4/28/25 Report - Pirates, a Bishop and a Pope and the Story of the Lost Treasure of Thibaud de Castillon from Vatican Reports. Fossilization Wonders.

 

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

Documents published from the Vatican archives in 2014 revealed an incredible tale of pirate attacks and corruption involving a 14th century bishop, whose lifelong accumulation of treasure was accosted by pirates on the way to Avignon, France, where Pope Innocent VI was based. One of the pirate ships ran aground and the pirates as well as a portion of the treasure was captured. ..

Following the death of de Castillon in 1357 AD, a ship named the São Vicente, laden with de Castillon’s lifelong accumulation of treasures, including gold, silver, rings, tapestries, jewels, fine plates and altars, set sail from Lisboa (modern-day Lisbon) in Portugal, to Avignon in France.  Pope Innocent VI (reign 1352-1362) was based in Avignon due to political turmoil in Italy at the time...

The São Vicente was attacked by two pirate ships while sailing near the town of Cartagena, in modern-day Spain. One of the ships was captained by a pirate named Botafoc (“fire blast”), while the other was commanded by Martin Yanes...

The crew of the São Vicente had little choice but to surrender de Castillon’s treasure to the two pirate ships. While the ship led by Martin Yanes appears to have made a clean getaway with a bounty of treasure.  Botafoc’s ship ran aground near the town of Aigues-Mortes in France, and the pirates were captured by the local garrison.  The crew was quickly hanged, while Botafoc and a few of his officers were sent to prison to await their fate... 

Here is the link for more about that.

The Extraordinary Tale of a Pope, a Pirate, and a Dead Bishop’s Treasure | Ancient Origins

These pirates were well-armed indeed. The pirate Martin Yanes (or Martinus Johannes) of Sevilla and Antonio "Botafoc" of Genoa (Botafoc meaning "fire blast" — via Live Science) were not deterred by exclamations of "spolia" and the invocation of Pope Innocent VI's name.

The pirates Martinus Johannes (of Sevilla) and Botafoc (of Genoa) presumably took the São Vicente for all that it was worth and thus procured the spoils of the bishopric. From surviving accounts in Vatican records, Martinus Johannes is not heard from again after this point. Botafoc, however, has a continuing role in the Vatican's account, and was not lucky enough to perhaps evade the cruel ledger of history.

According to the Vatican records as recounted by Williman and Corsano, Botafoc's galley was "blown ashore" near Carnon Plage (via Williman and Corsano) and with it, de Castillon's fortune.

The spoils of the late bishop's myriad investments, which included gold coins, silver plate, jewels, tapestries, ecclesiastical rarities, compact altars, and fine rings, were all snatched by the hungriest beast of them all — the sea. Thankfully (for these gentlemen), the shipwreck was close enough to Aigues Mortes that the treasure began to wash ashore, and royal notaries swarmed in to "take inventory," profusely attesting it belonged to Pope Innocent VI (according to Williman and Corsano). The papal subcollector came ashore and declared the treasure "spolia." 

A brief reference is made in the Vatican text to the fact that some of de Castillon's treasure was found by local fisherfolk. These fisherfolk are not mentioned again. The pirates were hanged and dubbed "enemies of mankind," and the higher-ranking pirates were thrust into the pope's jail and slapped with steep fines. 

Martinus Johannes, presumably, continued sailing and conducting his various pirate ventures on the perilous seas of a world freshly-erupted into French and English War. No one knows exactly what happened to the treasure, but we do know Pope Innocent VI never got all of de Castillon's "spolia" he decreed was his due. Some, perhaps, slipped through the fingers of hungry vicars and found its way to the ocean floor, or perhaps even into the hands of the needy. The rest of the pope's "spolia" was added to Innocent VI's teeming mounds of accumulated wealth, exchanged as gifts to royals, or simply stockpiled amongst the papal reserves. These reserves grew increasingly vast throughout the Middle Ages, and during the rise of the Holy Roman Empire's prime centuries of dominion. The rest, as we know it, is history.

Here is that link.

The real reason we can't find Thibaud de Castillon's lost treasure

The São Vicente's mission was to deliver the dead bishop's treasure to Avignon, in France, where Pope Innocent VI (reign 1352-1362) was based. In the 14th century, popes often resided in Avignon due to political turmoil in Italy...

Botafoc's ship was armed to the teeth. Records indicate that his crew carried cutlasses and war pikes, and his galley had at least seven ballistae, which were large, crossbowlike devices capable of launching 9-inch (23 centimeters) stone bullets at high speeds. Two ballistae would have been placed on the bow, one would have been elevated above the deck and the others could have been movable, Williman and Corsano said...


"The poor common sailors were extra-judicially hanged. They were, by tradition, hostes humani generis, enemies of the human race, like highway brigands, and no law protected them," Williman and Corsano told Live Science in an email.

Botafoc and a few of his officers were spared and were sent to prison to await their fate. "Depositing a large amount of gold coin with the bishop of Torino, who happened to be in residence in Montpellier, Botafoc surrendered to the captain of Aigues-Mortes, while his mate and [another officer] went into the custody of the marshal of justice of the papal Curia at Avignon," Williman and Corsano wrote in their book.

Before the authorities could secure the beached pirate vessel, local fishers took items from the ship, claiming right of salvage.

