6/18/20 Report - Consignments Wanted. Making Hay When Sun Shines. Dust Storm.

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

Additionally from Sedwick - 

As you have probably heard by now, the ANA World's Fair of Money on August 4-8 in Pittsburgh has been suspended. We always look forward to going to the ANA show because it allows us to see our fellow collectors and dealers plus express our shared interest in numismatics.

Since some of our consignors like to see us in person at the ANA show, here is what we can offer you to make consigning an easy process:

- We are extending our consignment deadline to August 21, 2020.
- For qualifying consignments, we will pay for your shipping costs or send you a shipping label to get your consignments to us, fully insured.
- For large collections where consultation and pick up in person is safe, beneficial and feasible, we can travel to you.
- We offer discounted, expedited grading services for coins and paper money through PCGS, NGC, and PMG.
- We are able to meet with consignors by appointment at our office in Winter Park, Florida using proper health precautions.
- If you're planning on also buying in our auction, we can trade your consignment proceeds against your auction purchases.
- We are ready to consult with you at any point on what and how to consign by reaching us at 407-975-3325 or office@sedwickcoins.com.

Our May Treasure Auction 27 was a fantastic success as we saw strong bidding, a very high sell-through rate of over 95%, and a record amount of new and returning bidders.

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I've been describing some of the mistakes I've made in the past.  So far in recent weeks I've discussed and given examples of (1) careless digging and recovery resulting in scratched or damaged finds, (2) defective containers for carrying new finds, for example hole in pocket or goodie bag, (3) inadequate bag or container for carrying large items, for example plastic bags ripped by large fossils (4) inadequate bag or container for carrying bottles or fragile items resulting in fragile items like bottles being broken while be carried in plastic bags, and (5) leaving dug or found items on beach for later recovery, which often doesn't work out well.

Here is another mistake that I made on more than one occasion.  I've talked about this one before.  It is the mistake of being too casual when detecting conditions are exceptionally good.  When conditions are right and items are being found, don't stop until you have thoroughly cleaned out the area or you are forced to stop for some reason.

I've told about this situation before, but when I arrived at the beach I found the front beach cut back several feet, and there was a drop into the shallow water where there were tons of targets.  There were targets in every square foot for a hundred yards or more along the beach.  I remember that I dug over $20 in quarters in a hunt of about four hours.  Of course there were better things besides the coins, including many rings and pieces of jewelry.  This was in Fort Lauderdale many years ago.

After my first hunt of four hours, I left to pick up my wife or something, but I knew that I had not scratched the surface and there was much more remaining to be found.  I returned the next day and found conditions virtually unchanged.  I found about as many coins and as much jewelry as the day before.  I did about a four hour hunt again, and planned on returning the next day.  As I left I looked up and saw a front moving in.   That should have been a clue.

The next day when I returned, there was almost nothing to be found.  My mistake was not staying as long as I could and absolutely getting as much as I could while conditions were right.  As they say, "Make hay while the sun shines."

Unfortunately I've repeated that mistake several times.  Another time was years ago when I was still living in the Fort Lauderdale area.  I was traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Coast to visit my parents.  It was Christmas eve, or the day before.  Anyhow, I stopped at Fort Pierce to do a little metal detecting.  It was freezing.  One of the bridges over the interstate had ice on it up north around Daytona.  ,

When I stopped at Fort Pierce, I got out of the car.  It was cold and the wind was ripping.  One other fellow showed up with a metal detector.   He was bundled up.  I saw him get ready to detect, but with the cold wind blowing, he just shook his head, turned around and left without doing any detecting.

My wife stayed in the car because of the cold.  I didn't stay on the beach long, but picked up several half reales in probably around twenty minutes.  That was another time I should have stayed longer.  There aren't many days like, so when it does happen, make the best of it.  I can think of quite a few times when I was too casual about a rare opportunity, but I there are two examples.

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Saharan Dust Storm Headed For Gulf Coast.

Source: See weather.com link below.

See https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2020-06-16-saharan-dust-atlantic-caribbean-united-states-hurricane-season

The surf is down to around one or two feet on the Treasure Coast today.  The tides are small, and there is nothing on the National Hurricane Center map now.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

5/28/20 Report - People Paying Well For Treasure. Gold Pancake. Lima 8-Escudos. Ducatoons. Hope.

