7/30/13 Report - Going with the flow while water detecting and the advantage of minimalism.

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

Nothing Surprising But a Good Beach Illustration.
I think it was from the Dept. of Highways or something like that.

Different people go about beach detecting differently.  That is natural enough.  One thing that was recently brought to my attention is that some of my techniques are not the same as what you will most often see described in books and magazines.  I can't say I've done anything near a comprehensive review of the literature, but I often see techniques described and encouraged that are very different from those that I use.

Many of my techniques are what I would describe as minimalist.  I tend to avoid equipment of all types as much as I can.   If a detector didn't make such a huge difference, I wouldn't even use a detector.  I very much like eye-balling.   It is just so much less productive to work without a detector.   I don't use extra equipment unless I find it essential.  Minimalism seems to me to be more natural, involves less expense, and requires less equipment to fool with and maintain.  But most of all the advantage of a minimalist approach is the versatility it affords.

When you go out with all types of specialized equipment, tanks, floating sifters, or whatever, the more you have of it and the more specialized it is, the more there is to hinder you from adjusting on the go.  Equipment specialized for one particular situation is excellent, but that requires you to know before you start what you are going to do.   If things are not working out as expected, you  have to change equipment and your whole approach.  The alternative is to learn to use some good basic equipment very well and adjust your techniques to multiple situations.   Learn to adjust your basic equipment and learn to use it well for various situations.

If I set out for a day of detecting in deep water and find that it isn't as productive as expected, or that the conditions have changed, and if I want to be able to walk out onto the beach and work there without carrying tanks or anything, I want to be able to do that with little problem.  I don't want to go back to the car or wherever and lose time as I change equipment.

I recently realized that since I've always worked alone, my techniques evolved independently and some of them are pretty unique.   Below is one in particular that is very different from the techniques that I've read in magazines and books.  It involves detecting in rough water.

I would describe my rough-water technique as going with the flow.   I don't like adding dive weights to keep me in place while the waves crash over and around me, for example.  I rather go with the flow.  I didn't know how to do that at first.  It took a while, but I learned to work with the waves instead of against them. 

Instead of trying to stay in place, my preferred rough-water wading technique is to let the waves take me where they want me to go rather than struggling against them.   What may be a surprise is that each wave will return you to the point where you started.  If you let go it won't wash you up on shore like a beached whale.

Add caption

Here is a good illustration that I found online.  I couldn't find a more complete source to credit, but the illustration shows what I am talking about.  Imagine that instead of the red boat, the figure is a wading detectorist facing the beach.

When working in rough water, if you are wading while facing the beach and a wave comes, you'll feel yourself getting sucked back.  You'll feel it before you see it and before the wave hits you, and you'll know that it is coming.

You'll be sucked back, as shown at the top of this illustration. When you feel yourself being sucked back, instead of struggling against it, sit back. Sit down and draw your legs up a little, more if you are in shallower water.  Then just let the wave take you back and up and then forward and down, eventually back to where you started.

You can see that cycle and the circular motion illustrated in the picture.  You'll eventually learn when to lean back, ride and then put your feet down again.

If you started a hole at the beginning of the cycle, you'll be dropped at the same position right by the hole where you were at the beginning of the cycle.  That will happen time after time.  No struggle, no mess.

So how do you use your scoop to recover objects while floating around?  At the low point in the cycle put your scoop into the sand.   If the object requires more than a single scoop, leave your scoop in the sand as you float away and back.  The sand in the bottom of the scoop will hold the scoop in place until you return to it.  You can hold onto the handle of the scoop while you float away and then back, while the bottom of the scoop remains anchored in the hole.  Or you can let go of the scoop until you return to the beginning of the cycle.  The scoop will remain anchored where it was, and if you are using a wood handle or other handle that lets the scoop float handle up, it will be right there for you to grab when you return.

Dig as many times as necessary at the low point of the cycle.  You can combine scooping with foot fanning.  The only difference is you take a breath while being floated up and away and move sand when in the bottom part of the cycle.

This technique is easier on you and our equipment.  It is more like floating than fighting.

Accurately estimating the depth of the object will help you know how to better approach target recovery.

I find foot fanning very effective in many situations.  You can move a lot of sand quickly through vigorous foot fanning.  You can use some slightly modified footwear to make that go even faster.


Not very long now until the blog poll is done.

Not much has been changing on the Treasure Coast beaches.  Its not likely you'll see old shipwreck cobs or treasure coins, but there are still things to be found, including among others, modern jewelry.

Tomorrow the surf will be a touch rougher.  Then on Wednesday the surf will peak at around 2 - 4 feet.

It took me a long time to try to get this post so I think you can understand what I'm trying to say without going into volumes of detail.  I'm sure I could have said it better.

I'll leave it at that for today.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/29/13 Report - Galleon Construction, $4K Ring Returned, More Sand and Princess Louisa Shipwreck

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

New 14K Ladies Bracelet
Beach Find.

Here is a web site that provides numerous detailed illustrations of Spanish galleons.  It is meant as an educational site for youth, but it does provide a number of interesting illustrations.

http://all-kids.us/ship-parts-page.html


The Treasure Coast isn't the only place being drowned under thousands of tons of dredged sand.  Tons of sand will soon be dumped on Broward County beaches.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-beach-widening-plans-20130725,0,6019055.story

Here is a map showing where the proposed beach widening will take place.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-gx-beach-widening-7-25-eps-20130727,0,5158859.graphic

Thanks to Marsha R. for these links.


How can digging a hole a few inches deep in Florida's submerged waterways be considered to be in anyway destructive when thousands of tons of sand are routinely dumped by heavy equipment on beaches and in the shallow water and that is not considered destructive in any sense????  
That is like a nuclear bomb compared to a gnat.
 

A boy went snorkeling to find a lost $4000 ring when he heard that a lady lost it after falling in the water at the base of a waterfall.  He found it, returned it and received a reward.

Here is the link.

http://www.miaminewsday.com/national/15153-boy-13-who-heard-how-devastated-a-stranger-was-after-she-lost-her-4k-wedding-ring-in-a-waterfall-got-his-snorkel-and-mask-on-and-managed-to-find-it.html


I was browsing the web and looking at the number and variety of silver cobs and treasure coins now listed for sale on the internet.  Their appears to be no shortage.  If you enter the name of a sunken treasure ship, most of the time instead of finding information about the wreck, you'll find numerous web sites listing coins for sale.  Some of those sites will give some shipwreck history, but the history is primarily meant to excite interest in the coins. 

