12/31/15 Report - Happy New Year. All-Time Most Read Posts. Higher Surf Predicted. A Few Finds.

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

1909 New Years Greeting Card.

To the left of this post you'll see a list of the top ten all-time posts of this blog.  One 2015 post made the list.

The list is biased towards older posts because they continue to accumulate.  It isn't easy or newer posts to make the list.

Hopefully we'll get a good start on the new year.  A 5 - 8 foot surf is now predicted for January 5. As you know the predictions aren't always correct, but if we do get something like what is predicted, there is a good chance for beach conditions to improve.  There will be a north wind or a few days too.

Some of the beaches have lost a good bit of renourishment sand, so we have a decent chance if we get some good new action.

I haven't been much interested in hunting modern jewelry lately.  I did a little though just for the heck of it and came up with a couple gold finds.  Here is one.

14K Peridot Ring Find.

Here are a few finds that although they have no value, I found a little interesting.

Old Glass

I would say this glass is at least early 20th century.  Older bottle glass is thicker than the glass in modern bottles, might have bubbles and is more variable in thickness.  Modern glass is very thin and of a uniform thickness.

White Pumice - I think.

I've been seeing white pumice on some Treasure Coast beaches lately.  Most of the pumice that I've seen in the past was dark grey.  I think that is what it is.  Pumice was used to scrub centuries ago and I suppose still is.

I'm not going to post a lot today.  Mainly wanted to say Happy New Year that a higher surf is predicted for next week.  That is something to watch.

Happy New Year,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/30/15 Report - The TreasureBeachesReport Year In Review - Most Read Posts Month by Month.

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


It's been quite a year.  There have been a lot of finds, including some very big ones.  I've met a lot of good people, felt like I contributed a little here and there and had a lot of fun.

I think when you get as old as me and a lot of your loved ones and friends have passed away, you get a better feel for how precious life is.

As I said the other day, this is a good time to reflect on the past and plan for the future.  I've done a little of both.  Today I decided to list the most read posts of each and every month of 2015.

Here they are.



1/2/15 Report -  2015 Beach Renourishment Projects. Dredging And Dredged Sand Around the Treasure Coast.

2/22/15 Report -  New Authoritative Research On The Gold Pelican-in-Piety Of The 1715 Fleet.


3/3/15 Report -  Two BIG gold  Metal Detector Finds!   The Will To Discover!


4/4/15 Report - $100,000 1715 Fleet Gold Bar.  Charles Garrett Gone.  More Palm Beach Renourishment.


5/25/15  Report -  Memorial Day Post


6/21/15 Report -   Crew Of Capitana Finds Gold Escudo and More.  Florida Fossils.


7/27/15 Report - MILLION DOLLARS Of Treasure Recently Found On A Treasure Coast Shipwreck Site.  The Difference Between Compact And Mushy Sand.


8/19/15 Report -   YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS!   New Treasure Finds From The Treasure Coast - Just Released.


9/8/15 Report - Excellent Silver Coin Cache Found!  Two Types of Treasure Coast Beaches. Tropical Depression Grace.


10/4/15 Report - Beach Emerald Found.  Iron Artifacts.  Don Diego De Vargas.  7 Foot Surf Predicted For Tuesday.


11/27/15 Report - Beach Detecting Conditions Rating Increased To Level 2.  Coin Clusters Being Found On T. C. Beaches.


12/11/15 Report -  Cargo On The Beach.  Treasure Comes In Many Forms.



Of course the biggest news of the year was the big find by the guys of the Capitana.  Captain Jonah, Bill and Dan came up with $4.5 million in gold coins.  You can't beat that.

There were other big finds during the year.  There were some finds that I was never able to talk about.

The list isn't very surprising to me.  There are posts about big finds, artifacts, historical research,  storms, beach renourishment and detecting conditions, and even some posts that are nothing more than my meandering thoughts.

The blog quickly blew through the 1 million hits mark this year.  I'm pleased about that because I do no marketing or anything to promote the blog.  It is all because of the content.  However, the most read post of the blog (not this year but over the entire history of the blog) was because of an article in the CNN Travel section.

I learned some things this year and will attempt to advance my understanding next year.  I'm sure some of my new friends will help me with that.  I have some definite areas for new investigations. It will be exciting.

If you are new to this blog or want to go back and review, you an easily find each of the above listed posts.  One way is to use the search box.  Usually all you will have to do is enter the date ie. 5/25/15 and that will bring up the post.

If you keep good records of your finds, it would be a good time to go back and review them and see what it might tell you.