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

The first day of bidding in the current Sedwick treasure auction has concluded and the bidding was exciting.  A very high percent of the lots closed higher than the high end of the auction estimates. 

One of the first day over-achievers was lot 55 - described as a round gold pancake (below).

Here is the lot description.

Small, round gold "pancake," 11.94 grams, ex-Espadarte (1558), with Sotheby's catalog. About 3/4" in diameter and 1/8" thick. Cute little droplet of gold with no markings but some areas of encrustation, one side covered with the original sticker from the salvagers, scarce provenance. From the Espadarte (1558), with certificate #1035 from the salvagers, and pedigreed to our Auction #3, with original lot tag #58, also with catalog of the Christie's (Amsterdam) "Fort San Sebastian Wreck" auction of May 2004.

The docementation and provenance undoubtedly had a lot to do with the price that was realize.

The auction estimate was $400 - $600, but the item sold for $3332.00, which includes the buyer's premium. That is four or five times the auction estimate.

Among the lots that brought high bids were a couple of early 1700s Lima 8-escudos.  Two different escudos went for $38,675, (including the premium).  One had an auction estimate of $17,500 - $25,000 and the other had an auction estimate of 20,000 - 40000.

One lot that caught my attention when I first looked at the auction listings was lot 270 - a neat clump including a couple ducatoons.  That lot is described below.

That was another lot that sold for several times the high end of the auction estimate.  Actually it was nearly six times the auction estimate.

The economic shutdown didn't seem to hurt the auction results.

World coins and paper money lots will be auctioned today.

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Douglas sent in a good tip.  Do a search of RPPC or real photo post cards on eBay or places like that.  You might add Florida as a keyword to your search.  Douglas sent this link to hippostcard.com for example.  You'll find some interesting views.

Here is an example.

https://www.hippostcard.com/category/florida/12186/?keywords=Real+OR+RPPC&sort=default&listing_type=product&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20Postcards%2020200523-5878

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Yesterday was an inspiring day for me.  I managed to catch some of the coverage of the SpaceX launch.  It was on at least one TV channel.

The launch was postponed, but if you watched the coverage leading up to launch time, you saw the excitement of past astronauts and some of their family members as they talked about how important it was for the country to get back into the space race.  They said it represented a new era in space exploration for this country.  We have been paying the Russians big money to give our astronauts a ride.  That is embarrassing.  A small private company, much smaller than companies like Boeing, managed to attack a problem and come up with a new improved solution, and they did it more quickly and inexpensively than was thought possible.  There is always a better way waiting to be found.

The launch represents the huge creative talent of the human spirit.  It shows what people can do when they are propelled by their dreams more than their fears.

There are dreamers and there are haters.  There are those who give hope, and even those who hope against success.

Yes, there is risk.  That risk was acknowledged and confronted.  There are those willing to take the risk of sitting on the tip of a bomb because their sight is set on what is above.  Success is not guaranteed, but if not this time, eventually it will come - as long as there are people with hope.

Some channels didn't even cover the launch.  It seemed like they wanted no part of anything positive.

I hope you are not wondering what this has to do with treasure hunting.  It is treasure hunting.  It is about facing fears and overcoming problems.  It is about technology and innovation.  It is about accomplishing more than was thought possible.  But most importantly, it is about the human spirit and the treasures that await.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

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Today the surf will be about two feet and tomorrow just a touch higher.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

4/26/20 Report - Carlos and Joanna Reales. Beach Openings Next Week. Paleovirology. Statistics.

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

Johanna and Carlos 2-Reale

Lot 71 in Current Sedwick Auction.

You might remember my posts on the Carlos and Johanna two-reale found by Terry S.  There are several listed in the current Sedwick auction.  Here is one that is similar to Terry's.   

Here is the lot description.

Mexico City, Mexico, 2 reales, Charles-Joanna, "Late Series," assayer G to right, mintmark M to left (M-G). Nesmith-49e type; Cal-93; S-M5. 6.70 grams. Low-contrast AU with bold full details including legends, steel-gray color all over. Recovered from: "Golden Fleece wreck," sunk ca. 1550 in the northern Caribbean 

Here is the one found by Terry for comparison.

Charles and Johanna Two-Reale Found by Terry S.