Such is the case for the Princess Louisa.   You'll find numerous Spanish coins from this British ship for sale on the internet, along with some history of the wreck itself. 

Here is one web site that provides some very interesting history on the Princess Louisa and its wrecking along with some history on a variety of other old shipwrecks.

I think you'll find the history of the Princess Louisa interesting.

http://capeverdeinfo.org.uk/sport_diving_wrecks.htm


If you read the comments by Robert K. in yesterday's post about fake cobs, you'll want to careful to purchase coins only from known reputable dealers.


How much gold is there in the world above ground?  Some estimates say just over 155,000 tonnes.  Other estimates say many times more.  The estimates vary widely.

One of the more interesting things I found in the following linked article is that, unlike in the past, gold is now being consumed.  That means it is used in ways that now make it impractical to be recycled after it is used.

Here is the link to that article on gold.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21969100


Treasure Coast beach detecting conditions remain unchanged.  Another day of one to two foot surf.  It will increase a little, peaking around two to four feet on Wednesday and then decreasing again.

Only one day to respond to the blog poll now.  Thanks to all those who have responded.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

7/28/13 Earliest European Inland Fort in US, Fakes and Counterfeit Coins, Ancient Plating Techniques & More

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

Recent 14K Gold Filigree
Treasure Coast Beach Find.

Dorian has disappeared, much like Chantal.  

The Treasure Coast surf is still smooth.  One to two foot surf today, increasing to a peak of  2 - 3 feet by Wednesday, decreasing again.

Not much to look forward to yet.  There are still scattered shells, fossils, iron and other miscellaneous artifacts being seen on Treasure Coast beaches, along with a some modern items.


Archaeologists have discovered the remains of the earliest European fort in the interior of what is now the United States. This find will provide new insight into the beginning of the US colonial era, and the all-too-human reasons spoiling Spanish dreams of gold and glory.

In 1567, nearly 20 years before Sir Walter Raleigh’s colony at Roanoke was lost and 40 years before the Jamestown settlement was established, Spanish Captain Juan Pardo and his men built Fort San Juan in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Here is the link for more of that story.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112905408/archaeologists-find-european-fort-in-the-appalachians-072413/



On the 23rd of this month I posted a link to an article telling about fake and counterfeit gold and silver coins.  Robert K. said he recently had a personal experience with this type of thing and wanted to warn others.

Here is what Robert said.

I'm sorry to say that I have been the victim of at least, Fraud, and possibly Counterfeiting from China.

A few weeks ago I purchased a gold coin on e-bay. I received the coin in a closed slab marked "Verified NGC 1/4 oz. 999.9 pure gold". There were 7 of these sold by this dealer. After a few days I received an e-mail from one of the 6 other buyers  saying that he brought his coin to an NGC certified grader and it was determined that both the coin and the slab were fakes.
...

Just a word to the wise, they are counterfeiting ANYTHING valuable including shipwreck coins and gold and silver bullion!!

Please ask your readers to pass this around so it doesn't happen to them.

Here is that link.

http://goldsilver.com/video/special-report-how-to-avoid-fake-silver-and-counterfeit-gold-products/


I remember once receiving an email that said that if something is plated it is of fairly recent.
Modern electroplating techniques might be recent, but back quite a while ago I[posted a string of posts talking about various older methods of gold and silver plating which has been done in one form or another for thousands of years.  Many old Treasure Coast finds including 1715 Fleet finds and the religious medallion that I showed not long ago were layered with a thin layer of precious metals.  Old buttons also commonly show silver or gold gilding.

Here is what the following linked article says.  Artists and craftsmen more than 2,000 years ago developed thin-film coating technology unrivaled even by today's standards for producing DVDs, solar cells, electronic devices and other products. Understanding these sophisticated metal-plating techniques from ancient times, described in the ACS journal Accounts of Chemical Research, could help preserve priceless artistic and other treasures from the past.

Here is a link about that.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130724124919.htm


The Royal Mint has produced a lucky 2013 silver penny for those had a child on July 22.  The lucky penny can be received free by those people by simply registering.  A scan of the birth certificate is required.  

http://www.coinnews.net/2013/07/22/royal-mint-2013-lucky-silver-penny-for-uk-babies-born-on-july-22/

The lucky penny can also be purchased by others through the Royal Mint, as well as a variety of other Royal Birth commemoratives.


You might want to check out the downloads I mentioned in yesterday's post.

The blog poll is progressing very well, thanks to you all.  We'll have some good data.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/27/13 Report - Beach Finds, Coin Downloads, Biggest Year for Shipwreck Discoveries, Dorian & More

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



Mystery Encrusted Object.
Photo by William M.

As I said yesterday, people are seeing interesting things along the Treasure Coast beaches, but no cobs or treasure coins.  A good number of fossils are being seen in with the shells, some encrusted objects and other items that tend to appear along with shells are being seen.

Here are a few photos from William M.  First is an encrusted object.  A museum is taking a look at this one.  Could it possibly be a hand guard?  That seems like one possibility.

Below is a connector that was found in the same hole as an olive jar neck.

Those are the kinds of things that are being seen on the Treasure Coast beaches right now.


A couple of days ago I also showed a 18th or 19th century button that showed up on one Treasure Coast beach recently too.

Thanks for the photos William.


As I often repeat, when beach conditions are not right for one kind of item, it is good for another.  Right now we are seeing these types of items that tend to go along with shell piles.

Old Connector
Photo by William M.

It appears that Dorian, much like Chantal did, is falling apart.  Now predicted to take a more southerly track, it is expected to reach Cuba as only a depression.



What do you think was the biggest year for important shipwreck discoveries?  I know that is a hard question, and probably impossible to answer, but one candidate has to be 1985.

From the online archives of People Magazine, December 1985, is this brief article mentioning three big shipwreck discoveries that year.   The discovery of the main pile of the Atocha, which occurred on July 20, 1985, and the Titanic and Whydah, both of which were found in 1985.

Below is the link to that People article.

