2/21/25 Report - Spanish Colonial Cob Collection and Online Resource. Bank Not Giving Cash. North Wind Before Higher Surf.

 

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

I post a lot of cobs in this blog.  Some are found on the beach by detectorists and some are found by shipwreck salvage crews.  Many are from the 1715 Fleet wrecks, but some are from other wrecks on  the Treasure Coast and some from other locations. At times I point you to other sources that show Spanish Colonial cobs.

I just found a site that you will want to look at.  It is the Numis Forum.  Robinjojo posted an extensive collection of Spanish Colonial cobs.  The cobs are excellent examples, and the photos are super and the descriptions are also great.  I'm sure you will benefit from looking through the thread and studying select examples.

Here is the introduction to the thread provided by Robinjojo.

I thought it would be nice to have a thread dedicated to these fascinating and historical coins, a venue where I can share my enthusiasm for these coins and one where we can share information and coins, perhaps instilling the collecting bug in some of you who are interested and need just a nudge to become full blown cob collectors.

I have accumulated and documented many cobs over the past 40 plus years.  I have posted many here and at CoinTalk.  My postings are rather messy, not very systematic, jumping from one mint or king as I pull coins for photographing.  Please bear with me, and I hope that the coins posted herein are both entertaining and informative.

I'll start with coins that I have photographed on file.  I'll continue to post and please share your cobs.  If you have any questions, I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

The cob shown at the top of the post is just one of the many cobs posted by Robinjojo.  I picked it for no particular reason other than just liking the looks of it.  Below is the description of that cob as provided by Robinjojo.

Colombia, Bogota, 8 reales, Philip IV,  1660s, PoRS NR.   Purchased from Superior Galleries in the early 1990s.

KM 7.1

27.1 grams

I was fortunate to win this coin in a Superior auction.  The pillars and waves cobs from Bogota are quite expensive and often salvaged.  This coin, with its slightly oxidized surfaces might be from a salvage, but it is full weight and attractive in its crude way, with strong centers on both sides.  With cobs in general, collectors will pay more for coins with complete or nearly complete center strikes.

This cob shows typical areas of strength and weakness in the strike, so even with the obverse date situated towards the coin's center, the last two numerals are muddled and weak, the last one really not visible.  For a while I though the date was 1665.  I am pretty sure that the third numeral is a 6.  With the help of Krause, that puts the coin in the period of 1663-1665.  

Anb below is the link to the site and thread.

The Cob Corner - World Coins - Numis Forums

Take a look.  I think you'll enjoy it.

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Below is an interesting story that might give a glimpse of the future

Taryn Compton, who goes by @basketballmumma on TikTok, recently shared her frustrating experience at her bank when she attempted to withdraw $3,500 in cash—only to be told that the branch no longer handles cash at the counter. The unexpected policy change left her stunned, and her video about the ordeal quickly went viral....

Below is the link for the rest of the article.

She tried to take out her own money but the bank had a surprising new rule | Trending at Upworthy

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I got this alert yesterday and added to yesterday's post, but you missed it if you read the post earlier in the day.

Alert Description

* WHAT...A strong southward-flowing longshore current will exist at all central Florida Atlantic beaches today, in addition to a moderate risk for dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...Coastal Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, Saint Lucie, and Martin Counties. * WHEN...Through late tonight. * IMPACTS...The southward-flowing current could pull swimmers into deeper water, making them more susceptible to dangerous rip currents. It will also generate strong rip currents near piers, jetties, and reefs.

Instruction

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

---

Source: Surfguru.com

Good hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

2/20/25 Report - Collection of Cuartillos. Royals or Galanos: Great Study on Spanish Colonial Coin Terms. Sunken WWII Ship discovered. PM Update Added.

 

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

Above is one of several cuartillos that recently sold at auction.  It is described below.

Possibly the most unusual and unique piece in the sale, the Potosi cob 2-reales, overstruck with milled Cuartillo dies, attracted competitive bids and brought $10,800. The extremely rare 1822 Guatemalan ¼ Real made its auction debut, selling for $7,800, the highest price recorded for any Cuartillo from that mint. 

I never found a cuartillo, unless it one of the smaller unidentifiable pieces might have been one.  There were more like pocket change for daily use.

