6/16/12 Report - Clay Pipes, Found Stash & Increased Seas

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


First off, James F. wanted to express his gratitude to those who identified the makers mark on his bronzze strap and ring.  He didn't think he'd ever figure it out.

It looks like James might be on to a good site.  It was all because of good research. 


Whether you hunt on land or in the water, you might find something like this floating water proof cell phone case to be a handy addition.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=72599

Even land hunters can get caught in a sudden downpour.


A homeless man found a bag full of cash and gold coins worth $77,000 while washing his feet in the Colorado River. The money was confiscated by the police but after no evidence of a crime was found and the previous owner was not located,  the homeless man was awarded the money.

Here is the link.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/14/texas-city-lets-homeless-_n_1594941.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D169836

Here is the bowl of a clay pipe found by Jorge Y. while diving off Gibraltar.  He wondered if anyone might be able to narrow down the date for it.

As you know, while this particular pipe was found overseas, clay pipes are occasionally found in Florida, and some in connection with shipwrecks.

I found two good web sites on clay pipes, one of which gives a number of ways of narrowing down a pipes manufacture date.  The size of the bowl and the size of the hole both changed over time, as did certain other design features.  For example, over time the bowl became more upright.

Here is a great web site that tells about that..

http://www.dawnmist.demon.co.uk/pipdex.htm

And here is another great web site that provides a list of makers marks for clay pipes.

http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/claypipes/pages/about.asp


The winds are now from the east, and the seas have increased a bit, now running up around 3 or 4 feet.  That isn't much, but it could create a few small cuts.  While the cuts, if you can find them, won't produce any old coins unless the particular area has been eroding in the recent past for some reason, such as obstructions to the flow of sand, it could expose some  newer targets.   More generally though, don't expect much change.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

6/15/12 Report - Bronze Strap and Ring Identified & And Key to Good Finds

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



Good news!  The readers of this blog came through again.   The amount of knowledge displayed by my readers is really impressive. 

You might not know who reads this blog, but you might be surprised.  It is not at all how the archaeologists or media tend to characterize detectorists.  When you see a detectorist on TV, he usually is portrayed comically.   Nothing wrong with that other than the image being inaccurate and  misleading.  You can tell from those fleeting images that the media don't know much about detecting or detectorists.  For one thing, the guy is usually swinging his detector a foot or so in the air like he is swatting flies.  That might not be ignorance on he part of the media so much as the fact that if you are showing a detectorist in the background, you might not notice what he is doing if he actually does it correctly.  Artistic license, I guess.

Anyhow, the reality of the detecting community is far different than how it is portrayed.  The readers of this blog who I hear from include physicians, attorneys, architects, historians, authors and all kinds of intelligent informed people.

Yeterday I posted an object with the hope of getting some information about it.  Well, in less than 24 hours from the time the object was posted,  I heard from two people who have worked in the boating industry and knew exactly what the object is.



Bronze Strap & Ring.  See 6/14 Post For Larger Photo

Here is part of the email I received from John L.

The bronze (definitely not brass) strap, (not cleat) and ring in today's post is a product of the Wilcox Crittenden company. That is undoubtedly their logo.

Here is a link to a modern cleat made by them currently listed on Ebay in which you can clearly see the same logo.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-WILCOX-CRITTENDEN-CHROME-OVER-BRASS-BRONZE-SHIP-BOAT-DOCK-CLEAT-CHOCK-0093-/380441936191?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58941b413f

Here is a link detailing the history of the company, originally established in 1847, which became Wilcox Crittenden in 1869. 

http://library.mysticseaport.org/manuscripts/coll/coll231.cfm


Thus, the item could be as old as 140+years old.

Thanks John!

Then I received an email from Eric L. with the following information.

The makers mark is a Wilcox Crittenden mark. It should be cast bronze. This company made hardware for the marine industry from the 1800's to modern day. I worked as a shipwright for many years and their stuff is on everything from dingies to commercial vessels...

This could have been a ring for a tie down point or possibly attaching a small snatch block. Their old hardware catalogs can still be found with a little searching online.

Thanks Eric!

As I mentioned a few days ago, these are the types of stories I really like.   It started with the research that James F. conducted that led him to this find, but the research wasn't over when he dug up the object.  Then there was the research to identify the find, and I don't doubt that there will be more finds and more to learn.