Some people made great gains in one way or another this year.  I'm happy about that.  I like to see people progress an succeed, especially when I feel I might have contributed in some small way.

I know I'm a day early but Happy New Year.

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/29/15 Report - Beaches and Rocks. Entertaining Angels Unaware.

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

Morning Clouds On A Treasure Coast Beach

Small Rocks and Stones On Treasure Coast Beach.

I haven't been talking much about how sand and things move on a beach.  I will be talking about beach profiles and similar things again soon.

Here is a picture showing a beach where stones were accumulating on a beach.  They were up to about a foot and a half in diameter.  It is just an indication of how things like that are washing up at that location.  And as I've said many times, it has to do with density and size and shape - not weight. There might be other things washing up nearby.

Sometimes it appears that unmoved rocks were uncovered, when actually they washed up or out.

Expect a few days of three foot surf.

I have some recent finds to show - both old and modern.  I'll get around to that some day soon.

---


I really enjoy Christmas and always have.  After all of the excitement, people tend to slow down a bit and reflect on the old year and think about the possibilities for the new year.  That is what I've been doing.

One thing I was thinking about is how some people seem to be like black holes.  No matter what you do for them or give them, all the good will is quickly consumed and disappears.  They aren't grateful.  They aren't thankful.  They don't appreciate what people do for them.  They somehow feel short-changed and have a very negative view of other people and the world. As a result, they are critical, nasty and create ill-will when and where they could just as easily create good will.

Unlike those people, there are grateful generous people who appreciate what you do for them, and they multiply it, giving it out again many times over and as a result receive more themselves.

The phrase "angels unaware" has been on my mind.   It comes from a Bible passage that warns people to be hospitable because you never know when a stranger might actually be an angel.  The Hebrew and Greek words translated "angel" in the Bible also means "messenger."

It doesn't matter if you believe in angelic beings walking the earth or not, the more general point is that you never know who a stranger might be and what opportunity or gift they might represent.  As a result, taking a person too lightly or dismissing them as unimportant or insignificant is an easy way to miss an opportunity.

I'm not just moralizing here.  This applies very much to metal detecting and treasure hunting..

I remember one time when I was looking out over a beach on a stormy day and another fellow came up and starting talking to me.  He told me something that I knew was clearly wrong. It had to do with the location of a treasure wreck.  He got insulted that I didn't agree with him.  He evidently got angry and went off muttering something or other.  I was just trying to tell him what I believed to be the case.  He took it as an insult.

There are times when opportunities stand right in front of you and you don't realize it and as a result miss out.  I'm sure I've done it many times myself.

It is like the waitress that served my family and I on Christmas Eve.  She was pleasant, attentive and went beyond what she had to do and as a result got two or three times the tip she would have received otherwise.  She had been working very long hours and it would have been very easy for her to feel tired, over-worked, agitated, get nasty and rude and miss out.

Pioneering treasure hunter Art McKee was well known for his generosity and willingness to share, He often met tourists who pulled into the parking lot of his treasure museum, and even if the museum was closed, he would sometimes give personal tours.  Many stories were told by people who pulled into the parking lot and without knowing who he was, struck up a conversation and ended up receiving a personal tour or even a chance to dive on one of his sites. Others didn't recognize him and paid him no attention and quickly drove off, missing the chance of a lifetime.

Often a conversation with a stranger on the beach will result in a good tip.  Don't do it for that reason though.  It seems to work much better when your motives are not selfish.  When you are giving, that makes others feel like giving too.

There is no way to know how many such opportunities you might have missed.  I do know of many times when I was eager to help someone in one way or another, perhaps with a gift or assistance but then some rude or dismissive action killed the opportunity.

There are reasons that some people seem to receive a lot more than others.  It is not all just an accident. Some people by their generosity and positive attitude tend to draw good to them, while others seem to repel what they are seeking.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying that only good people do well in life and if life has been tough for you, it is your fault.  Sometimes it is, but sometimes it isn't.  It is not all about trying to get the most you can for yourself.  It isn't all about material gain and worldly success. If you read me that way, you are not getting all of what I am saying.

You never know who a stranger might be or what opportunity they might represent.  There might actually be an angel of sorts at your door.  Don't turn him or her away.  A rude comment or selfish attitude might cost you much more than you could ever guess.

Respect others.  Don't be eager to find fault or take offense.  Build up a bubble of goodwill around you by being kind, forgiving, generous and seeking to appreciate the good qualities of others. 

---

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/28/15 Report - Beaches Around The Treasure Coast. A Few Interesting Spots. How To Display And Wear Your Own Favorite Finds.