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20092640,00.html


The Numismatic News web site offers some very useful free downloads including a visual guide for grading circulated coins and another guide for handling and collecting coins.

Here is the site where you can get the downloads.

http://www.numismaticnews.net/



One waitress found $5000 in a diner booth and another woman found $20,000 along the side of the road.  Both women found the owners and returned the money and received a reward.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/26/georgia-waitress-jennifer-shaw-returns-money_n_3653696.html


Today's the day.   Most everybody knows that phrase and its role in treasure hunting.  The People article says that Mel Fisher said that almost every working day for 17 years.


In a very general sense, everyday is indeed the day.  Today is the only day you can grasp and work with.  It is the time at hand - it is where you make decisions and take action.  It is there to be used well or poorly.  The past is over and the future isn't here yet. 

If you take the phrase how I think it was meant - expecting that long-awaited big find - it seems to me that it was wrong hundreds of times before it was right.   But no matter if it is right or wrong, it represents a useful attitude.  It is the mind set of an optimist.   It enables a person to keep going with enthusiasm even when the odds are very long against you. 

A good positive attitude can be very helpful.   It is too easy to give up if you don't have a positive attitude.  Pessimists don't last long in treasure hunting.  And it would seems to me that pessimists struggle unnecessarily with life.

One way to maintain a good attitude is to have smaller goals as well as a large one.  Take pleasure in the little things as well as the big.  Don't define success too narrowly. 

Appreciate the little things in life.  The sun, the wind, the rain, the feel of sand between your toes, the relief of being in the water on a hot day, etc. 

Count your blessings.  Make it a habit.

Take advantage of obstacles and failures.  Learn from them.  Turn them around.  

Optimism leads to success, and success leads to optimism.   

Did someone need that today?  I thought about not posting it, but felt like I needed to.


Here is the new projected track of weakening Dorian.

Beach detecting conditions remain unchanged so far.  Most beaches are sandy and many have a lot of shells.

The ocean is smooth this morning.  The surf will be increasing up to a peak of about 2 - 4 feet Wednesday, and according to the predictions, decreasing again.

It looks like nothing is going to shake the beaches up for a while.


The poll is progressing nicely.  I hope the results will show our government officials the importance of detecting to the public and its impact on the region.

Thanks for responding.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/26/13 Report - 17th-century Wreck, Google Maps, Deep Water Wreck, CIA Museum, and Dorian

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

Shipwreck Artifacts
Source: wtop.com

These artifacts include 17th-century Dutch paving bricks, cobble stones, 17th-century Sgraffito sherds, and pipe stems which were excavated from a shipwreck 10 feet deep in the St. Mary's River.

The ballast rocks are thought to be from England.

Here is the link to the photo gallery and more of the story.

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=864&sid=3400314&relgal=true#idx6


Crews from Google are now creating panoramic photo views of Florida's beaches that will soon be available through Google Maps.

Here is that link.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-07-24/floridas-beaches-to-be-available-on-google-maps#rshare=email_article

Deep Water Wreck
Photo: Noaa

A 19th century shipwreck found by the Shell Oil Company is said to be the deepest currently being excavated in US waters.  The wreck is 4,300 feet beneath the surface.  Artifacts and two other wrecks were found nearby.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130725-shipwreck-gulf-mexico-19th-century-archeology-science/



NBC News reports on a secret CIA museum that you will probably never see.  The museum contains artifacts such as the AK-47 found beside Osama Bin Ladin when he was killed.

Learn more.

http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/24/19562895-secret-cia-museum-features-osama-bin-ladens-ak-47?lite

Here you see the latest projected track for Dorian which brings it near the Bahama by Wednesday.

It does no appear to be strengthening.  As far as I'm concerned that is good.  It doesn't take a massive hurricane to improve hunting conditions.

On the Treasure Coast we still have winds from the west and very smooth seas.

At this point the surf web sites are not predicting any big surf with Dorian.  The only thing they are showing now is 2 - 4 feet by next Tuesday.  That isn't much.  Of course, things could change by then.

We've been having very smooth water and a nice low tides.  There have been a good number (not a huge number) of fossils seen on the beach fronts where there are shells.  William M. found sharks teeth on Hutchinson Island, and I saw some fossils, including a fossil horse tooth.

There have been a lot of salvage boats working lately.  I saw about a half dozen at one beach yesterday.

So right now with the current beach conditions, it would be very very unusual to find a shipwreck coin or cob on the beach, which makes the button I showed yesterday all the more unusual.  It is more likely that you will see conglomerates near the beach fronts.  And of course with the hot weather and smooth seas, the water is very inviting right now even though the shallow areas will generally be very sandy.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/25/13 Report - Storm Dorian, Tons of Silver Bars, Old Mine Tailings, Abandoned Florida and Blog Poll

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

Track of Dorian?
National Hurricane Center

First, there is a storm that is forming in the Atlantic named Dorian.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/tropical-storm-to-approach-lee/15685176

It is too early to say where it will go.  Here is a possible track as shown by the National Hurriane Center.

Here is a stack of silver bars from the Gairsoppa just up from the ocean floor.



A new source of wealth is being found in old gold mine tailings.  The tailings contain valuable rare earth elements that are being extracted.


Here is the link about that.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/rare-earth-elements-mine-tailings/story?id=19739320


I don't believe our legislators and officials have any idea how valuable metal detecting and treasure hunting is to Florida and the Treasure Coast area.  They don't know how many people read about the Treasure Coast when the gold coins were discovered right off of Sebastian beach.  That story made national news.

They don't know how many people come to the Treasure Coast from other states to metal detect.  I know.  At least I have a good idea.   I meet them all the time.  I receive questions from them via email.  I look at the google statistics that tells how many people from other states and even countries read this blog about metal detecting and treasure hunting on the Treasure Coast.  This blog, itself, has over 600,000 hits.  And all of that without any effort or anything to publicize the blog on my part other than writing the posts.

They don't know how much money is spent on boats, diving equipment, metal detecting equipment and how much people spend when they come to the Treasure Coast to detect.