If you are tired of hunting the same old over-hunted places and want to find some interesting old things, take a few tips from James F. whose research led him to this find.  This wasn't something that James just happened to run into.  His research led him to believe that he might find old steamboat related objects at the location.

James said, I always find it strange I never see anyone else with a metal detector where I hunt...    I always do a little research before targeting an area to hunt...

He does a lot of library research with what he calls "real" books.  He says it only took him about 30 minutes in the library to find another promising 19th century site to hunt.

You might want to try the library too. 


No change in beach detecting conditions.   I won't bother to comment more on that today.



Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

6/14/12 Report - Brass Steamship Artifact(?) & Ship Artifacts Pumped Onto a Beach

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




Brass or Bronze Artifact Metal Detector Find

 
Here is a  brass, or roughly cast bronze, artifact found by James F. up around the St. Johns River. He thinks it might be a cleat and ring off a early steamboat.  The area is also where Seminole War battles were fought. 

Notice the maker's mark in the closeup.

Any additional thoughts or information on the object would be appreciated.  I'm sure  someone can give some ideas on web sites or other resources for researching maker's mark.

Really nice find and great photos.  Thanks James.




Maker's Mark.

 Could that be another mark on the raised part in the middle?              

It helps to know something about a lot of different types of things.  And it helps to keep your eyes open for all kinds of things.  Don't just look for coins, silver and gold.  Other things can provide important clue.

I've mentioned before that sometimes old shipwreck items will get pumped onto a beach by beach replenishment projects.  That is exactly what happened in the following story.  Old pieces of glass and ceramics started to show up on a freshly replenished beach.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged up what appears to be the the Severn, which sunk in Delaware Bay in 1774 while bringing household goods and building supplies to the colonists from England.

Here is the link to the storey.

http://www.seaglassjournal.com/articles/shipwreck/severnshipwreck.htm


I guess the Corps pretty much destroyed the context of that archaeological site.


Some people like sea glass just because they like sea glass, but sea glass can also provide clues to possible shipwrecks.  Glass and ceramics tend to remain near the surface and are visible when many other old items remain buried.



A shipwreck possibly containing 3 billion dollars worth of platinum was found.

Here is that link.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/03/uk-usa-shipwreck-platinum-idUSLNE81200T20120203


I was on the way to the store this morning and stopped at a local tourist beach.  Although the beach is hunted by multiple detectorists daily there was a combination of new drops and deeply buried coins in the dry sand.  People are evidently missing some things.    It could be that they are moving too fast or using too much discrimination, thus missing the deeper targets.

Of course there is nothing wrong with missing some things if you are just doing a quick search, but the guys I usually see here are running a very tight pattern.  I also see them using discrimination.

After quickly checking out the dry sand, I jumped into the water to see what was there.  In less than 20 minutes I got three pieces of jewelry - only one nice piece but I was just checking to see what it was like.

In summary, I'd have to say there are still things to be found even though conditions remain poor for finding old shipwreck treasure coins.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net



6/13/12 Report - Beach Conditions, Pad Locks & Stuff in a Man-Made Lake

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

Here is one Treasure Coast beach this morning near low tide.  Nice easy waves and good visibility in the water. Notice all the sea weed.  That is one of the most obvious signs that light materials are being deposited on the beach.  Typical summer pattern.

The wind has been from the southeast a lot, which is typical of summer conditions, and most often means the beaches are building.

On this particular beach at low tide, there were shell piles at the waters edge and into the water.  I saw both small bits of fossils and seas glass in the shell piles. 

At another Treasure coast beach , there wasn't any seas weed, but there was a lot of sand building on the front beach.

As far as detecting, there were a lot of signals in the low tide area, especially where you could see obvious piles of new material.  In that new material was a lot of old corroded iron objects, very corroded, and some copper sheeting, and a few other things.   If you have a low tolerance for junk, forget it, but if you have the patience to sift through it, there may be a few nice old finds.   There was really a lot of old corroded iron objects and old copper sheeting.  You

I'm surprised by how much there was.   From the number of detectorists out there, I always expect this stuff to be pretty much picked up, but a lot of people simply don't have the tolerance to sift through junk.  Modern junk is one thing, but when the junk is older, it can be worth the time.

The front beaches are sandy, but so is the shallow water.  It is like the beach extends into the water for quite a few yards.  Between the high tide mark and the sand drop off in the water, there several distinct zones.  I don't have the time to detail them today.

Heavy rains recently caused flooding around the Florida Panhandle, and there have also been rip currents up in that area.