Here is the link for more cuartillo examples.

The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection of Spanish Colonial Cuartillos Brings Remarkable Results at the Stack’s Bowers Galleries 2024 NYINC Auction - Numismatic News--

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The Royal Misnomer for Spanish American Cobs by Herman Blanton was published in the Numismatics International Bulletin.  It is a detailed study that examines the use and origin of the term "Royal" to describe those unusually fine round cob coins.  Below is the introductory paragraph.

In the numismatic genre of Spanish American cob coins one of the most persistent misnomers is the term “Royal” when used to describe the specially prepared round coins. Even though this subject has been addressed by other numismatic writers I felt the urge for a long time to investigate this to my own satisfaction. The Spanish “Redondo” meaning “round” is correct but not as definitive as is “galanos” which in English means fancy, elegant, gallant, etc. The term “galano” carries enough mystique and flair that it ought to be used in both Spanish and English language to describe these special coins. We should expunge the term “royal” and its Spanish equivalent “tipo real” when used to describe these.coins.  

That paragraph gives the gist of the study, but the study is very detailed and gives many examples of the use of the terms historically, going back to mint documents.

And here is a concluding paragraph.

The term “Royal” originated with the salvors of the 1715 Fleet shipwrecks. It could have been Kip Wagner, or other member of the Real Eight Co., Inc. or an associate such as Frank Allen. There are undoubtedly numerous magazine articles, newspaper articles, radio and television broadcasts from 1964-1970 that I have not researched but I believe we can still attribute the use of the term “Royal” to the 1715 Fleet salvors – which is exactly what F. Xavier Calicó did in the 1972 Schulman auction catalog... 

Here is the link for some very good reading.

Royal Misnomer from Numismatics International Bulletin September October 2018

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The Vital de Oliveira was a civilian ship, built in 1910 and outfitted as an auxiliary naval craft when Brazil entered World War II on the side of the Allies. It was transporting supplies, sailors and soldiers along the Brazilian coast when a German U-boat struck its stern with a torpedo just before midnight on June 19, 1944.

Brazil was the only South American country to send troops overseas in World War II. Throughout the Battle of the Atlantic, German U-boats patrolled Brazil’s coast, sinking some 34 vessels and killing 1,081 people, according to naval historian Roberto Sander, who wrote that the sinking of the Vital de Olivera was the navy’s “most major loss” during the war. Of the 270 souls aboard, he wrote, 99 perished...

Here is the link for the rest of the story.

Vital de Oliveira: Brazilian navy confirms location of World War II shipwreck | CNN

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Source: SurfGuru.com.

There is a north wind today.  Looks like a front is coming through and we're getting some north wind.  As the surf gets a little higher, as it is supposed today into Friday, I'd expect some beach fronts to get swept enough to help some on the lower or more vulnerable spots.

BEACH ALERT:

Description

* WHAT...A strong southward-flowing longshore current will exist at all central Florida Atlantic beaches today, in addition to a moderate risk for dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...Coastal Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, Saint Lucie, and Martin Counties. * WHEN...Through late tonight. * IMPACTS...The southward-flowing current could pull swimmers into deeper water, making them more susceptible to dangerous rip currents. It will also generate strong rip currents near piers, jetties, and reefs.

Instruction

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Good hunting,

Treasuregudie@comcast.net

2/19/25 Report - How to Safely Ship Gold. A Quick Test of a Couple AI Systems For Metal Detecting and Treasure Hunting.

 

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

Shipping gold and other precious metals requires careful planning and consideration, as the high value of these items makes them a target for theft. To ensure the safe transportation of your valuable assets, follow these guidelines:

1. Use a reliable shipping company: Work with a reputable shipping service with experience handling precious metals. Some of the most trusted names in the industry include FedEx, UPS, and Brinks.
2. Package your items securely: Protect your metals with appropriate packaging. Use a sturdy box, and wrap each item with bubble wrap or protective padding. Seal the box with strong tape, ensuring no gaps or openings.
3. Choose appropriate insurance: Insure your shipment based on the value of the items being transported. The shipping company should offer various insurance options to cover the full value of your precious metals.
4. Utilize tracking and signature confirmation: These services ensure that your package is accounted for at every step of the shipping process and requires a signature upon delivery.
5. Maintain discretion: To minimize the risk of theft, avoid using words like “gold” or “precious metals” on the outside of the package. Instead, use a generic description like “metal samples” or “machine parts.”...