Photos by Terry S.

The auction lists other Carlos and Johanna coins, including a 3-reale, and a two-reales with another assayer's mark.

This Sedwick two-reale that I'm showing seems to be very similar to Terry's, though there are others in the auction that you might want to view.

The assayer and mint mark sometimes change sides.  Sometimes the assayer mark is on the left and sometimes on the right.

Besides this group of lots, there is a lot consisting of three (or four) Carlos and Johanna cobs listed as lot 1471.

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SebastianDaily says Indian River County beaches will reopen April 28, 2020, 7 AM to 7 PM.

Wabasso Beach, Golden Sands, Tracking Station Beach, Round Island Beach, the east end of Beachcomber Lane, South Beach, Humiston Beach, Sexton Plaza Beach, Conn Beach and Jaycee Beach will all be reopened. All other public beach access points will remain closed.

Walking, running, swimming, wading, floating, surfing, paddle boarding, and kayaking, and exercising will be permitted,  No sitting or laying.  

Here is the link.

https://www.sebastiandaily.com/community/indian-river-county-beaches-will-soon-reopen-22778/

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I said that the data we have on COVID-19 cases is dirty.  By that I mean that it is not it includes a variety of sources of error, one of the most important, in my opinion, is the use of inconsistent coding and reporting procedures.  Without getting into great detail, here is a just a brief part of what CDC says about their data.

CDC does not know the exact number of COVID-19 illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths for a variety of reasons. COVID-19 can cause mild illness, symptoms might not appear immediately, there are delays in reporting and testing, not everyone who is infected gets tested or seeks medical care, and there may be differences in how states and territories confirm numbers in their jurisdictions...

I could provide a lot more, but you can go to the site for yourself if you are interested.

If you have ever dealt with a death certificate, you might know that a cause of death can be described in various ways and is subject to a number of influences. Again, I won't comment any more on that,  but you are free to do your own research.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/index.html

Here are a few more articles that you might want to check.

An article in ScienceDaily suggests bears the title, Ultraviolet LEDs prove effective in eliminating coronavirus from surfaces and, potentially, air and water.

Here is the link to that.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200414173251.htm

I've previously discussed the use of ultraviolet light for inspecting artifacts.  My favorite example had to do with a piece of red sea glass treated to be luminescent.   Ultraviolet light can be helpful for inspecting fossils too and other things.

Talking about fossils - did you know about the field of paleovirology?  Scientific American published an article entitled Ancient "Fossil" Virus Shows Infection to Be Millions of Years Old

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fossil-virus-bird-genome/

I've talked before about the benefits of opening archaeological information up for the public, and I've talked more generally about the benefits of open access science.  Here is an article about how doctors are pooling data to help understand COVID-19.  

https://www.wired.com/story/doctors-are-pooling-data-to-help-understand-covid-19/

The same attitudes and techniques can be effectively applied to a wide variety of types of problems.    It is no surprise to me that many of the same attitudes and approaches are useful in a wide variety of fields.

I always encourage  creativity and problem solving.   For me, that is what makes metal detecting so much fun.  I also believe you can get some good ideas from the most unexpected places if you are open and think about how you can apply the information.



You'll be able to visit some beaches next week and people won't be allowed to come up to you and ask if you found anything, but I guess they can yell it from a safe distance.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/5/19 Report - Christmas Silver Coins. Silver Prices Over the Years. Bottle For ID. Sedwick News.

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

Once Ounce Silver Ingot.

This isn't my Christmas greeting.  I think it's too early for that, but if you are shopping, here is an idea: it is a once ounce silver Christmas round.  This one was selling for $28.95 - quite a bit above the price of silver.  

Some of them are very nicely colorized.  I don't  think this kind of thing has appreciated great over the recent years and decades.  I wouldn't consider it a safe bet as investment, but it might make a nice gift.

Here is the chart of silver prices (inflation adjusted) beginning 1915.

It seems like silver, gold and coins always look like really good investments until you adjust for inflation.

If you have some junk silver around, think about melting it down and making something new.

There are classes you can take on lost wax casting.  I did that once, and even sold some of my junk silver to other class members to use in the class.

Here is the link to the price chart.

https://www.macrotrends.net/1470/historical-silver-prices-100-year-chart

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College Inn Bottle Found by Joe D.