They don't know how many people move to the area or buy second houses because of treasure hunting.  I, for example, first came to the Treasure Coast to metal detect the shipwreck beaches.  That was a lot of years ago.  That was my only familiarity with the Treasure Coast.   When I decided to move out of South Florida, I moved to the Treasure Coast because I knew about it from my detecting trips.  And another member of my family later bought a house on the Treasure Coast.  That would never have happened if I didn't first come to the Treasure Coast to metal detect.

I'm sure I'm not alone.  Other people hear about the Treasure Coast because of the famous treasure that the area was named for.   After they hear about it, they visit for vacation and possibly move to the area eventually.  In both cases. it means a lot of economic activity for the area.

The poll that now appears on this blog will give us some good data that can be used to let our officials how important treasure hunting and metal detecting is to the Treasure Coast.

I hope you'll respond to the poll so that we have good data to share.


Last night I ran across an absolutely fascinating web site that lists a large number of old abandoned Florida tourist attractions.  Did you know that the Orlando area had a future world other than Epcot?   There are many attempted Florida amusement parks, museums and other tourist attractions that are now abandoned.  If you are like me you'll enjoy reading about these abandoned Florida locations that include things like Ancient World, Pirate World and Treasure Land.  It is interesting enough, but you might even get a few metal detecting leads.  Of course, most of these sites are not accessible now, but some of the abandoned sites are.

The story of Ancient World is interesting.  The developer dug into an indian mound in the Boca Raton area and has glass windows installed so you could see into the mound.  He also had a museum.  It never worked out for him even though he tried a few different locations.  Interesting story.

Take a look.  Here is the link.

http://www.lostparks.com/index.html


On the Treasure Coast this morning, the breeze is out of the west.  The surf is still smooth.  That won't change until Dorian gets closer - maybe Tuesday or Wednesday.

We'll have a nice low tide this afternoon.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/24/13 Report - Smooth Seas, Surprise Button and Photo Editing

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

Exposed Shipwreck Being Excavated.
Source CBCNews

Here is the link to the article about the shipwreck..

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2013/07/22/pei-georgetown-shipwreck-kristmanson-584.html



Sometimes things pop up when and where you aren't expecting them.  An old button was found yesterday (photos below) by a detectorist while detecting for modern items along the towel line.   It was found between a bunch of new beer bottle caps and a very shiny brand new penny.  I wonder if it had been passed over by other detectorists because of the surrounding junk targets.

The button is very worn - almost paper thin.   You can clearly see the circle of lettering on the back, but the button is too worn to make out the words at this point.  You can also see the base of the busted off shank, which on the ends is clean and shiny.  Maybe some more editing of the photo will reveal more detail.

Back of Old Button Above and Front Below.

No Discernible Design on the Front.

Below are some old finds from years back of the same period (18th & 19th century) for comparison.  This one appears to be most like the one below pointed out by the arrow.  Notice the circle with writing going around the button.

It appears to be made like that of the following illustration.

This illustration is from the following web site.

http://www.artifacts.org/patriotic.htm



Seems like a good idea to take your camera with you when you go to the beach in case you see something old.  The lighting is often very good at the beach.


Concerning photo editing, I found a web site that seems very handy.  It is free, requires no downloading and provides a number of nice photo editing features.  The site is fotoflexer.com.   Just go to the web site and upload any photo you want to work on.  Then when you have it the way you want it, just save it.  It is that easy.

Here is a video showing a Treasure Coast beach near low tide yesterday afternoon.  Notice the lazy ocean and shells near the water line.

Up to the north where I zoomed out I meant to zoom it to show the salvage boat at work.  Since I zoomed out when I should have zoomed in, you can only see the boat as a white dot.

The surf was down around 1 foot. Very slow and lazy.

There were a lot of shells - mostly small and broken though.   It is interesting to look through shell piles.  You never know what might be found there.

The beach front was gaining sand, but the area near the water was firm.  The beach above had a small sand bar on the front of the beach that was uncovered near low tide.

The video was made by a Sony CX230.  Pretty good video camera for the price.  It lacks an external mike jack though.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/23/13 Report - Pendant Find, Gold Prices, Odyssey Marine, Fake Coins, Unlooted Tomb and Detecting Formula

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

Heavy 14K & Diamond Pendant Find

The big news for me yesterday was the increase in the prices of gold and silver.  Gold went to over 1300 again.  You might remember it was way higher than that not too long ago, but took a dive.  Well yesterday, it regained over 6 percent in a day.  Not too bad!

Some are saying that silver will increase more rapidly and have a higher upside than gold.  And some are saying to expect another pull back in gold prices after the rapid increase.   You never know.

What I do know is that gold has risen dramatically over the past few years.

As for silver, I remember the days when the Hunt brothers once controlled so much silver that they pushed the prices up over $50 dollars an ounce.


This pendant find is heavier than a lot of rings.  Nice sized diamonds and sapphire.

As you know, the primary determinant of a diamonds value is quality, and after that, size.


The CEO of Odyssey Marine was on CNBC yesterday talking about the Gairsoppa and the business aspect of treasure hunting.


As you might know, there are a lot of fake coins out there.  The Chinese are making collectible and bullion coins and selling them like crazy.  I found a fake Credit Suisse bar once.   This article gives one quick and easy method for testing silver and gold coins.   Worthwhile, I think.

http://goldsilver.com/video/special-report-how-to-avoid-fake-silver-and-counterfeit-gold-products/



Archaeologists have found an unlooted royal tomb of a pre-Inca civilization from the year 700 to 100 in western Peru.  In the tomb they found more than 1,000 artifacts, including gold and silver jewelry and bronze axes.

Here is the link.

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/351312/description/News_in_Brief_Pre-Inca_empire_tomb_found_untouched_in_Peru


I've decided to create and refine the TreasureGuide (TG) MDS formula.  I've previously presented a little bit of it.

Here is the main part of the formula giving the four main factors in order of importance..    S = L x ToT x Sk x D

S stands for the amount of long term success.
L stands for the quality of the primary location where the detectorist lives.
ToT (Time on Task) is time spent detecting (includes research time as well as field time).
Sk for the skill level of the detectorist/
D stands for the quality of the detector or detectors used.

I was thinking of adding a fifth factor - E for effort.   Perhaps that factor could more accurately be described as Toughness.  Whichever I end up calling it, the factor indicates a willingness and ability to work in difficult circumstances and do difficult things.  For example, the willingness and ability to walk miles to reach an otherwise inaccessible location.  The willingness and ability to work in rough seas.  Living in a truck by the beach, etc.  That is a something that makes a definite difference.