Here is the link for more about that.

Gold Shipping & How to Ship Precious Metals in 2023 | American Bullion

The most secure methods are not the fastest.  Be prepared for delays.  An item that must be signed at each point will sit and wait for the required signature.  I remember one package sitting in a location for almost a week because the person that was supposed to sign-off on it was on vacation or something.  

---

I decided to test Grok 3, another AI chatbot that is supposed to be very good.  I first asked where is the best place to find coins from the 1715 Fleet, and it gave a pretty good answer, including the Treasure Coast around Melborne, Vero, and Fort Pierce.  It gave a little more than that, so I queried to get more specific, and asked what are the best beaches.   Grok 3 gave the following reponse.

Among the beaches along Florida's Treasure Coast, where the 1715 Fleet sank, some are more renowned for their historical significance and potential for finding artifacts like coins:

• Sebastian Inlet State Park: This area is particularly famous for finds from the 1715 Fleet. The inlet's shifting sands can sometimes reveal treasures, especially after storms. It's one of the prime spots for treasure hunters, although finds are less common now due to extensive previous searching.


• Vero Beach: Known for its history of treasure finds, this beach has been a hotspot for both serious treasure hunters and casual beachgoers picking up coins after storms. The McLarty Treasure Museum nearby offers insights into the history of the 1715 Fleet.


• Fort Pierce: The area, especially around Pepper Park Beach, has seen its share of treasure discoveries. This beach continues to be interesting due to its proximity to known shipwreck sites.


• Melbourne Beach: While not as famous as Vero or Sebastian, Melbourne Beach has also yielded treasures from the fleet, particularly after significant storm events that can disturb the seabed...

I went back and asked :"What are some of the better beaches on the Treasure Coast where you can find 1715 Fleet coins. Below is that response.

The Treasure Coast of Florida is known for its historical connections to the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet, where numerous coins and artifacts have been found over the years. Here are some of the better beaches for potentially finding such treasures:

1. Turtle Trail Beach, Indian River County - This beach has been notably mentioned for discoveries, including 22 silver coins from the 1715 Fleet found by treasure hunters in 2020.


2. Melbourne Beach - Known for its history of treasure finds post-storm, Melbourne Beach has been a hotspot for both novice and experienced treasure hunters. In 2015, a significant find of over $4 million in coins and artifacts was made here.


3. Wabasso Beach - Just north of Vero Beach, this location has seen discoveries like 22 silver coins in 2020, indicating that items from the 1715 Fleet still surface here.


4. Sebastian Inlet State Park - The area around Sebastian Inlet, especially near the McLarty Treasure Museum, is rich with history. The museum itself sits on the site of a survivors' camp from the 1715 shipwrecks, and local beaches have yielded finds.


5. Vero Beach and Surrounding Areas - The general area from Vero Beach to Sebastian is part of the known shipwreck sites. Beaches like South Beach Park and Seagrape Trail Beach have been areas where artifacts occasionally wash ashore.


6. Ambersands Beach Park, Vero Beach - The proximity to where the historical shipwrecks occurred makes this public beach another potential spot for finds, especially after significant weather events.

When searching for treasures on these beaches, it's important to note:

• Metal Detecting: You can use metal detectors from the foot of the dunes to the low tide line on public beaches, but always check local regulations as they can change.


• After Storms: Post-storm conditions often shift sand, revealing items that have been buried for centuries.


• Permits: For underwater finds or in state parks, you might need permits or must adhere to specific regulations regarding artifact recovery.

Remember, while these beaches have historical significance and a reputation for finds, every treasure hunt depends on a mix of luck, knowledge, and timing.

Grok 3 seems to give a pretty good response and goes a bit beyond your specific question. You might call it a chatty chatbot. In the first response, Grok 3 included information about digging holes and some other related information. I wish I captured all that, but you get the idea.

It is a decent source of information and will answer many questions.  It evidently vacuums up a lot of information from many sources, assimilates that information, and provides quick answers that will be sufficient in many cases.  I'm not so sure that information sources receive enough credit as being the original source of the information provided by Grok or any of the other AI chatbots.