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

Two Detectorists and Family Near Low Tide Yesterday

There were really a lot of beach goers on the Treasure Coast yesterday.  And as you can see, there were a lot of detectorists too.  These guys looked like they might have got new detectors for Christmas.

A lot of snow birds are in town now.

I hated the sun and heat.  Give me wind, clouds and rain.  I like that much better.

Broad Flat Front Beach Near Low Tide Yesterday

This low front beach didn't look all bad.  It might have been worth checking with a good deep seeking detector.  I wouldn't be shocked if a few old items were found.

Rocks Showing Near Low Tide At Another Beach

This beach was not like the one shown at the top of the page.  It was softer and a little more convex.

There were some small less than one-foot cuts along the top of the beach here.  The cut ran for miles. This beach is actually getting back close to where it was years ago.  The rocks also show that the beach is back farther than it has been.  Additionally, up the beach a ways there was a definite dip that would definitely be worth checking.  I didn't have time yesterday when I was there.

Thanks to the full moon, we've been having some nice high tides and even some negative low tides.

Yesterday I found a nice old pot shard and a small old fossil just walking the beach without my detector.

I'm keeping my Treasure Coast beach conditions rating at a 1 but there are still some interesting spots out there.

---

Have you ever wanted to get your favorite coin mounted so you could wear and display it?  Maybe you've seen cobs or other coins mounted in expensive custom-made mounts.  There are other options. You don't have to spend a lot to wear your own finds.

Here is something neat.  It is a floating charm locket.

Floating Charm Locket With Top Off.

The front and back is transparent, and the front screws off so you can insert whatever small item will fit.  In the above picture, I am showing a two reale that was found last month.

Floating charm lockets come in different sizes.  The two reale fits in this one very nicely.

Display one coin one day and another some other day.  It is easy enough to switch items.

Locket With Reale Ready To Be Used As Pendant.

All you have to do is insert the item and screw the top on.

You can also get ready made bevels of different types that will fit coins.  Some are made of gold and other materials.

Rio Grande is a company that sells a large variety of such things.

---

I'm glad I can present authoritative research like Laura Strolia's article on the Potosi heart-shaped cobs. You won't find that information just anywhere.  It is original research that extends the existing body of knowledge.

Thanks Laura.

You might want to read her book on the Marigalera of the 1715 Fleet.  You can find it for purchase online.

You can also search this blog for her other writings that I have posted.

---

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/26/15 Report - Newest Authoritative Historical Research On The Sacred Heart Cobs Of Potosi. Special Edition.

12/25/15 Report - MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL. A few vintage Christmas Items.

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

1904 Christmas Card.

Metal Skater.

I know there are some people that are facing difficult situations today.  Maybe it is the recent death of a loved one, illness or family conflict.  In that case, I want to wish you the faith to get through it.

I wasn't going to do a post today but there were some Christmas things I felt like sharing.

The metal skater shown here was one of several figures that my grandma always used to create a little Christmas wonderland scene.  There was a white fuzzy cloth that served as snow, a round mirror that was the frozen pond and several other figures, mostly metal like this one.

There was also a male skater and a fellow on a sled, bottle brush trees and various animals and other things.

I remember them being used sixty years ago, so they are vintage if not antique.

They are made of lead and manufactured by Barclays.  It seems the different figures in good condition sell for something like 4  to 9 dollars.

They are of a scale that is close to O gauge trains such as Lionel and are often use in train gardens.

Those kinds of things can be found if you metal detect around older homes.

I'm glad to have these ones and the memories associated with them.

If you are old enough you might remember the little cardboard buildings that were put under the Christmas tree fifty or sixty years ago.  I believe this particular one came from my wife's family. I don't know if I can find the ones that came from my family, but I know we had some.

Notice that the windows are gone.  Children couldn't resist poking their fingers through the cellophane windows.  I bet that ninety percent of those that survived have no windows.  I think I'll try to put new windows in this one.

You can actually create new buildings like this fairly easily.  Last year my wife made one that is modeled after my actual childhood home.  It is now under the Christmas tree with the vintage ones. They happen to be close to the right scale for an HO train.

The Christmas card shown at the top of this post was sent to my grandfather from his grandmother around 1909.  On the back of the card said she would send "leggons" for him to wear to church.

That is a very collectible German post card.  One of the many types of old collectibles that I really enjoy.

Here is a quick video clip to end today.

We had a nice full moon last night and the tides are bigger.

Best wishes to all!
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/24/15 Report - Christogram Pendant Find.

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

Pendant Find by Brian H.
Photo by Brian H.