I used to have a saying that I applied to detecting.  If you don't want to do it, do it.  One example would be working in rough seas when the bottom conditions are right and your ear phones keep getting knocked off of our head by the waves.   Or, working in a dip where it is impossible to use a scoop because of the packed rocks that won't give to a sand scoop.

That suggests another factor, C (creativity) for when you need to come up with alternate approaches to deal with difficult circumstances. 

Right now I have multiplication signs between the four main factors, but I'm sure as I refine this, some will be replaced by addition signs.  I doubt that all the factors are all multiplicative.  The only thing I feel real confident about at this point is the four main factors and their relative order. 

Let me know what you think.  What important factors am I leaving out?   Should any of the above factors be in another order?


One reader wants to do something about the current Florida laws that relate to detecting, but I haven't seen very much interest by others than that one fellow.  I'm a bit surprised by that.  


On the Treasure Coast beach detecting conditions remain unchanged.  We still have the south and southwest winds with a one to two foot surf.

For value, modern finds prevail right now.  Some rusty and encrusted artifacts are being found but not cobs or treasure coins in any number.

A nice low tide is coming up today around 3 PM.

One reader has maybe found an encrusted sward handle.  I'll report on that as we find out more.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/22/13 Report - Tons of Silver, Sea Scooter for Underwater Work & More

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

Silver Bar From Gairsoppa
Source: New York Daily News

Odyssey Marine Exploration has raised 1574 silver bars from the SS Gairsoppa, a ship sank by a German U-boat during World War II while caring a cargo of silver.  The Gairsoppa is three miles below the surface of the sea.  The value of the silver is expected to be over $35 million.

Here is the link for more on that story.

 http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/explorers-raise-silver-bar-ww-ii-shipwreck-article-1.1404808#ixzz2ZlDMp2JH

Thanks to Doug for the link.

Odyssey Marine was on the Today Show telling about the Gairsoppa silver on Monday morning.


While the price of Odyssey Marine common stock has risen lately (see chart below), it isn't near a 12-month high yet and was down a little in early trading Monday morning.  Maybe the news of the Gairsoppa silver will cause it to increase a little more.  Who knows?

OMEX Stock for the 12 Months

After a samll amount of cleaning on yesterday's mystery object, a small horizontal mark on the back of the object looks like something broke off.  It is starting to look like it was maybe some type of lapel pin.  The front seems like that might be the answer too.



Here is another report on the recent Capitana gold coins found off of Wabasso.  Shows some different stuff.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/florida-dive-boat-finds-48-gold-coins-lost-1715-article-1.1398835

Here is a new top-of-the-line Sea Doo Scooter.  It costs a little over a thousand dollars.  Cheaper models can be bought for around 3 or 4 hundred these days.

One detectorist that I  know occasionally uses an underwater scooter - an older model of course.

He spends more time completely underwater than most.   He snorkels rather than wades and will cruise along long stretches of resort beaches behind his scooter with his face in the water looking for a good dip to work.

He is a very productive detectorist and has been since the eighties. I would say he is one of the top three detectorist in the South Florida area that I know about. He is a member of one of the clubs, but does not publicize his detecting finds.  The two other of the top three remain completely stealth.  You are unlikely to ever see or hear about them.  Although this one is known to some extent, he has no web site or anything like that.   He detects water areas, including some that other people never get too.  The scooter helps him get to some of those areas more easily and quickly.

The scooter is also used at times to blow a little sand.

There are several advantages to working underwater rather than wading.  Of course many of the good areas are in shallow water that is too shallow for anything other than wading.  There are also some good areas in deeper water that most people don't get to.  And some areas are difficult to get to without a boat, but where if you did arrive with a boat, would be quickly removed.  A sea scooter can be used to get to areas like that.

Know your limits and stay safe.


On the Treasure Coast we are still having occasional rain showers, and we still have a one to two foot surf.  From the predictions, it looks like that will stay with us for a while.  The wind is out of the south.

This afternoon, low tide will be about 2 PM.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/21/13 Report - Mystery Object, Gold Madonna Sought Near Palm Beach & John Barry

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

Very Small Rectangular Heavy Detector Find

I often tell people to not throw a find away until they positively identify it or are sure that it isn't any good.  You'll sometimes miss things at first but then notice something much later - sometimes years later.   That happened to me with the above object.  It wasn't years later, but it was weeks later.

This little rectangle (sitting on my finger tip) was sitting around for a while.  It is unusually heavy but I hadn't paid any particular attention to it.  It has a green crust on top.  Then one day recently it was under a light, and all of a sudden I notice the cut stones sticking out of the crust.  I have arrows pointing to those stones in the photo above.  I hadn't noticed those before.

I suspect the item probably isn't anything significant, but it now has my interest.  I need to clean it and test it and see if I can determine what it is.

The back doesn't show anything of interest or significance.


Here an older example of the same thing.  It is a 18th Century shipwreck medallion that I've shown before.  It is a good example of what I am talking about.  It was in a jar with a bunch of encrusted coins for a long time (months at least) before it was discovered to be a medallion. That was discovered when the coins (and it) was being cleaned.  Then the shape emerged, and eventually after more cleaning the design and words became visible.

Notice the two indentations, one at the two o'clock position and one at the 10 o'clock position.  It might have had stones at one time too.  It has little bit of gold gilding remaining.

Spanish Shipwreck Medallion Found on Treasure Coast

A fabled gold Madonna statue is being sought near a 1659 Spanish wreck off the coast of West Palm by a local treasure hunter.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-golden-madonna-20130722,0,2469769.story

Thanks to Marsha R. for submitting the link.


Reviewing some of my old metal detecting records from when I was concentrating on gold at high-end resort areas, a few things jumped out at me.

1.  How many quality gold finds came from volleyball courts.

2.  How many good gold finds came from what I called "quarter holes," which are simply concentrations of quarters.

3.  How many times multiple gold items were found very close together.

4. How many times gold items were found in concentrations of rocks and stones in dips.

5.  How many times gold items were found in holes with several lead sinkers.

6.  How few times no gold was found.



I just looked at the most recent issue of The Whig, the newsletter of the Florida Chapter of the SAR,

Do you know where the last naval engagement of the Revolutionary war was fought?   Hint: it wasn't too far away from here.