This was an extremely brief test of the system, but the initial results are fairly impressive.  I'll continue to evaluate AI systems and the usefulness for detecting and treasure hunting.  I'm sure it will prove useful in a variety of ways.

How an AI system judges or evaluates various content sources is important and will determine to some extent the nature and effectiveness of responses.  It is important how the system weights different.  I would hope that information provided by an Einstein would not receive the same weight as information provided by Joe Schmoe.  If all sources are considered equally important, you'd end up not getting the leading edge or most advanced thinking on a topic but rather some form of averaged group think.

I tested Grok on one very controversial subject and what I might describe as the common consensus was presented as the response.  I already knew what the common consensus and politically correct answer, so that wasn't very helpful to me.  I was hoping to find something a bit deeper or more insightful.  It seemed like I was getting the same answers I would get from any of a hundred other common sources.  I'd rather hear something that isn't already easy to find all over the internet.

For another kind of example, I queried Copilot by asking what shipwrecks are near Sebastian, Florida.  

Below is Copilot's response. 

Sebastian, Florida, is part of the famous "Treasure Coast," known for its rich history of shipwrecks. Here are some notable shipwrecks in the area:

1. 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet: This fleet of 11 Spanish galleons and one French ship, the Griffon, sank off the coast near Sebastian during a hurricane. The ships were heavily loaded with gold, silver, and other treasures from the New World.

2. Nuestra Señora de Atocha: Although not directly off Sebastian, this famous Spanish galleon was discovered by treasure hunter Mel Fisher. It sank in 1622 and was found in the Florida Keys, carrying a cargo of gold, silver, and copper bullion.

3. Santa Margarita: Another ship from the 1622 fleet, the Santa Margarita, was also discovered by Mel Fisher and his team. It carried a similar cargo to the Atocha.

Ehhhh..,  It said that the Atocha and Santa Margarita were "not directly off Sebastian," but the inclusion stills seems misleading, if not completely incorrect.

I also queried Copilot on wrecks and got some helpful answers but also noticed some important omissions.

Once again, this was a very quick test, but I think it points out some of the benefits as well as shortcomings of the AI systems tested.

I noticed that one system picked up the "Happy Hunting" and was adding that to the end of responses that were metal detecting or treasure hunting related.

It will be interesting to see if AI systems tailor answers to the user.  We could end up with systems that give you what you want to hear.  We don't need that.

---

Fort Pierce Surf Chart.
Source: SurfGuru.com.

The weather has been beautiful for being outside lately.  The surf is nothing special,   

Good Hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

2/18/25 Report - A Couple Strange Finds. Petrified Wood. A Questionable Cob Coin to Be Researched. Detectorist Good Behavior.

 

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

Fossilized Wood Find.

This is a very nice piece of fossilized wood.  Some call it petrified wood. 

This one isn't typical of the pieces I've previously found on the Treasure Coast.  Those I've found before were all much smaller and less attractive.  I'm wondering if this one is natural or if it was polished.

---

Cob Coin.

I found this cob coin loose in a box with others that were all in holders.  I don't know why it was loose without any identifying information.  

Below is the other side of the same coin.  I'll have closeups later.

Opposite Side of Same Coin.

Here is the first closeup.

Closeup of Same Cob Coin.
I couldn't get the entire coin with the microscope.

It looks strange to me, but it looks like it has a Potosi mint mark and a B assayer mark.  

Here is the closeup of the other side.

Closeup of Other Side of Same Cob Coin.

This side is smooth too but has some sharp scratches or marks that look like they would have been made after the coin was already worn smooth.

Below is an illustration of a Potosi eight-reale that shows the design of an early period cob.  Of course the cob in question is not an eight-reale.  It looks more like a two.

Illustration From the Sewall Menzell Book, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins.

I'm going to have to spend more time studying this cob.  I'm far from identifying what it is or what it is supposed to be.  At this point my suspicion is that it is a fake of some sort.

---

I received the following email from Dan B.

Hello there. Just wanted to bring something to light that I see too often but yesterday was more of a blatant example. 

I went to a local spot that is very popular and has provided many people I know with amazing finds through the years. It is a valuable area that keeps producing and you would think some care would be taken to avoid pissing off the locals. 