Here is the link.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/10/us/florida-flooding/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Heavy rains can cause erosion and improved hunting for land hunters and rip currents can cause good shallow water hunting, but remember to be safe and stay out of rip currents that you aren't sure you can handle.


A man-made lake was cleaned out and the following linked story will tell you what  they found in it.

http://www.oregonlive.com/tualatin/index.ssf/2012/04/catfish_cellphones_and_coins_f.html

Here are a few metal detecting beach and water finds.  I don't know why there are so many pad locks on the beaches and in the water.  Like I always say, you can find almost anything on a beach.

The one on the right is so corroded it is falling apart.  I think I showed some older ones in this blog in the past.


I don't see anything that suggests conditions will change anytime real soon.

There are some decent spots still out there where you can find artifacts.  I know of some cob finds too, although they are rare these days.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

6/12/12 Report - More on Spanish Colonial Silver Coins & Poll Results

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

I've been discussing the Florida Collection of silver coins as it existed at the time Craig's book, Spanish Colonial Silver Coins of the Florida Collection, was written.  The Florida Collection contained large numbers of coins salvaged from the 1715 Fleet.  As you know, the Treasure Coast is predominated by 1715 Fleet wrecks, even though there are other wrecks, both more recent and older, along the Treasure Coast.

At the time of Craig's analysis, there were  304 coins from the Lima mint in the Florida Collection.  Only 3 were half-reals, 79 were 1-reals, 17 2-reals, 41 were 4-reals, and 164 were 8-reals.  I feel certain that the percentage of coins from the Jupiter wreck in more recent years has increased the proportion of Lima coins held in the Florida Collection.  I would also not be surprised if the relative percentage of each denomination has signficantly changed.  Nonetheless, it appears from this data, that Lima half-reales might be fairly scarce along the Treasure Coast.

Potosi, being a very productive mint, was well represented in the Florida Collection.  Yet there was only 1 Potosi half-real, but 95 1-reals, 60 2-reals, 101 4-reals, and 258 8-reals.

Common assayers on the early date-cluster Potosi coins (largely from the Jupiter wreck) include assayer  VR, CH and F.  And common assayers on the later date-cluster coins (largely from the 1715 Fleet) include assayers JR, PR, PP, and PJ.

To whatever extent you can generalize to the Treasure Coast beaches from the Collection, it looks to me like Potosi cobs/coins are much more likely to show an assayer mark than Mexico minted coins.
I hope you haven't found this discussion too tedious.  I like data analysis, even when, as was the case here, the sample leaves a lot to be desired.  Despite the short-comings of the Collection I think it does provide some ideas worth considering.  I hope this information will provide clues to help some of you identify your finds. 

I most likely made a few errors.  Don't be afraid to point them out so I can make any necessary corrections.


The most recent blog poll has concluded and the results are in.  As expected, of the readers of this blog, more detectorists hunt on dry land (78%).   That is not surprising.  It is easier, doesn't depend so much on conditions, and does not require water-proof equipment.

I was a little surprised at the number of detectorists who indicated that they water hunt because I don't see that many people doing it.  I suppose that is because a lot of my hunting is done during  rough conditions on beaches where the water is protected by leases.

Also, the poll provides no information about how often a person gets in the water, just if they do it.

Also, as expected, more people detect while wading in water rather than diving or snorkeling.

The sample size got up to near 100, the usual sample size for my polls.


Sometime soon I'll show you how to turn some of your less exciting finds into real treasures.

Beach detecting conditions remain unchanged along the Treasure Coast.   Still southeast winds and 1 to 2 foot seas.  That will not change until later this weekend if the predictions are correct.  And even then conditions won't change much.  The seas, however, will increase a little.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

6/10/12 Report - Spanish Colonial Silver Coins Data From the Florida Collection

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

Here is one more of those crazy mounted gold escudos from the 2010 Manor Auctions sale.

I provided a link to the web site a couple of times before in recent posts.

Did you ever wonder what kind of Spanish Colonial cobs you would most likely find on the Treasure Coast beaches? That is hard to say, but if we go by data provided by the Florida Collection, we can draw a few conclusions. Too bad the data that I have is incomplete, not a good representative sample, and not up to date. Nonetheless, it is better than not having any data at all to go by.

I’ll use the data from the Florida Collection as published in Alan Craig’s book, Spanish Colonial Silver Coins in the Florida Collection.