Here are a couple of paragraphs from an article about John Barry, first flag officer of the US Navy, found in the most recent issue of The Whig.


While Barry recuperated, repairs to Alliance were undertaken, hastened by the decision to use the frigate to return the Marquis de Lafayette to France.  Alliance arrived off L’Orient on the northwest coast of France on January 17, 1782.

On March 10, 1783, the last Naval engagement of the Revolutionary War was fought off the coast of Cape Canaveral. 

Alliance defeated the 28 gun frigate Sybil.  At the time of the battle, Alliance, was convoying the Duc de Lauzun, carrying money and supplies from Havana, Cuba destined for the United States.  The action enabled the Duc de Lauzun to escape and complete its mission.


On the Treasure Coast today the sky looks like it might rain again.  The wind is from the southwest.  The surf is still down around 1 - 2 feet.

It looks like the low tide will be lower than normal today.  We'll see about that.

Beach detecting conditions have been poor for finding cobs on the beach but there are still a good number of encrusted objects and miscellaneous other old finds popping up.




Here is an interesting and controversial article that you might not want to read if you are easily offended by off-topic subjects.  Fair warning.

http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/10-ways-that-the-iron-grip-of-the-big-brother-prison-grid-is-tightening-on-all-of-our-lives


Happy hunting,
TreaureGuide@comcast.net

7/20/13 Report - Gold Cobs of the 1715 Fleet, Gold Shriner Medal, Fall Sedwick Coin Auction, Florida Statement on Metal Detecting

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

1714 Mexican Gold Cob
From goldcobs.com

If the recent gold coin finds from Sebastian has you in the mood for looking at gold cobs, here is a site where you can look at a good selection and even buy some if you want.   GoldCobs.com.   Many are graded and slabbed.

Another Nice Find from Fort Pierce Detectorist Rich R.

What did the settlers eat at Jamestown?  Eight hundred pound sturgeon were on the menu, but it appears that in bad times there might also have been cannibalism.

Here is the link to that story.

http://wydaily.com/2013/07/18/archaeologists-uncover-sturgeon-bones-near-cannibal-victim/



Concerning the next Sedwick Coins auction I received an email from Frank Daniel Sedwick which said the following.

This is a reminder that we have just one month left to receive your consignment for our first LIVE public FLOOR auction, scheduled for October 30, 2013, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, the only all-suite Downtown Disney® hotel located inside the Walt Disney World Resort® in Orlando, Florida.

Now is your chance to be a part of this inaugural event and take advantage of selling your collection in a fully live venue with an elite group of bidders attending from all over the world. Lot viewing will be on site the day before the auction, and special hotel rates and complimentary food and drinks will be offered during the auction in this exclusive event at an upscale hotel in one of the world's most-visited vacation cities with easy airport access and transportation.

The deadline for consignment to this auction (Treasure, U.S. and World Coin Auction #14) is August 17. Please send your consignments now, or let us know if you would like to meet us in person either at our office in Winter Park, Florida, or at your location, as we are traveling to meet consignors throughout July and early August. Remember, we will be at the ANA's "World's Fair of Money" in Rosemont (Chicago), IL, August 12-17, 2013, where you can discuss and deliver your consignments to us in person.

Please call 407.975.3325 or email us today at office@sedwickcoins.com
 

If you're not familiar the DoubleTree.  The DoubleTree is an all-suite hotel.  It is within walking distance to Downtown Disney and has free bus service to the parks.  Downtown Disney is being changed from what you might be familiar with



As I've said before, I often receive questions about the laws concerning metal detecting in Florida.  Lately I've provided the statements of various Florida officials concerning that subject.  Here is one more.

This is a briefing on the metal detecting laws received by Jon M. from Mr. Ken Detzmer. Secretary of State for the State of Florida.

This briefing serves to answer some general questions about the hobby of metal detecting on public lands in Florida and in state waters. It serves as an overview of what is often a complicated issue.    
Generally, metal detecting is allowed on the beach between the high water mark and the toe of the dune and the hobbyist is allowed to keep what is found. There are exceptions to this general rule.  

The use of metal detectors is prohibited on all state park lands, except for coastal parks in the beach zone between the high water mark and toe of the dune.  Park managers have the authority at coastal state parks to further restrict the use of metal detectors and prohibit their use on the beach.  A hobbyist interested in metal detecting should contact the park manager for the specific rules at the park he wishes to visit.  
  
There are also city, county, and federal exceptions to the general beach rule.  National parks and military installations usually prohibit metal detecting on the beach but not always; again, the park or land manager should be contacted.  A few coastal communities prohibit metal detecting by city or county ordinance; signs are usually posted.  Also, some condominiums, restaurants, and resorts discourage or prohibit metal detecting on the beach in front of their property; local ordinance would authorize these restrictions. Metal detecting rules on public land are not easily explained except that a hobbyist interested in metal detecting should check with the land manager of the property, be it at a state park, city beach, or otherwise.  

Metal detecting in the water is easier to explain. Below the average high tide mark is state sovereign submerged bottomlands where all artifacts belong to the state, and archaeological excavation is not allowed without proper permitting from this office. In most cases permits from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corp of Engineers are also necessary. Digging or destruction of buried archaeological remains without the proper permitting from the Division of Historical Resources is a 3rd degree felony. Since the solitary function of a metal detector is to locate buried metallic items and then recover the buried object by digging, this activity is not allowed in the water.  


Archaeologists are concerned with the integrity of a site, and those employed by the public are charged with managing archaeological sites in public ownership. They are foremost interested in information; what is found on the beach has typically been washed in from offshore and usually will not help explain a site once separated (sometimes by miles) from its context. A shipwreck site found under a beach and newly exposed is a different matter altogether. Shipwreck artifacts like ceramic sherds that wash up on the beach, for example, only tells us that people historically used plates, which is already understood, but ceramics embedded in the context of a wreck site, as part of its total artifact assemblage, could help us understand, date, and identify that specific shipwreck.  

I want to express my appreciation to both Mr. McClarnon, whose statements I posted a couple of days ago, and Secretary Detzner for addressing our concerns and to Jon Morgan for sending me their responses.  