Joe D. wasn't able to find much information about this bottle and would like some help.  Looks like a soda bottle, and it looks like the bottle was manufactured in 1931.

The bottom provides a lot of information.

Looks like patent no. 83427.   I haven't seen a College Inn bottle before, but shouldn't be too difficult to run down.

Any help appreciated.

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Here is a note from Sedwick Coins.  They'll be at the Fun Convention in Orlando on January 9.

Also remember they are taking consignments for the next auction.

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The tides and surf are still small but the surf will be increasing a little next week.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

11/3/19 Report - 1715 Fleet Cobs Dated 1715 Bring High Prices. Half Reale and Famous Four Escudo. Erosion at Jupiter Beach.

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

Lot 379 In Sedwick Coins Treasure Auction No. 26.

You can learn a lot from auctions.  There are all the items to inspect, and you also find out what people are willing to pay for things.  The Sedwick auctions are among the most informative for those of us interested in treasure coins and related items, including those from the Treasure Coast and the 1715 Fleet wrecks.

The live bidding for all but one session of the current Sedwick Coins Auction No. 26 has concluded.  I'd have to say that the auction was a big success.  Extremely few items did not sell, and the bidding was enthusiastic.

Above is one item that caught my attention.  It is a half reale from the 1715 Fleet that brought a winning bid of $1,150, not including the buyers premium.  That is a lot of money for a half reale.  So what made it so special?

First of all, it, like many other half reales included in the second session, was dated.  You can see the date (1)715 in the photo above.  Most half reales do not show a date, snd this date is unusual as it is the same as the year of the wreck, being very recently minted before making it onto the ship and being lost off the coast of Florida shortly thereafter.

This reale, in my opinion, other than the fact that it does show a rare date and is pedigreed to Real Eight and the Pullin collection, is not very exceptional.  Below is the lot description.

Mexico City, Mexico, cob 1/2 real, (1)715(J), rare, ex-1715 Fleet, ex-Real Eight (Ullian). S-M22; KM-24; CT-1828. 1.37 grams. Bold full 15 of date above full but weak crown, nearly full cross despite flatness, minimal surface corrosion, toned all over, desirable as the date of the wreck. From the 1715 Fleet, with original Real Eight Co. certificate signed by Lou Ullian. Auction lot-tag personally signed by John Pullin. The John Pullin Collection of Dated Mexican Cobs.

The other dated half reales from the Pullin collection mostly sold for between $200 and $400.  Those are still high prices for half reales.

Take a look at the undated half reales in the one internet-only session (Session VI) of the same auction that will close Monday.  The half reales in that session could still increase in price but will probably sell mostly for well below $100.

If you take a look at those lots and the lot descriptions, including the photos, you can learn a lot.  Many of the reales and escudos are from the 1715 Fleet, so you'll get a good idea of the kinds of things that have been found and are still out there to be found on the Treasure Coast.

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Among the higher priced coins was lot 7, which is also from the 1715 Fleet and dated 1715.  The winning bid for this one was $24,000.

What is surprising is that it is a four-escudo - not an eight-escudo, as you might expect from such a high-priced escudo.  So what makes it so special?   Below is the photo and lot description.

Lot 7 In Current Sedwick Treasure Auction No. 26.

Mexico City, Mexico, cob 4 escudos, 1715J, NGC MS 62, ex-1715 Fleet (designated on label), Practical Book of Cobs Plate Coin (3rd edition), ex-John Pullin (stated on label). S-M30; KM-55.2; CT-235. 13.26 grams. It is hard to imagine a nicer example of this desirable final year of 1715-Fleet cobs (and in fact there may not be any nicer, as it is tied with two others for finest known in NGC census), for this coin shows a 100% full and bold date and oMJ while still bearing a full shield and cross, all with muted luster and no doubling or wear. Little wonder Frank Sedwick chose this piece for plating in his Practical Book of Cobs! From the The John Pullin Collection of Dated Mexican Gold Cobs from the 1715 Fleet, pedigreed to our Auction #8 (lot #6) and plated on page 106 of the 3rd edition (1995) of The Practical Book of Cobs. Auction lot-tag personally signed by John Pullin. NGC #5705323-001.