First off, I'm wishing you all a very merry Christmas.  May it be filled with wonderful memories that last a lifetime.

Yesterday I received this picture of a pendant that was found a couple of years ago by Brian H.  Brian asked how he could get an appraisal.

I don't think the value would be any greater than the melt value of gold, if that is what it is made of.

As I often suggest, many pawn shops or jewelry stores will test metals if you ask them.

I decided that this would be an excellent time to explain the pendant.  You'll see why.

It is called a Christogram.   Here is what Wikipedia says.  A Christogram is a monogram or combination of letters that forms an abbreviation for the name of Jesus Christ, traditionally used as a Christian symbol. The term Christogram comes from the Latin phrase "Christi Monogramma", meaning "monogram of Christ."

The front shows four Greek letters.  Greek, you might know, is the original language of the New Testament.

On the far left and right are alpha and omega.   "Alpha and omega" is an expression used in the Bible several times and refers to Christ.  It is found in the last book of the Bible in Revelation 1:8, 1:17-18, and 22:13.  

The expression is also found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah (written in Hebrew), which is the prophetic book which gives the prophecy of the Messiah to be born of a virgin.

Isaiah 44:6, for example, says "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.'"

In between the alpha and omega are two more Greek letters, Chi and Rho.  In Greek those are the first two letters of the name "Christ."

The big X is the Chi, and the thing in the middle that looks like a big "P" is the rho.

You will often see this Chi Rho combination used as a monogram of Christ.

On the back is a Latin phrase, pax vobiscum, meaning "peace with you" or "peace be with you."

And the word "Roma", suggesting Rome as the place of manufacture.

Back of Same Pendant

There is a lot of information and significance found on that pendant. While this pendant may not be old or monetarily valuable, it says a lot.  It provides a great  example of how much an artifact can say if you know how to read it.

Research suggests that the book of Isaiah goes back to at least the 8th Century BCE.  The pendant itself might not be very old, but the design and message extends back thousands of years.

---

I'm not expecting any real change in beach detecting conditions for a few days.

Merry Christmas,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/23/15 Report - Recent Treasure Coast Reale Finds. Collection of Small Gold Ornamental Finds.

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

Cob Find and Photo by Terry S.

Terry says this and the following reale were found about a week ago.  Nice finds Terry!  They cleaned up very nicely.

Another Cob Found by Terry S.

You can see from the cross that these cobs are from Mexico.  Only a small amount of the shield is showing.

Thanks for sharing Terry.

There were other cobs found in December and some other things I plan to show.

---

Nice Collection of 16th Century Gold Items Found by Detectorists.

Here is a collection of small gold decorative items found by detectorists on the banks of the Thames over a period of years.  It is thought they could all be from the same ornate hat.

Here is the link for that story.

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/23/tiny-tudor-treasure-hoard-found-in-thames-mud

It is nice when related items can be assembled into a cohesive meaningful collection.  That is one thing the Antiquities Scheme accomplished in this case.

---
 

Can you believe we are coming to the end of 2015?  Sees like not very long ago I was talking about starting a new year.  Time flies.

It looks like there won't be any improvement in beach detecting conditions for the next week or so.  The wind will be mostly from the southeast and the surf will be around three feet.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/22/15 Report - A Few Recent Treasure Coast Finds. Beach Conditions. Important Viking Hoard Found.

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

Emerald, Spike and Copper Finds.

I've been busy lately trying to keep up with beach changes.  That is a good thing.  Since October we've actually had some erosion and a few periods of improved beach hunting conditions.  It has been better than all summer by a large amount and better than at least the previous winter or two.  I had to do a lot of checking around to keep up with it all

I didn't get around to posting many finds lately.  Above are a few miscellaneous finds from December. On the piece of copper is a small emerald and a spike.  There were some cobs found and other artifacts.  I'll try to post some of those soon.

Yesterday afternoon I checked around and the beaches and those that I saw didn't look very good.

Monday Afternoon.

There was no erosion on this beach.  Notice the seaweed.

Frederick Douglas Beach. Monday Afternoon.

A few days ago this beach had tons of new sand piled up on the front beach. Then one morning the new sand had a small cut, which barely scratching the surface of the new sand.  Shortly after that sometime, much of the new sand got moved.  Now the beach looks more normal again.

At the top of the slope in front of the cliff is a bunch of shells, many of which got covered by one of the two most recent high tides. You can see a new layer of sand just a few inches thick that washed up during a recent high tide.  It partly covered many of the shells and some of the sea weed.  Sometimes you can see signs of how a beach developed over a period of days.  This is one of those cases.