When I arrived yesterday. To enjoy a wonderful evening on the river, two gentlemen spoke with me that I recognized and they left with detectors with no mention of their mess. 

I found many open holes, one of which my ankle took a hit on even though I knew they were there. 

I understand they were below the low tide line and it was a difficult mud to move back in the hole yet there was no effort made. 

These actions threaten our entire hobby and makes all detectorists look bad. 

It's what ruins a good spot for all of us and they should be ashamed of their laziness and lack of respect for the sport and the historic location. 

If I see them again I will certainly voice my dissapoinymwnt but I thought it better to remind those who are new to this wonderful pastime and the rest of the readers. 

Please fill your holes. And respect private property. 

Thanks Dan.

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According to the U.S. Mint, the Fort Knox Bullion Depository currently houses 147.3 million ounces of gold. That amounts to approximately half of the U.S. Treasury's total stored gold.  Source:Is There Gold in Fort Knox? Yes, It Isn't Just a Conspiracy Theory

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I'm glad so many readers enjoyed the historic inspiring story of the beginnings of a major U.S. bank.

---

Source: SurfGuru.com.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

2/17/25 Report - Importance of Recognizing Dug Items in the Field. A Few Notes On Identifying Gun Flints.

 

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

Variety of Gun Flints Shown in an Old Post.
See link below.

I noticed that my old post on gun flints was getting a lot of views.  I wanted to see what else was out there but couldn't find very much on how to identify gun flints.  In fact, of the sources given by AI, my old post was one the two top sources.  Given the apparent interest and scarcity of information, I'll repost some of that material.

 ...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 row are French.

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

The last one in that picture is French.

Old Gun Flint Shapes.

Here is the link to the previous post.

The Treasure Beaches Report Direct From Florida's Treasure Coast.: 12/14/15 Report - Identifying Gun Flints. Gun Flint Holders. Beach Conditions.

I'm trying to relocate the original source for those two pictures and will post it when I find it.

I told the story before, but my first gun flint find was from a battle site in the Caribbean.  I was metal detecting on a very steep hillside and detected an oddly shaped and twisted piece of rusty metal.  I didn't immediately know what the item was and didn't pay much attention to it.  I also found a piece of flint inches away.  I finally realized that the one was the hammer of a flintlock and the other, the flint that went with it.  I wish I would have recognized both immediately.  I would have kept them, but more importantly, they were a sign of the other things that might be found in the area.  And, indeed, period buttons, grapeshot and other things were found on the same steep hillside.  I'm not sure now, but I think I might have also found a small piece of lead, which could have been the flint cap.  

If my memory is correct, it was a typical British example, like most of the other nearby finds

Some people are only interested in the things that find or want to find, but there are nice surprises waiting for you, and it will help if you realize what it is when you see it.  It is easy to discard something that is not recognized before you have a chance to learn about it.  I recommend reading about all sorts of finds even if you don't expect to find anything like that.  There are surprises and you don't want to miss the signs and clues that are presented to you as you work a site.

---

Here is the link to one site I found that mentions a few facts on gun flints.  It is a site on mountain men and life in the Rockies of the West.

Gun Flints

Below is a link to an academic paper entitled, Identification of gunflints from shipwrecks that begins, "Although gunflints have been recognized as an artefact type for a good many years, little primary research has been carried out within this field, with most gunflint papers referring back to a handful of useful – although by now partially outdated publications."  

file-1045-469778-1760.pdf

So it sounds like my observation was correct.  There aren't many studies on the subject.

Below is one figure from that paper, which gives more examples of British and French fun flints.

They give other examples as well, including some from other countries or nationalities, such as Danish.

Take a look.  file-1045-469778-1760.pdf

I did find several other studies and papers on the general topic of gun flints, but none were very helpful for identifying the nationality or source of the flint.  Maybe you can find a more comprehensive and useful treatment, but I have not.  Some that I found on the general topic had some serious flaw.  One required looking at an ad before viewing each and every page.  I didn't last long on that and would not recommend it to anybody.

---

If anyone knows the original source of my first two illustrations in this post, please let me know so I can provide the attribution.

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Below is an brief excerpt from an interesting article on the beginnings of the Bank of America.