So it is also a late and rare date for a 1715 Fleet escudo, but it also has a lot of other things going for it, including being one of the finest of its type known, according to the NGC census.


There are other lots in the auction that brought even higher prices, including some of the ingots and bars.

Session VI, which is an internet-only session, will conclude tomorrow.  That session will include a wide variety of lots.  A number of less expensive half reales will be included - mostly undated.

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John B. sent the following photos of Jupiter Inlet beach.

Eroded Beach At Jupiter Inlet.

Photo by John B.

John said there weren't many targets.  As you can see it is very mushy sand.  You can tell that from the footprints and the coarseness of the sand and the shape of the beach.

Cut At Jupiter Inlet Beach

Photo by John B.

Despite all the big surf we've had the past few months, there have been few good finds.  Conditions just haven't been good, and I blame that on all of the renourishment sand.  Beaches like the one shown here are covered with renourishment sand, and even when you get erosion, it is just the renourishment sand moving around.   When it leaves the beach, it piles up in front of the beach covering anything old and protecting the beach against the force of the surf, and eventually gets washed back in again.

Unfortunately, I think it is going to take a lot to create good beach detecting conditions.  There is a lot of sand on the beaches.

Next week we'll have mostly two to four foot surf.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

The way they keep dumping sand



https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-50186758

2/21/18 Report - Mystery Item. Magnetometer Repair Help Needed. Sedwick Consignment Deadline. Deep Sea Cold War Submarine Search.

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

Mystery Item
Photo submitted by Al C.

Al C. said, 

Hello! I was visiting a buddy of mine down in the Keys this weekend and he had this displayed on a shelf. He bought it years ago from a Fort Pierce guy who used to sell shipwreck items occasionally. He couldn't remember exactly what the guy told him this was used for so I thought maybe you or your
readers might have an idea.

I asked Al about the back, and this is what he said.

It seems like bronze. Dark copper color and very dense, heavy. The back side has no markings at all.

It looks like the four corner circles have FRS in big letters and small numbers 1738 one way.  I looked at it upside down at first and the numbers looked like 8021 that way..  I don't know what is in the middle circle.

If anyone has any ideas what this might be, send me an email.  Thanks much.

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Information on Magnetometer Needing Repair.

Need to find someone who is able to fix a handheld magnetometer (Aqua-Mag). The photo above shows the label on the mag.

The owner says he searched the internet with no luck. The company that made this unit is no longer in business.
If you can repair this item or have any leads on someone who might, send an email to.Robert P. at the following email address.

abacoparadiseproperty@gmail.com

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Time to consign to the next Sedwick auction is running out.  Here is a message from Sedwick Treasure Auctions.

Now is the time to contact us for consigning to our Treasure, World, U.S. Coin & Paper Money Auction 23, which is already shaping up to be another great sale. The consignment deadline is February 28, 2018, so there is plenty of time still to include your consignments. Click here for more information on how to consign. Then, call the office at 407.975.3325 or email us at office@sedwickcoins.com. Read to the bottom of this email to see the big highlight for this sale!

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Here is an interesting article about the cold war and the search for a deep sea Russian sub that was conducted under the guise of deep sea mining.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/deep_sea_mining

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I have plenty more to talk aboutbut that is all I'll get done for today. I'll pick up on some topics that I started and didn't finish. I'll also be telling archaeology why they don't get the public support they should.  I have a chapter from a book in which a Florida state archaeologist discussed that problem.  I'll answer his questions.   
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

1/31/18 Report - Coca Cola Soda Water Bottle Find. Time to Consign. Around the Treasure Coast. Unusually Big Negative Tide Today.

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

C. C. Soda Bottle, Pat'd Nov. 6, 1923

Here is a Coca Cola Soda Water bottle that I picked up while on a little walk yesterday.  Years ago I found a similar bottle, but in green glass.  This one is embossed Coca Cola Bottling Company and Pat'd Nov 6, 23, and also L.G.W.

L.G.W. indicates the bottle was made by the Laurens Glass Works in South Carolina.  It could have been bottled by the Fort Pierce Bottling Company, but it could have also been bottled elsewhere.  Bottles from around the country are found on the Treasure Coast.  This one doesn't indicate where it was bottled, but I have found a good number of  bottles that were bottled in Fort Pierce.