---

Here is another important find by an amateur treasure hunter.  Detectorists contribute a lot of important finds.

A close up of some of the jewellery and ingots of a significant Viking Hoard found near Watlington, in Oxfordshire, England as they are displayed at the British Museum in London, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. The hoard contains 186 coins, seven items of jewellery and 15 ingots of precious metal. The items include rare coins from era of King Alfred the Great (871-899) and King Ceolwulf II (874-79) when the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex fought the invading 'Great Heathen Army' also known as the great Danish army, in the late 800's.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Here is the link to the entire article.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/viking-hoard-found-in-field-sheds-light-on-englands-origins/ar-AAgf9hq?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=UP97DHP

Thanks to William K. for sending the link.

---

We're going to have several days of moderate surf ( mostly 2 - 4 foot) and southeast winds.  That won't do much good.  Still I'm encouraged about the rest of the winter.  I think it looks promising.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/20/15 Report - Some Sand Sifting But Beach Conditions Not Much Improved Today.

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

South of the Turtle Trail Access This Morning.

(I forgot to push the Publish button.  This was suppose to post yesterday.)


I went out this morning to see if the beaches improved any more.  The answer was not much.

One location where there was a cut (one that I showed yesterday) the cut was filled in today.  The sand shifted.  A spot just to the north lost about a half of foot of sand, but just to the south where the cut was, the cut filled in again.

You can see the area south of Turtle Trail above.

Now the wind has shifted some more and is coming from a more of a southerly direction.  I'm not expecting much improvement to our beaches now.

The tides haven't been big lately.

I just took a look at a few beaches.  There may be some good spots somewhere, but overall conditions aren't much good in my opinion.

I'm sticking with a 1 beach conditions rating.

The surf is going to be in the range of 2 to 5 feet for a few days.

Pepper Park This Morning.

There were a few good but small dips along the coast.  Also there were a few dips forming between the beach and a sand bar.  That might create some decent water hunting when the water smooths out a little.

I'm not expecting good conditions in the next week or so, but am encouraged that we'll get some good hunting before the winter is over.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.netod

12/19/15 Report - Conditions Moving In Right Direction But Not Enough This Morning.

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

One Small Cut This Morning.

The wind shifted yesterday as predicted.  I heard it all night, so when I got up I went out to check the beaches.

The first beach had previously accumulated tons of sand.  There was a small cut there less than a foot high.  That barely scratched the surface of all the new sand.

I then took a look at Turtle Trail.  There was less erosion there, but there had been less recent accumulation too.  Still it wasn't quite ready to produce, in my opinion.

You can see the black sand.  In the cut you could see the layers of black sand (shown in the picture below).

Layers of Black Sand Showing In Cut.

North of Seagrape Trail This Morning Near Low Tide.

There was very little erosion around Turtle Trail near low tide this morning.  There were some nice shell piles.

Wabasso This Morning.

In summary, it looked like it was too early.  There was a small amount of erosion but not much.

The wind is continuing from the North this afternoon and could create more erosion today and tonight.  Hard to tell if it might be enough.

The surf today is 3 - 5 feet.  Tomorrow expect 4 - 6 feet.

The wind later today will be shifting from north to northeast, then tomorrow it will be more easterly.

Monday we'll be back to a south wind.

I expect a little more improvement today and tonight.  I don't know if it will be enough.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/18/15 Report - Settlement Site Earlier Than St. Augustine Discovered In Florida. Wind Shift This Afternoon.

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

5 PM Wind.
https://www.windyty.com/?2015-12-19-00,30.477,-80.112,6

As you know, the south wind dumped a lot of sand on our beaches.  The wind will change today around 4 PM.  It will then be coming from the north.  According to the surfing web sites, the surf will remain small today, then increase tomorrow.

---

The other big news today is about the Luna Settlement site that has been discovered.  Here is a bit of that story.

UWF archaeologists recovered numerous sherds of broken 16th century Spanish ceramics found undisturbed beneath the ground surface. They are believed to be pieces of assorted cookware and tableware, including liquid storage containers called olive jars. Small personal and household items were also among the findings – a lead fishing line weight, a copper lacing aglet and wrought iron nail and spike fragments. Additionally, the team recovered beads known to have been traded with Native Americans. These items are consistent with materials previously identified in the shipwrecks offshore in Pensacola Bay.

The artifacts were linked to the Spanish expedition led by Tristán de Luna y Arellano, who brought 1,500 soldiers, colonists, slaves and Aztec Indians in 11 ships from Veracruz, Mexico, to Pensacola to begin the Spanish colonization of the northern Gulf Coast in 1559. One month after they arrived, the colony was struck by a hurricane, sinking many of their ships and devastating their food supplies. After two years, the remnants of the colony were rescued by Spanish ships and returned to Mexico.