After the devastating earthquake in April 1906, looters roamed the streets of San Francisco. Rescuing gold and silver from his small Bank of Italy, A.P. Giannini gained fame by setting up a makeshift bank on a North Beach wharf and making loans to local residents "on a handshake."

Amadeo Peter Giannini was born in San Jose, California in 1870. The son of Italian immigrants had an outsized personality and unlimited faith in the American dream.

Giannini began by selling fruits and vegetables from a horse-drawn wagon. But he was made for bigger things. At age 34, he launched a small bank in the Italian neighborhood of North Beach, San Francisco. At the time, big banks lent only to large businesses, handled deposits of the wealthy, and frowned on aggressive advertising...

And here is the link for more about that.

Bank of America: The Humble Beginnings of a Large Bank | OCC

Check out the stock chart.  It has done well over the past year.

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Disney confirmed they are ending their "Reimagine Tomorrow" program... 

The House of Mouse announced that they are ending the program, along with a slew of other DEI initiatives in an email, first reported by Axios, sent to employees...

DISNEY CEO BOB IGER TELLS EMPLOYEES HE WANTS TO ‘QUIET’ DOWN CULTURE WARS, ‘RESPECT’ THE AUDIENCE

Here is that link.

Disney drops controversial ‘Reimagine Tomorrow’ program as company pares back DEI initiatives

---

Nothing in the weather or surf predictions looks very exciting for beach metal detecting.  The surf will remain around two to three feet for a week or so and the tides will be pretty moderate.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

2/16/25 Report - Free Divers Picking Up Trash Found Gold Coins. Detectorists Find Silver Penny and Old Gold Ring. Other Benefits.

 Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

Gold Coins Discovered by Free Divers Cleaning Trash.
Source: See link to story below.

Two amateur freedivers, simply aiming to clean up the ocean floor while vacationing in Xàbia, Spain, never imagined they would stumble upon one of the most prominent archaeological finds in recent history. Brothers-in-law Luis Lens and César Gimeno were collecting trash from the seabed when they spotted a small glimmer in the sand, as reported by Ancient Origens.  What they initially mistook for a modern coin turned out to be part of a surprising cache of 1,500-year-old Roman gold coins, perfectly preserved from the twilight years of the Western Roman Empire.....

Here is the link to the story.

Amateur Freedivers Discover a Huge Hoard of 1,500-Year-Old Roman Gold Coins Along the Spanish Coast

And here is a link to a YouTube video on the same discovery.

Divers Find Biggest Ever Haul Of Ancient Roman Coins

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LONDON (AP) — When Malcolm Weale saw the tiny, dirt-covered object he’d unearthed in an English field, he knew it was something special.

In his hand was a silver penny minted during the reign of Guthrum, a Viking commander who converted to Christianity and ruled eastern England in the ninth century as Athelstan II.

For Weale, finding the first silver coin minted by a Viking ruler in Britain was the pinnacle of decades of hunting with his metal detector in the fields and forests near his home in eastern England...

Andy Akroyd, 49, also struck gold when he was out metal detecting near his home in Bedfordshire, central England.

“When I first saw it, I thought ‘Oh it’s a coin.’ Then I saw it’s a ring, I was thinking 1980s, cheap sovereign ring,” Akroyd said.

It turned out to be a 16th-century signet ring engraved with a phoenix, a mythical bird symbolizing rebirth that was associated with Elizabeth I. Found in an area used as a royal hunting ground in Elizabethan times, it was likely worn, and lost, by one of the queen’s supporters...

But the vast majority are in it for the thrill of discovery, not the money, Weale said.

“You could be a multi-multi-millionaire, but you could never buy that feeling that you feel when you find something,” he said...

Both men extol the mental health benefits of the methodical, slow-paced hobby, popularized to a wider audience by the gentle BBC sitcom "Dectectorist."

“All I’m thinking about when I’m out metal detectoring is history,” Weale said. “Kings, queens — I’m totally in the zone. I’m not worried about bills, or even keeping warm. Sometimes I forget to eat.”

Akroyd said that some days he just sits, watching hares leap and birds of prey soar in the sky.

“I lost my dad last year. I’ll have a chat to my dad when I’m out in the field. ‘Come on, Dad — what way now?’” Akroyd said. “He never finds me anything.”

