.  And by careful observation and study, you can unravel the story for yourself.

I've often said that if you know everything about anything, you know everything about everything.

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If I showed enough hate maybe I could get a job writing for the New York Slimes.

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Beach conditions have not improved and remain poor.  The tides are not big and the wind continues from the south.  The surf is only one to two feet.

There is one disturbance way out in the middle of the Atlantic, but it will probably never affect us.

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

3/22/18 Report - Treasure Beaches Around The Treasure Coast. Two Old Shipwrecks Found. Roman Settlement and Dice.

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

Wabasso Tuesday Afternoon.
Photo by Joe D.

Joe D. went by some of the treasure beaches yesterday and sent these photos.  You can see a lot of renourishment sand and generally sandy conditions.  Here is what he said.

... I saw that they put down sand at Wabasso and Turtle Trail! And Seagrape was closed because they were still working on beach! I stopped by one other beach; Rio Mar, and detected for a short while at low tide! I could see either a reef, or a wreck that was exposed between waves! 

Turtle Trail Tuesday.
Photo by Joe D.

Turtle Trail Tuesday.

Rio Mar Tuesday
Photo by Joe D.

Reef At Rio Mar Tuesday.
Photo by Joe D.

Thanks for the report Joe!

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Two additional centuries-old ships have been unearthed in Old Town Alexandria, not far from where an 18th-century vessel was unearthed a few years ago.

The discovery was made at a construction site where Robinson Terminal South was located, according to a news release Monday from the City of Alexandria. Early indications are that the two ships are from the same era as the ship that was found at the Hotel Indigo site in 2015.

Archaeologists believe that that 50-foot ship was built sometime after 1741 and ended up being used as landfill in the late 1700s...

Here is that link for more.

https://wtop.com/alexandria/2018/03/2-old-ships-unearthed-alexandria/

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Archaeologists have uncovered a Roman settlement that likely housed the family members of soldiers serving at a nearby Roman fort. The settlement, located in the modern-day German town of Gernsheim, holds countless artifacts, including an ancient dice and a game piece that the inhabitants likely used to entertain themselves.

Dice design has changed very little since Roman times. Researchers found a gaming piece and die during excavations of the Roman settlement.

Here is that link.

https://www.livescience.com/52227-photos-roman-settlement-germany.html

One reason I found this article is that I found two dice today along the Indian River.  Dice aren't so interesting, but I thought it was interesting how I found one die in the morning at low tide when I took a little walk, and then in the evening when the tide was low, I took a little walk in the other direction and found another one.

I can't recall finding die before, so when I found the second a couple hundred yards away from where I found the first, I thought that was very unusual.  One was bigger than the other and I'm not sure what the first is made of yet.

I've often said, "Birds of a feather flock together."  Moving water separates and sorts things.  When conditions are right, certain types of objects will be left on or near the surface.  If I ever found dice along the river before, it wouldn't have been so surprising to me, but they were such rare finds for me that finding two in one day seemed pretty remarkable.  It is not totally coincidence.

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Beach conditions haven't changed much.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

3/20/12 Report - Royal Die & More

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


Die for 1726 Royal.

As you probably know, the 11th Sedwick Coin auction is now online and bidding has begun.

One of the most interesting things to me is this die.

It is an original die for the pillars side of a 1725 Potosi 8 reales Royal.

You don't see these very often. This one seems to be in very good condition and was used to create Royals, and therefore is an exceptional example.

Imagine how a die like this was used and how it would have become dull or damaged over time, and then possibly repaired or sharpened.

Some cobs seem to show evidence of being made from repaired or resharpened dies. The 1/2 reale that I've shown from Jupiter Beach definitely seems to me to be from a repaired die.

I'm still looking for another example with a similar crown.

Cobs are so unique. That is one reason that I like them. There are so many varieties.

If you want a better look or want to know more about the die shown above, here is the link.

http://auction.sedwickcoins.com/Original-die-for-pillars-side-of-a-Potosi-Bolivia-cob-8-reales-Royal-1725Y-Louis-I-unique-and_i12159835


Skeletons of archers from the 16th Century wreck of the Mary Rose are being studied by sports scientists to discover the effect of archery on human bones.

You hear so much about grave robbers these days, is it just me or in the light of all of that, does it seem that this use of human remains is less than respectful. I mean we're not talking about the cure of some disease that threatens the existence of human kind. Certainly if these skeletal remains were those of Native Americans, they would be treated differently.

The archaeological and scientific communities throw out so much inconsistent hyperbole that they totally discredit themselves.

Anyhow, if you want to read the story, here is the link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17309665



And here is a story about an archaeologist doing a dig in her own backyard. Good idea.

http://www.dailycamera.com/lafayette-news/ci_20184751/lafayette-woman-excavates-old-outhouse-unearth-unexpected-treasures

Too bad that a Ph. D. anthropologist can't tell the difference between pig bones an human bones, but they do seem to have great imaginations.

Now that archaeology is concerned with anything over five minutes old, do you know of any ground that might not qualify as an archaeological site?


Why do I like to watch the meteorite guys on TV? Have you seen the show? A couple fellows walk around fields looking for meteorites. It certainly doesn't sound exciting. It doesn't look exciting either. But I like watching them.

Sometimes they just use a magnet on a stick and sometimes they use metal detectors. It seems I can watch almost anyone metal detecting - but a magnet on a stick?!

I think part of it is that I wouldn't recognize a meteorite in the field if I stepped on one. I've never found one myself - that I know of.

I like to watch people metal detecting no matter what they are or aren't finding. And I like to watch people discovering things. And I like to learn things myself - even if it isn't anything more than how to recognize a meteorite. I guess it is just the basic human drive to discover and learn.


Beach conditions on the Treasure Coast aren't very good and haven't been changing much. The wind is out of the east/southeast. Seas are running around four or five feet.

After Wednesday the seas will begin to decrease a little, getting down to around one or two feet by the weekend.

It looks like water hunting season is upon us.


Happhy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net