The Luna settlement inhabited Pensacola from 1559 to 1561, which predates the Spanish settlement in St. Augustine, Florida, by six years, and the English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, by 48 years...

Here is the link for the rest of the University of West Florida press release.

http://news.uwf.edu/luna/

Here is another link about the Luna site.  This article is longer.

http://www.pnj.com/story/news/2015/12/17/we-found-lunas-colony/77449884/

---

I saw a bag of coffee floating in the Indian River today.  I assume it is part of the lost cargo but don't know how it got into the river.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/17/15 Report - South Wind Brought Heat and Sand To The Treasure Coast Beaches. Metal Detector Advertised Return Policy.

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

I went out to visit a particular spot that was recently cut.  I had to walk about a mile to get there.  When I got there I saw two feet of new sand filling up the dip.  I did find a large piece of copper sheathing.  It was near the surface along with some shells.

Cuts can happen really quickly and they can disappear just as quickly.

John Brooks and Frederic Douglas had even more new sand today.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  It looked like we were back to mid-summer beach conditions.  There were a lot of shells near the high tide line.

The surf is down to around one foot today and tomorrow.  It will increase again this weekend, possibly up to as much as six feet.  The wind will also be shifting again.  I'm glad about that.  That south wind that has brought such hot December weather also dumped a lot of sand on our beaches.

I can't believe I was sweating on the beach in December.

I didn't get any pictures today.  I had to recharge my camera batteries.

---

If you are thinking about a new metal detector for Christmas, one of the large mail order metal detector companies is advertising a hassle-free 30 day return policy.  Excluded were certain high-end models.

I'm always skeptical of ads, and I'm not sure how hassle-free it would actually be if you really tried to return a detector after thirty days.

One ad that is very misleading is Tesoro's life-time guarantee.  They actually won't repair your detector after they determine it is "obsolete."  I have two Tesoro detectors that have, according to them, out-lived the lifetime guarantee.  So as far as I'm concerned that life-time guarantee is a dishonest hoax.

Back to the 30 day hassle-free return policy.

The requirements specified in the ad are as follows.

• Most hobby metal detectors are eligible for a full refund, exchange or store credit if returned within 30 days of purchase. All professional line metal detectors such as commercial, industrial and security machines are not eligible for return. These non-returnable detectors include (but are not limited to) the following brands; JW Fishers, Lorenz, OKM, Tesoro, Fisher Research Labs, Blisstool, Minelab GPZ 7000 & all GPX Models, Nokta Professional Units and Aquascan Aquapulse.
• 
  
• Metal detector must be returned in its original packaging with all manufacturer accessories and promotional items. (Free accessories, giveaway products, promotional items, BOGOs and special offers). Customers will be charged "full sale price" for all missing or damaged accessories, giveaway products, promotional items, BOGOs and special offers. All items must be in working order and include the manufacturer’s original blank warranty and instruction manual. No damage to the machine and/or any of the accessories including no dents, scratches, rips and tears etc.
• 
  
• Returns must be made within 30 days of purchase date. A Return Authorization Number is required prior to shipping any product back for a refund.
• 
  
• Refunds will be issued to the same credit/debit card, gift certificate or other form of payment that was used at the time of the original transaction.
• 
  
• Customer will be responsible for all return shipping, handling and insurance fees.
• 
  

If it is determined that the returned metal detector has been damaged, contains missing parts and/or accessories then the customer may be subject to a repacking service fee of up to 30% of the machine’s retail value.

You can probably guess the name of the company.

I strongly suggest trying out a detector or getting a good live demonstration before buying a detector especially if you are new to detecting or don't know much about the detector you are buying.  If the return policy is really "hassle free" that could make me feel much easier about a purchase decision.

If any of you have trouble making returns, let me know and I'll post it so others know about it.

---

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/15/15 Report - Shifting Cuts and Dips. Atypical Spots Along The Treasure Coast. Decreasing Surf.

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

One Treasure Coast Beach Yesterday.

Most beaches don't look very good now.  There are a few more interesting places to be found such as the cut shown below.

That cut is less than fifty yards long.  You can see about eight feet of a newly exposed log sticking out of the cliff, and the cliff is about seven feet high at the highest point.

I saw a few stumps up the beach that I hadn't seen in years.  Those places were mushy with new sand though.  I should have been there earlier.

One Treasure Coast Cut I Saw Yesterday

We've had a few direction changes in the wind and surf.  The wind changes a lot more than the surf direction.