Here is a paragraph from a great article on the Laurens Glass Works.

Laurens made Coca-Cola bottles, probably as early as 1917, and, by 1919, the Coca-Cola trade was the firm’s most important business. The plant also made bottles for Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, and numerous smaller bottlers. Specializing in soft drink bottles, the company grew so much that it opened a second plant in Henderson, North Carolina, in 1959, followed by a factory in Ruston, Louisiana, “a few years later” (Hamer 2002:18; 2003:25-33). The Henderson plant made bottles for “soft drinks, processed foods and household chemicals” (Glass Industry 1960:68).

Below is a link for more about that.

https://sha.org/bottle/pdffiles/LaurensGW.pdf

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Joe D. visited a lot o the Treasure Coast beaches and sent in this report.

    I was unimpressed with beach conditions today! Hunted Turtle trail on outgoing tide this morning and found only a few pieces of aluminum! Went half mile each direction! Drove to Bonsteel, Amber Sands, Golden Sands, Wabasso, The Wall, Rio Mar! Did not hunt any of them! Just pics!

   Only other place i hunted was South Beach Park only because it had better conditions than any others! Found a few green coins and some iron! Finished out low tide there! Drove by Ft Pierce jetty park, many kite surfers, but did not hunt! Than to John Brooks, Fredrick Douglass, and Walton Rocks for a peak, before heading home! No pics sent this time (unless you want them) due to poor conditions! Saw at least 4 detecting Turtle Trail, and a few others at various stops! But no one was digging that i could see! Oh well, another day soon! And loved the weather, other than the sandblasting! Haha!

Joe D.

Thanks much Joe.

I visited a couple beaches yesterday.  You can see them below.

John Brooks Yesterday.

Above is John Brooks as it looked yesterday.  Pretty smooth.  The wind was blowing the sand from north to south.  I didn't know my finger was in the way until I posted this.

Walton Rocks Yesterday.

The fellow in the distance (above) was detecting the water line.

Near low tide there was a pretty good north to south current running near shore.  That was the most interesting thing I saw at the beach.

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It is time to consign or the next Sedwick auction.  Here is their notice.



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If you didn't go out in the early morning cool air to see the lunar eclipse you can catch it on YouTube.

There was a really big negative tide this morning.  The surf is three to five feet.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/7/17 Report - Tropical Depression Four. Intuitive Detecting. Fall Treasure Auction. Metal Detecting Ergonomics.

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

Predicted Track For Tropical Depression Four.
Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Tropical Depression Four is still on the same track as of early Friday morning.

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Back a few days ago I asked readers about experiences of intutition.  Here is an example sent to me by Larry.

There was a soccer-sized field in a park in which, over the course of time, I pulled 7 gold rings. Once I got past #4, it became harder each time to believe there could be another one in there, but then eventually I'd get over my skepticism, and start hitting it again. After #6, the drag from my skeptical side just wouldn't let me go back to that field for many months. 

One afternoon, I was feeling oddly enthusiastic and also had the gold fever bad. I wanted to hit that field again, but couldn't imagine how another ring could be hidden in there after all the hours I'd spent hunting it, not to mention the 6 gold rings that were now missing from it. 

So, I brought up the field on google earth, laid the point of my index finger over the screen, closed my eyes, disconnected my mind from my hand,  

It required me to go into a meditative state, I guess, and I must have gotten there, because after some time, I returned to a sense of my body, and my finger was fixed on one spot of that field. That is where the gold would be. 

Without any doubt in my mind, I drove there, walked out into the field. I looked out, and fixed the spot where I believed my finger had rested. I checked one signal on my walk over to the spot, it was a tab. When I got to the spot I'd fixed with my eye, I stopped and swept the coil a couple of times, got a signal. I dug it, and it was a gold wedding band, with several Cartier style bisected circles engraved around the band. It was not a Cartier, however it was 14k gold. That was the 7th and last gold ring I pulled from that field, or any field. Since then, I've found all my gold at the beach.

Larry

Thanks for sharing Larry.

Larry's example also supports another thing I talk about: not giving up on a location too soon.  There is often more there than you might think, and it can take multiple hunts to get it all.

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You can now book a room or consign to the next Sedwick treasure auction, which will be held in Orlando in November.  Here are the details.