Notice in particular what I've stated before in this blog to the effect that artifacts on the beach have no remaining context and may have come from miles away before being found on the beach.  

As you can see there are more prohibitions expressed against digging than detecting.  Yet they dredge thousands of tons of sand and dump it on the beaches on a nearly continual basis.   Any depressions made by detectorists sifting sand in the ocean, by contrast, lasts no more than a few minutes before nature obliterates any sign of the movement.  Some fish do more.  I can't really figure that out.

I hope that all detectorists will help protect archaeological sites and report any finds that might be significant. As many have said, the situation can be confusing.  If you do not recall Mr. McClarnon's statements that I posted a couple of days ago, you might want to go back and read that.  You might find contradictions in the laws or how they are interpreted and enforced.  That is nothing new.  

Go to the extreme to do the best you can to comply with any and all laws.  Exercise good sense.  Don't make trouble for yourself or the hobby.

My recommendation is always, if there is any question and there is a life guard on duty, they will tell you if you are not allowed to detect that beach.   


On the Treasure Coast it seems we are in for a long period of 1 to 2 foot surf.  The wind will be mostly from the south.   

Low tide today will be around 12:30 PM.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

7/19/13 Report - Ahah!!! How You Might Actually See and Photograph the Halo Effect! Kirlian Photography and Metal Detecting

Kirlian Photograph of US Half Dollar.
Source from link below.

One note before I get started on my main topics today: they discovered some timber on the north end of the Margarita site and are thinking that some of the ship might have gone farther north, so they'll be investigating up that way some more.


I was reading a great article on the Halo Effect as it relates to metal detecting when I experienced one of those moments when you put things together and come up with a totally new realization.  That is supposed to be when you yell Eureka or Ahah!   Anyhow,  I was reading about the halo effect when I realized that I may have actually taken photographs of the Halo Effect many years ago -  long before I became involved in metal detecting.

Below you will see pictures of the Kirlian photography system that I assembled back in the seventies.

You might want to first read this article on the Halo Effect.   It is a very good article on the Halo Effect and how it relates to metal detecting.

http://www.njminerals.org/metaldetecting-haloeffect.html

(Thanks to Robert K. for submitting this link.)


You ask how you can photograph the Halo Effect.  The answer is Kirlian photography. 

In 1939 Semyon Kirlian discovered that you could photograph the aura of an object by placing the object on a photographic plate in a high-voltage electric field. The photographic image looks like a colored halo or coronal discharge.

Images created by Kirlian photography were mistakenly thought by some to be a physical manifestation of the spiritual aura or "life force."  What is actually recorded is the result of natural phenomena including pressure, electrical grounding, humidity and temperature. Changes in moisture barometric pressure, and voltage will produce different 'auras'.  So what is actually seen on the photographic plate is gas ionization around the object - living or not.  


Here is a link where you can read more about Kirlian photography and auras.

http://www.skepdic.com/kirlian.html

And here is a link where you can find the Kirlian photo of the coin shown above plus a variety of other Kirlian photographs of coins and other objects.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kirlian+photograph+of+a+coin&id=488C10464835EA7AE5DD735739335BE5CC19D7E3&FORM=IQFRBA#a

And here is the Kirlian photography system that I once assembled in an old brief case.

Kirlian Photography System Assembled in Brief Case

Inside the case (top photo) you see a variable voltage trasnformer and a high frequency induction coil.

On top of the case is a metal electrode plate and a glass dielectric plate.  The glass plate is placed over the electrode plate, then Polaroid film places on top of the glass plate and the object to be photographed placed on top of the Polaroid film.  Then, while in a completely dark room, push the button (white seen through the hole in the case) and the aura is created and picked up by the film.

Unfortunately I can't find any of the old photos I took with this equipment.  I should be able to make some new ones once I warm up this old system.

I went a little mad scientist on you today, but I got excited when I realized that I might actually be able to take a photograph of the Halo Effect, or at least something very similar.   Not exactly as it would be in the ground, of course.  Still, it is a halo effect and it seems to me that many of the same principles apply. I'll have to think more about how the signal from the detector actually excites the object and the field around it.

That suggests a lot of experiments.  I need a few more life times to get all of that done though.


Here are a few of the main points from the Halo Effect article crudely summarized.

Test gardens aren't much good unless they are old because the Halo Effect hasn't formed on newly buried objects.  New test gardens are not much better, if any, than an air test.

Noble metals ionize in the ground too.

Some environments create the Halo quicker than others, such as moist and acid environments.

I recommend reading the entire article.


On the Treasure Coast this morning, nothing much new in the way of beach conditions.   No wind yet.  The surf is still around 1 or 2 feet.  Expect that to continue for a few days, at least.

There is no organized activity in the tropics to watch.

Low tide today will be about 11:30 AM.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net


A need is the first step to a solution.  There are no victories without battles.  In religious terms, a need is the first requirement and ingredient in the making of a miracle.   TG.

7/18/13 Finds, Metal Detecting Laws & More

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

A Musket Ball Found by Rich R.
Photo by Rich.

First I'll show a couple of nice finds by Rich R.  I showed some of his other finds the other day.

Above is a musket ball from Fort Pierce beach.  Notice the patina on this one.  I discussed how sand buried musket balls tend to have a whitish patina, while, as William M. said, those found in oxygen-scarce water environments do not.

Gold Medallion Found by Rich R.
Photo submitted by Rich

By the image I would guess this gold medallion one to be early 1900s.

Thanks for the photos Rich.  Nice finds!


Not too long ago I posted a series of posts giving statements and summaries on the rules and regulations concerning detecting in Florida.  I posted information from at least three different Florida State agencies or organizations.  This is an important topic and one that I hope to keep you somewhat informed about, and one which even the officials agree is confusing.  I do receive a lot of questions about metal detecting laws.

Jon Morgan forwarded to me a statement he received from Daniel McClarnon, Underwater Archaeologist for the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research, who said, We are in the process of updating our webpage to help clarify the confusing issue of metal detecting on public lands.  Metal detecting is generally prohibited on public lands with the exception of some beaches between the high water mark and the toe of the dune; you can keep what is found on the beach.  Collecting historic artifacts (older than 50 years) in state waters is prohibited, and metal detecting in state waters within areas of the contracts and permits will likely draw more attention for someone to check in on you to make sure you are not collecting artifacts.