Here is the link for the text of that article.

With metal detectors and patience, amateur treasure hunters unearth pieces of British history | AP News

Unlike most articles of its type, that was a very good article.  There is a lot of good stuff that I didn't include above, but I particularly like the last sentence.  

For many detectorists, it is about more than finding things.  It can be about clearing the mind and exercising the body as well.  Of course, the mind is also exercised before, during and after the hunt, as well.

You might want to use the link and read the entire article.

===

Fort :Pierce Surf Chart.
Source: SurfGuru.com.

Slightly negative low tides and mderate high tides today.  NE swell and south winds.  

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

2/15/23 Report - Old Weapon Hoard Found. Unfound Treasures of Atocha and Margarita. Iron Mountain. Security Features on Notes.

 Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

Archaeologists with the Vejle Museum have unearthed a 1,600-year-old weapon offering, including more than 100 spearheads, lances, swords, a chainmail as well as two fragments of a Roman helmet, at the site of Løsning Søndermark, Hedensted, Denmark.

“During the examination of one of the largest weapon deposits — offered in a posthole of a house — two unusual iron plates were unearthed, both roughly the size of a palm,” Vejle Museums archaeologist Elias Witte Thomasen and colleagues said in a statement.

“At first, their origin was unclear. However, with the help of X-ray imaging, conservators and archaeologists were able to see beneath the thick layers of rust surrounding the objects.”

“The results revealed an extremely rare find — the remains of a Roman helmet.”..

Here is the link for more about that..

https://www.sci.news/archaeology/roman-helmet-denmark-13653.html#google_vignette

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Based upon research conducted by Eugene Lyons, the following list is an estimate of the treasure remaining to be found on the Atocha and Margarita sites.  It was obtained by email from the Mel Fisher organization.  

Atocha • 45,000 Silver coins ..................$90,000,000 • 264 Silver bars.........................$20,000,000 • 10 Bronze cannonS.................$10,000,000 • 140 Copper Ingots.......................$425,000            Atocha estimated manifested    total remaining.......$120,425,000 Santa Margarita • 80,000 Silver coins ................$160,000,000 • 169 Silver Bars ........................$12,800,000 • 4 Bronze CANNONS .................$4,000,000 • 22 Copper Ingots............................$66,000              Margarita estimated manifested              total remaining.......$176,866,000 Total 1622 Fleet Atocha/Margarita estimated manifested total remaining $297,291,000     PLUS • Un-manifested emeralds that could exceed $500,000,000 • 35 chests OF RELIGIOUS ARTIFACTS • Additional items not listed on the manifest, including silver plates, serving ware, valuable ceramics, and other unique artifacts The 35 chests of religious artifacts are among the most interesting to me. --- The media has recently been talking a lot about the old limestone mine in Pennsylvania where the government stores Federal employee retirement records.  The way it isc covered in the media, you'd think that government records is the only thing that is stored in the mine.  That is not the case,  The Iron Mountain Company is a global records management firm that does a lot more.  Some local  Treasure Coast companies use them, including, among others, hospitals.  They store records in the mine, but also at above ground sites as well.   They also do shredding and digitizing.  They were found in 1951, but only purchased the limestone mine in 1998. See Iron Mountain (company) - Wikipedia for more about the company. --- The 2023 $100 bill includes several advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting: 3-D Security Ribbon: A blue ribbon woven into the paper with images of bells and 100s that move and change from one to the other as you tilt the note. Color-Shifting Ink: The bell in the inkwell and the numeral 100 in the lower right corner change color from copper to green when you tilt the note. Watermark: A faint image of Benjamin Franklin that is visible from both sides of the note when held to light. Security Thread: A vertical thread that glows pink under UV light and is embedded in the paper. Microprinting: Tiny text that is difficult to reproduce and can be found around Franklin's portrait and other areas of the bill. Raised Printing: The use of intaglio printing gives a tactile quality to the bill, particularly on the portrait and significant text, aiding those with visual impairments in identifying the note. Making a hundred-dollar bill costs a lot more than making a one-dollar bill, in part due to the additional security features.  Fraud and crime costs us all in many ways. --- Expect a higher surf tomorrow. Good hunting, TreasureGuide@comcast.net