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If you metal detect heavily for many years, things will eventually begin to catch up with you.  Even things that are done for health and fitness reasons can cause problems in the long run.  Runners often develop knee problems, for example.  And bench pressing can cause shoulder problems.

When you are young and fit, it might be hard to imagine, but long term repetitive actions can cause parts of the body to wear out.  How many times have you swung that coil back and forth? I have no guess, but over the years it might be close to millions.  Certainly that can cause strain on various parts of the body such as the shoulder or back.  Digging is another thing you will do many times.  Try to do it all as ergonomically as possible.  You might not think it is any big deal now, but it can catch up to you in the long run.

Ergonomics is the science concerned with designing and arranging things so that they are used efficiently and safely. Ergonomics might also be called biotechnology, human engineering or human factors.

I once developed plantar fasciitis, I think from vigorously walking barefoot in the sand so much. That was easy to treat.  There are stretching exercises that seemed to do the job for me.  Good footwear can help too.

For detecting long without getting too tired, try to maintain good posture.  Adjust your rod assembly carefully to the right length so that you can maintain good posture while you detect.  And inch or two on the rod assembly can make a big difference.

Everyone knows that listening to a lot of loud music can cause hearing loss.  I'm also convinced that listening to a constant threshold tone for hours and years on end can cause hearing loss in the frequency range of the threshold tone.  Don't run the threshold any louder than necessary.  I also think that a variable tone is better than a single frequency.

And don't underestimate the effects of the sun, which can cause skin damage and serious cancers.  Don't forget the sun block.  I know of metal detectorists that have had very serious skin problems in the later years.

Ok, that's enough from grandma.

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The surf will remain small this week.  The surf predictions are for about a one foot increase in the surf next week.  That isn't much change.

Thanks for your poll responses.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

10/8/14 Report - Sedwick Coins Treasure Auction 16 Now Online. The Santa Maria. Where Columbus Left Spain. First Human Site In U.S.

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

The 16th Sedwick Coins Treasure Auction is now online for viewing and bidding.   Floor bidding will be on November 6.  Lot viewing and guest speakers will be at the Doubletree Hotel in Lake Buena Vista in Orlando on November 5.

Just looking through the catalog is both interesting and educational.

The notice says, In this auction we present some of the most amazing numismatic treasures we have ever seen, befitting our second Live Floor sale in Orlando, Florida, and solidifying the event as an annual “must see” occasion for treasure buffs and serious numismatists alike, who will also surely enjoy our latest addition of educational talks by experts in the field during on­site lot viewing Wednesday, November 5. Our auctions continue to grow and improve; the pre-auction estimate for this one speaks volumes: $1.94 million in just 1124 lots! Quality and rarity speak for themselves.

As usual we start off with a barrage of gold cobs, including many 1715-Fleet specimens in all denominations from Mexico, Lima and Bogotá. Since the year 2015 marks the 300th anniversary of the 1715-Fleet disaster, we trust that interest in these gold cobs will be at an all-time high.

The World Gold Coins section is dominated by dozens of bust-type 8 escudos from the mints of Bogotá, Popayán, Lima, Potosí and Santiago, all emanating from a new hoard of ca. 1820 found in the Andes region of South America. A standout piece is the finest-known Brazil (Rio) 3200 reis of 1727 (lot 101).

In the ingots section we present a sizable collection of natural gold nuggets from the Dominican Republic, plus a beautifully marked silver bar (lot 212) from the Atocha (1622). The Shipwreck Silver Coins section following that contains the usual spectrum of coins from dozens of different wrecks.

The silver-cobs sections are where the biggest trophies begin. We are particularly honored to present the Mexican 8 reales of Charles-Joanna (assayer Rincón, struck 1538), one of three examples known of the first 8 reales of the New World (lot 404). Also from Mexico is the ultra-rare 8 reales Royal of Louis I, 1725D (lot 450). In Lima cobs we present a collection of 17 “Star of Lima” coins from the unauthorized issue of 1659-60. The Potosí Cobs section offers many dated shield-type minors, as well as the finest known Rincón ¼ real (lot 597). A smattering of Royals completes the picture, along with many cobs from Guatemala and Spain and the rare mints of Panama and Colombia.