When the surf changes direction and when any dips are not refilled by the change, the dip can move either north or south.   If the cut isn't filled completely, it might be partially filled and the low spot or hot spot in the cut can shift in one direction or another.

When a dip is caused by a north or northeast wind, if the surf changes and starts coming from the south, for example, the south side of the dip might start to fill in and the hot spot might then move to the north side of the cut.

Although I haven't been out much lately and haven't seen a lot of the beaches, I suspect that places like the one shown immediately above are very rare.

Toy Run Sunday

Sunday motorcycles stretched for several miles during the annual toy run.

The surf will be decreasing this week up until the weekend.  It is supposed to be pretty smooth Friday and then start increasing during the weekend.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/14/15 Report - Identifying Gun Flints. Gun Flint Holders. Beach Conditions.

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

Sample of 18th Century Gun Flints

Different Shapes of Gun Flints

I said the other day that you can often tell the nationality of a gun flint from the color and shape. British are usually a dark grey.  The top row in the first picture has some fine examples.


The white ones in the picture are Native American.

And the amber ones on the bottom are French.

If you look at the bottom picture the second flint is the British example and the typical shape.

The last one in that row is French.

The first gun flint that I ever found was a very typical example, and looked just like what the third on in the top row shown in the first picture.  I've mentioned it before, but I can remember that find like it was yesterday.  Along with it was a gun cock.  Also found nearby were British buttons, musket balls and grape shot.

One other thing you'll sometimes find along with a gun flint or gun cock, is a piece of lead.  A piece of lead was often used to hold the fun flint in the gun lock.  Some of those gun flint holders were flat and round (often British) and some were flat and square.

With my first gun flint and gun cock, I didn't find any flat lead that could have been used to hold the flint though.  I didn't know to look for it back then.

The pictures above are taken from Timothy McGuire's An Identification Guide to Recovered Colonial or Revolutionary War Artifacts (first picture) and the Ivor Hume's Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America (second picture).

---

South Hutchinson Island Beach This Morning.

I haven't been out to the beach much lately.  I did get out for a short while to take a look this morning.

The above is typical of what I saw.  The beach was accumulating at most places.  There were a few places that were cutting a little.

The surf seemed rougher than the 2 - 4 foot prediction, and the water had been up over the berm at some places.

There were small rocks washing up at some locations, and I also saw a shell pile that was accumulating.

From what I saw, I would say that conditions are poor.  Like I said though, there were some small cuts at places and I didn't see most of the beaches.

The surf will be decreasing for the next few days.

Most of the garbage from the cargo spill was removed where I was.  Somebody picked it up.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/12/15 Report - Our Lady of Guadalupe Image. The Watlington Hoard.

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

Image from Wikipedia.

Official Catholic accounts state that the Virgin Mary appeared four times before Juan Diego and one more before Juan Diego's uncle. According to these accounts the first apparition occurred on the morning of December 9, 1531, when a native Mexican peasant named Juan Diego saw a vision of a maiden at a place called the Hill of Tepeyac, which would become part of Villa de Guadalupe, a suburb of Mexico City. Speaking to him in his native Nahuatl language (the language of the Aztec empire), the maiden identified herself as the Virgin Mary, "mother of the very true deity"^[3] and asked for a church to be built at that site in her honor...

If you've been detecting very long, you've probably found medallions bearing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and you probably know a little of the story behind it.

Below is a link to a good article giving the symbolism of the image as it would have been understood by the Aztecs.

It is always good to understand the history and significance of the images on the objects you find.





http://www.spiritdaily.com/A1313guadalupesymbols.htm

The first paragraph above is from wikipedia.

---

LONDON (AP) — A trove of Viking jewelry and Saxon coins unearthed by an amateur treasure-hunter in a farmer's field may help rescue an English king from obscurity.

The Watlington Hoard, a collection of silver bands, ingots and 186 coins unveiled at the British Museum Thursday, dates from a tumultuous period. The coins were minted during the reign of Alfred the Great, ruler of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, who battled a "great heathen army" of Viking invaders during the 9th century...

Here is the link for the rest of the story.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/viking-hoard-found-in-field-sheds-light-on-englands-origins/ar-AAgf9hq?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=UP97DHP

Thanks to the amateur treasure hunters who bring finds like this to the surface so they can be studied.

---

Yesterday I saw a National Geographic TV show about illegal gold mining in Peru.  Here is an article about that.

http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/28/gold-mining-in-peru-is-much-worse-than-anyone-thought/

---

The surf isn't big today but predicted to increase up to 4 - 6 feet tomorrow.