Mr. McClarnon went on to say, If you are out in the surf metal detecting (other than in the admiralty areas mentioned), and find modern items, no one will bother you, including law enforcement.  If any questions arise, even concerning complaints or law enforcement, feel free to contact me.

I'm pleased with the statements and attitudes expressed by Mr. McClarnon, who expresses a very productive and enlightened attitude that recognizes the detecting public of Florida.  I've said before that the Florida officials that I've had contact with have been friendly and helpful.

I've argued repeatedly in the past that the metal detecting and treasure hunting communities are some of the strongest supporters and allies of historians and archaeologists.

Jon also sent me a copy of a briefing that he received from the  Ken Detzner, Secretary of State,  for Florida.  I'll have that for you tomorrow.


I continue to hear how the guys of the Capitana "earned, and deserved" their most recent success.  One more Treasure Coast salvage contractor, who happened to be helping on the Capitana the day they discovered the gold coins, reiterated how happy they were for the crew of the Capitana.  

Once more, congratulations guys!


Elle R couldn't find Bill P's coin cleaning instructions that was listed in my link reference list.  I had deleted some of the oldest posts.  As a result the link didn't work so I sent Elle Bill's instructions by email, and she said they worked fine.

One reason I bring this up is that I deleted some of my oldest posts, so you might find some links that don't work.  I'll try to get that fixed some day.  Sorry if you've run into that.


I mentioned that I put a new wood handle on my scoop after the aluminum handle broke.  All it took was two one-inch U bolts with the bar that comes with them, and one 1 x 1 x 60 in. piece of wood, a wrench and a drill.  I might make a video to show how easy that conversion is.

I also have some other things I haven't gotten around to showing yet.


On the Treasure Coast today the surf is 1 - 2 feet.  The prediction is for that to stay the same for about a week.  That means you'll have plenty of good low tide and water detecting time.

Low tide today is about 10:30 AM.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net
 

 

7/17/13 Report - George III Coin, Dual Surf PI Detector, Four Factors For Detecting Success & More

Written by the Treasure Guide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

A Couple Treasure Coast Finds by Rich R.
Photo submitted by Rich.

Rich R. sent in some photos of finds, including the above.  Rich is a Fort Pierce detectorist that hunts the Treasure Coast.  He has a very nice group of finds!

Thanks for the photos Rich.

George III was born in1738 in London and became King in 1760 succeeding his grandfather George II.

Here is what the profile would look like.  This is just an illustration and not the same coin shown above.

King George III Illustration

Recent news of the 48 gold coins discovered off of Sebastian should let you know that despite what some people think, it hasn't all been found.  New discoveries will be popping up from time to time for a long time to come.


Yesterday I mentioned the fellow that sold me one of my first detectors, Jerry.  It turns out that James Fielding, one of the readers of this blog, had written an article that was published in a treasure magazine about Jerry and his wife back in the eighties.   James sent me a copy of the article, and I was able to verify what I remembered and correct an item or two.

First of all, Jerry's wife's name is Susan.  I found that in James' article.

Secondly, I mentioned that they detected the shallow water every low tide for a month.  As the article states, it was actually three months.  The had their clock set to go off before every low tide for three months, and got out there and did it.  That is  commitment.

As I mentioned a few days ago, detecting success is determined largely by three factors.  The first being location: the second being time on task: and the third, skill.   They certainly put in their time.  And they did very well.

The article that James wrote also talked about the detecting club they that ran.  I wasn't a part of the club, but observed some of the club activities on a couple of occasions when I happened to be hunting close to where the club hunt took place.  On one occasion, I stuck my head up out of the water and saw the club hunting on the beach next to where I was.

A few days ago I mentioned how members of a Treasure Coast club and Central Florida detecting club helped law enforcement find clues to solve a murder.  James' article told about how Jerry's detecting club was enlisted to find lost grave's of veterans.  They were able to detect the buried bronze markers and relocate the lost graves.   There is another example of a service provided by detectorists.

Thanks for the info and article James.


I snapped a handle to a scoop that I was using yesterday.  It was an aluminum handle.  That isn't my preference, but I was using it because it was handy, and I figured I'd use it until it broke.  It lasted longer than I ever expected.  I quickly replaced the aluminum handle with a nice 1 x 1 wood handle.

My previous wood handle lasted nearly twenty years before breaking.  The stainless steel scoop is still good.   I much prefer wood handles anyhow.


I mentioned my top three factors in detecting success - location, time, and skill.   The fourth would be detector.   Some detectors are definitely better for specific tasks than others, but a skilled detectorist can get more out of a poor detector than a poor detectorist can get out of a good detector.  Of course there is an interaction, but those are my top four factors, and the order that I would give them.

I like using different detectors from time to time.  I even like using a really poor detector once in a while for the challenge of it and what you can learn.   Get one of those $19.95 detectors and see what you can find with it.  You might be surprised to learn that you can actually find some things, mostly rusted relics, but it will take all of the skill you can summon to find anything  very interesting.  Of course you can find things eye-balling too.

The other day I was testing out a Whites Dual Surf PI for a guy.   There were some things I liked about it and some things I didn't like about it.  It is light and well balanced and easy to swing on land.

The battery compartment is easy to access and separate from the circuitry.  I like that.  It seems to detect fairly well.

Coins came through loud and clear, but there was little indication in the signal of the type of metal.  Iron sounded the same as other metals.  It took me a little while to get used to the erratic threshold.  The coil wanted to float to the surface of the water and it was it wasn't easy to swing under water.  It is definitely a good detector, but in my opinion has some definite draw backs.  In the short time I used the detector I'm sure that I didn't master it, so maybe some of the shortcomings were due to my lack of experience with the detector.




Surf This Morning on the Treasure Coast

There was about six inches of sand evidently removed by the last high tide on at least one Treasure Coast beach.

The surf was about 2 - 3 feet this morning.  The surf will drop down to about 1 foot by Saturday.  Of course that means no significant erosion in the mean time, but not too bad for water hunting.

The next low tide will be about 10 PM tonight.

Tomorrow I'll discuss a very informative article that was recently sent to me.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net