Colombia is the feature in World Silver Coins, where we offer a top-quality Bogotá pillar 8 reales 1770VJ (lot 752) and a Bogotá pillar 1 real 1760JV (lot 753), both from the same hoard (with an outline of the hoard’s known history) and a pair of very rare bust 8 reales from the Popayán mint. There is also a very rare Popayán 1 peso of 1863 (lot 786). From the Mexican War of Independence we offer a unique denomination set of Durango 8-4-2-1-1/2 reales (lot 876).

Following World Silver Coins is an expanded Medals section that features a very important selection of military decorations from battles in Ecuador and Peru during Bolívar’s fight for Independence in South America. We have also expanded our Paper Money section this time, offering significant selections from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba and Mexico.

The Artifacts sections present some fabulous treasures, like a gold and red-coral rosary from the 1715 Fleet (lot 1038), a Dutch bronze cannon from the 1733 Fleet (lot 1043), a gold reliquary locket from the 1733 Fleet (lot 1044) and a long gold “money” chain from a new 1740s wreck off Haiti (lot 1056).





I really like artifacts and it seems like there is a larger variety of artifacts in this auction.  Those with the highest starting bids are the coral rosary and reliquary locket.

The artifact section ends up with an iron meteorite.

Here is the link for the viewing lots.

http://auction.sedwickcoins.com/auctionlist.aspx



Some thought that the wreck of the Santa Maria had been found off Haiti.  Others disagree.

http://phys.org/news/2014-09-haiti-columbus-ship.html#inlRlv


It is thought, however that the site where Columbus departed from Spain has been identified.

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2355320&CategoryId=12395


A site thought to be the first human habitation within the United States has been identified in Oregon.

http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-ancient-oregon-caves/2472274.html


Other than the surf getting a little higher, don't expect much in the way of changes on our Treasure Coast beaches for at least a few days.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@Comcast.net

11/20 Report - 16th Century Gold Pendant Found by Metal Detector

16th Century Gold Pendant Found With Metal Detector.

A young boy found a 16th century gold pendant using a metal detector. The pendant is said to be worth over 3 million dollars. The article says the pendant shows the Virgin Mary, but it could actually be St. Helena. I would also guess the boy was receiving more than a little help with his detecting.

http://www.batangastoday.com/16th-century-old-gold-pendant-treasure-found-by-4-year-old-boy-james-hyatt/6084/

Nice looking pendant.

That web site seems to be a little touchy. You might have to juggle around on the page before getting the text of the story.

That story also reminds that there are places to find gold besides the beach.

Beach hunting is different than land hunting in a variety of ways. The beach is a different type of environment that requires specialized knowledge for best results.

While the constant change that occurs on a beach is sometimes a problem it can also be a benefit. Old items can suddenly surface on a beach that has been hunted to death for decades when a storm finally stirs things up. The beach is a very dynamic environment.

I received an email from Daniel Sedwick giving notice that they are currently seeking items for the upcoming April 2011 auction.

You can find information about consigning items for that auction by using the following link.

http://www.columnarios.com/pillars/design.html

They also mention the upcoming Tampa show in January and New York coin show where you could possibly arrange a meeting.

* Here is what they are looking for.

* High-grade gold and silver Latin American coins (specially large collections)

* World Gold coins including US and early British and Dutch

* Rare early Spanish colonial cobs (collections or single coins)

* 1715-Fleet gold and silver dated cobs.

* Shipwreck coins and cobs in reasonable condition with original certificates

* High-grade silver cobs & pillar dollars

* Artifacts from shipwrecks (well documented and properly conserved)

* Silver and gold ingots from shipwrecks

http://www.sedwickcoins.com/consign.htm


Archaeologists are excavating an Native American home in St. Augustine that was part of a mission community.

Here is the link for more information.

http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-11-17/native-american-home-uncovered


Forecast and Conditions.

Conditions look pretty much the same even though the seas are rough and the wind is blowing. It doesn't look like the waves will hit the banks today, but they do seem to be churning up the front beach.

I got a look at a couple of St. Lucie County beaches and they were both pretty sandy yet.

I would rate conditions as being poor, however there are some interesting items being found around the Treasure Coast. No cobs that I know of.

The high tides are still nice and high.

The seas will be backing off through the weekend and the rest of the week.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net