Less than two weeks remaining until Christmas.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/11/15 Report - Cargo On The Beach. Treasure Comes In Many Forms.

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

Coffee Cans All Over The Beach
Associate Press photo.

Treasure comes in many forms. There is silver and gold in its many forms - coins, chalices, ingots and rings.   Ebony, ivory, diamonds, emeralds and rubies.  Sea glass, sea shells, ambergris, arrow heads, pots, fossils, bottles, bangles and beads.

Treasure also comes in the form of more common things.  Here is a message I got from William B. that illustrates that.

Treasure hunters are a superstitious bunch. We see meaning in the randomness of everyday events. Take the anniversary day find for example.  All those gold coins, found 300 years to the day of the tragedy.  What are the odds?  Is that really just coincidence?  It seems like it was meant to be.  Well, Tuesday was another one of those days for me.  After hearing of coins being found on the TC, I came(from Pompano) up to hunt.  I was on the beach (the same beach where the gold coins were found) Tuesday morning, standing in ankle deep water talking to a fellow detectorist when a bag of coffee floats by.  Not just any coffee.  It is Bustelo espresso coffee. The ONLY coffee I drink. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am a Bustelo fanatic.  I put the coffee  in my truck, thinking that this is a really good sign, I just might find a coin today, and headed south down the beach to hunt.  After walking for about 200  yds, I find another one.  Then another.  I had to stash them on the dune so I could keep hunting.  I found the case of coffee when I was headed back, it had washed up while I was detecting.  Another detectorist  gave me a couple of bags he had found. All in all, 17 pounds of my favorite coffee washed up on my favorite beach, while I was there. Of all the things that could have washed up on this beach on that day, it happened to be coffee. Of all the other coffees that it could have been, it turns out to be Bustelo, a specialty coffee with a miniscule share of the market(meaning that statistically speaking, it should have been Folgers or Maxwell House), and the one coffee that I cannot live without.  Coincidence?  I think not. The treasure gods are obviously pleased and wanted to show it.

William B.    

Thanks William.   I heard from others who were collecting coffee on the beach too.

Here is an article from MSN News about coffee cans on the beach.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/offbeat/hundreds-of-full-coffee-cans-wash-up-on-florida-beach/ar-AAgbm2Z

The news is that the Columbia Elizabeth while headed to Puerto Rico from Port Canaveral lost 25 containers.  Some of the containers broke open or sank.  Some could create an enviornmental hazard.

Bags of wine were reported washing in near Fort Lauderdale.  Don't get excited.  I think it is probably too late to get any of that.

I remember one time years ago when a cargo vessel lost some furniture.  People were picking up coffee tables and chairs along the beach.

It also reminds me of the time I arrived at the beach and saw three  bales of pot, each of which was a four cubic foot bale.

Treasure does come in many forms.  Sometimes it has no earthly form at all.  You can stand alone on a deserted beach and just feel nature.  Or deeper yet, the pure magic and joy of life.

A treasure can be bitter sweet.  You might remember grandma and the peanut butter fudge she made by hand or might remember her as you hang the Christmas ornaments she knitted or made from plastic beads.

Or you might remember the toys your dad got you - toys like nothing he ever had, and which must have cost him a hard weeks pay, It showed his love when he didn't know any other way to express. You didn't realize how precious it could be at the time - especially not how expensive it was to him.

It doesn't take precious substances to make a treasure.  It doesn't take anything valuable at all to create a treasure.  Poverty and hardship can be converted into treasure when accompanied by love and virtue.

It is something like a diamond ring.  The gem is mounted in the setting.  The purpose of the setting is to display the gem "high and lifted up."  The setting should never take away from the gem.

Too often we are like little children who appreciate the colorful wrapping paper more than the precious item within.  You'll see two-year-olds who enjoy the paper and box and ignore the present.

It seems the older you get, the more you realize that the best treasure has no earthly substance or form. It is bigger than that.  More enduring.  And keeps getting more precious all the time.

---

We're back to having a small surf.  It seems that beach conditions have been wobbling.  By that I mean they have been going back and forth.  Some beaches will erode and produce for a few days, then change back, and then produce again.  That has happened a number of times in the past couple of months.  It is certainly better than how it was going for a couple of years prior to that time.

Sunday the surf is supposed to be a bit higher on Sunday - maybe up to six feet.

The wind is from the north today, but will be from the east the next couple of days.

There could still be a few things out there, but I don't expect much until we get another increase in surf. It won't take much for some areas to produce again.  It could wobble that way again without too much of a change.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net