Going by that data, the most likely mint to find a treasure coin from is Mexico. Craig found 21,170 Spanish Colonial treasure coins in the Florida Collection minted in Mexico. That is a lot of coins, or in many cases, more correctly, cobs. As lacking as that data is, it coincides well with my personal experience. Of course, my experience is very limited and someone that spends more time than I at different wreck sites might well have different results. If you spend most of your time detecting at Jupiter , for example, you are likely to have found more Potosi and Lima coins.

Overall, though, the second greatest number of coins in the Florida collection are from Potosi, and third, the coins from Lima.

Craig also listed small numbers of coins in the Florida collection from Cartagena, Guatemala, Santa Fe, and Zacatecas, as well as a small number from mints in Spain rather than the New World. Those included the mints of Valladoid, Sevilla, and Madrid.  Only about one tenth of a percent of the coins are from mints in Spain.

A specific mint could not be determined for about four percent of the coins. That does not mean a mint mark was found on the identified coins, because the mint can often be determined from other factors, For example, it is often easy to quickly identify a Mexico minted coin from the cross.

Including all denominations, ½ reals to 8 reals, around ninety percent of the coins in the Florida Collection do not show an assayer mark. That can occur either because the coin is corroded, the original strike was not centered so as to show the assayer mark, or the coin die did not include an assayer mark.

Of the Mexican minted coins (the most probable using the Craig data), if an assayer mark is shown, it is overwhelmingly most likely “J.” That is consistent with my own personal observations. Second most common is the “L” assayer mark.

Using the data for the Mexico minted coins in the Florida collection, over 90% do not show an assayer mark.

To sum up part of what I’ve gone over so far, if you find a Spanish Colonial silver coin on the Treasure Coast, the greatest probability is that it will be a Mexico minted coin of assayer J, but not showing the mint mark.  That conclusion assumes that the Florida Collection as it existed at the time of Craig's book is an adequate sample to generalize from, even though it may not be. 

You are fortunate if you find a coin that shows the date, mint mark and assayer mark. That is especially unlikely with smaller denomination coins such as half reals. Fortunately there are often other things that can help identify the mint, date and assayer.


Only one more day left to respond to the blog poll.  I hope you'll take a few seconds to do that if you haven't already.  


As far as beach detecting conditions, it is more of the same.  The southeast winds continue.   It is hot, humid, with occasional rain. 

Seas remain down around one or two feet, and that will remain the same for a few days. 

I won't elaborate on that anymore today.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

6/9/12 Report - Odyssey Marine, Gold & Emeralds, Tsunami Debris & More

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

Photo from Manor Auctions Web Site



Here is another item from a South Florida estate sold by Manor Auctions.  Read the bit about the auction on the following web site.

Here is the web site to see more.

http://manorauctions.com/auction-news/news/gold-shipwreck-treasure-coin-collection-heads-to-auction



Here is an excellent detailed article on Odyssey Marine from Bloomberg Businessweek.  It gives a lot of information on the return of coins to Spain as well as the their other ventures.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-06-07/odyssey-and-the-lost-spanish-treasure#p1

Thanks to John L. for submitting this link.

The US West Coast is preparing to be hit by tons of floating tsunami debris.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20120608/US.Tsunami.Debris/?cid=hero_media

There should be some salvageable items in all that debris.

The Federal government is counting jobs connected to antique stores and consignment stores as green jobs when they count the number of green jobs they created.   If you remember, a number of weeks ago I said that detecting is a green activity.   Maybe you thought that was a real stretch.  The idea is the same.  Old items that are salvaged and put back into use saves materials and energy.   I always wish I knew how many coins were returned to circulation by detectorists.  And how much silver and gold has been recovered by detectorists. 

I think you would actually have to get into a more detailed analysis, but hey, it's the same logic the Federal government is using so there must be something wrong with it.

 

Typical Treasure Coast Beach - Sandy

Not much change in conditions again.  Still around two foot seas.  Still sandy conditions.

The wind is out of the south. 

Yesterday there were some decent surfing waves at a few spots.  Where the waves will break depends partly upon the shape of the bottom.

And as I mentioned yesterday, even though conditions are generally poor, there is always somewhere to hunt and something to find.  When the sand is building one place it is coming from someplace else.  Look for the places the sand is leaving.  The poorer conditions are, the harder it is to find those better spots. 

I'll explore more treasure coin data in the next few posts.

I never know which posts my readers like or don't like so much.  I wish I had a better way of knowing that other than simply hit count.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net