On Feb. 11, 1357, Jean des Baumes, a clerk of a local judge, took inventory of the remaining goods. "Apart from the ship's sail, cordage, oars, armament and rigging, the judge's clerk on the beach listed a great mass of clothing and cloth in odd lots — but also items like books and ecclesiastical vestments," Williman and Corsano wrote.


The recaptured treasure went to the pope and was used as gifts for royalty and to pay soldiers, courtiers and other staff.

While Botafoc's crew was hanged, his officers were let off with a fine, the Vatican records indicate...

The second pirate ship that attacked the São Vicente — the one commanded by Yanes — was never mentioned again in historical records. Yanes' crew may have gotten away cleanly, with a bounty of treasure.

And here is that link.

Pirate Attacks, Corruption & Treasure Revealed in Vatican Archives

---

His [Thibaut de Castillon's] wealth was meticulously documented by the pope's executor, who chronicled over 1,800 pounds of silver and gold plate, over twenty mules and horses, and a valuable library of precious works, according to Williman and Corsano's summary translation of the Vatican reports. In the years following de Castillon's death, the pope's executor was obligated by ill fortune to spend 3,000 pounds on cathedral repairs after an earthquake struck Lisboa, and an additional 5,000 in extortion to quell "vexations" from the Infante who temporarily accumulated power through a rebellion against his royal father. Casting these irritations aside, the pope's executor left Lisbon in 1357 en route to the pope's residence in Avignon (France), with the vast majority of de Castillon's wealth in tow.

And here is that link.

The Real Reason We Can't Find Thibaud De Castillon's Lost Treasure

---

Fossilization is a rare and selective process. Not every creature that dies is granted the honor of eternal preservation. For a fossil to form, the remains must be buried quickly, usually by sediment, to protect them from scavengers and decay. In most cases, only the hardest parts of the body, like bones or shells, survive this journey. But sometimes, under extraordinary circumstances, softer tissues or even skin impressions are preserved. When two or more fossils overlap in this sacred burial, with one capturing the skin or scales of another, it feels as if nature is deliberately layering secrets for us to uncover. The odds of such preservation are staggeringly low, making every discovery a scientific jackpot...

Here is that link for more about that.

When Fossils Fossilize Fossils: Skin Impressions Within Bones and Armor - discoverwildscience

===

Source: SurfGuru.com.

The most interesting thing for me is the two negative tides predicted for Monday.

Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/27/25 Report - Coins Buried With Pope Francis. Papal Coins and the Papal Mint. Collecting Papal Coins. Sede Vacante Coins.

 

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

Source: Buy 1933-34 Vatican City Gold 100 Lire Jubilee BU | APMEX

"A pouch containing some coins and medals minted during Pope Francis' tenure as a pontiff are placed in the coffin along with a tube containing the rogito. The coins are made of gold, silver and copper. A coin is produced for each year of the Pope's tenure, which means that 12 coins were placed in a bag inside Pope Francis' coffin."...

Explaining the ritual, Fada Mentor stated that the 12 coins symbolise the 12 years of Pope Francis' papacy and were specifically selected because they were minted during his tenure.

In a Facebook post, Fada Mentor explained that the Vatican traditionally produces a commemorative coin for each year of a pontiff's leadership...

Commemorative coins produced by the Vatican during Pope Francis' tenure include coins made of gold, silver, and copper. These coins feature the prominent symbols of the pope, such as the keys of Saint Peter, but not any face. The designs were created by three Italian Mint artists. There are also Vatican 2-euro commemorative coins that are popular and go for around €200...

Here is the link.

This is why 12 special coins were put in the casket of Pope Francis before burial

---

There are 5 different series of Vatican Coins in circulation, each with a different Pope on one side to help differentiate between other Eurozone Coins. Vatican coins and stamps serve as an important sign of Vatican sovereignty, and their scarcity and design makes them popular with collectors. The Numismatic Cabinet or Medagliere of the Vatican Library preserves coins, medals, seals, plaquettes, plaques, engraved stones, casts, and other similar materials. It also keeps the official pontifical medals and coins. The collection includes about 300,000 pieces.

Here is that link.

Vatican Coins: Silver, Gold, Commemorative, Rare Ones & More

---

CoinWeekly produced a set of questions and answers for coin collectors regarding the death of Pope Francis.  Included are; What happens to the Vatican euro coins after the deatrh of Pope Francis?; Will there be a Sede Vacante commemorative coin in 2025?; Why is a Sede Vacante circulation set unlikely; What might a Sede Vacante coin look?; and more.

Here is that link.

Questions and Answers for Coin Collectors Regarding the Death of Pope Francis - CoinsWeekly %

Sede Vacante coins are coins minted for the period between popes and feature on one side the Vatican seal.

See Between One Pope and the Next – the Sede Vacante Coins - Numismatic News

---

There is a very long history of Papal coins and the Papal mint.

Coins survive from the tenures of Pope Zacharias (741-752), of Gregory III (731-741) (Ficoroni, "Museo Kircheriano"), and possibly of Gregory II (715-731). These pieces, two of which are of silver, are believed to be true coins, and not medals like those distributed as "presbyterium" at the coronation of the popes since the time of Valentine (827). Their stamp resembles the Byzantine and Merovingian coins of the seventh and eighth centuries, and their square shape is also found in Byzantine pieces...

The popes, and also the Senate when it coined money, appear to have used the imperial mint of Rome, which was on the slope of the Campidoglio, not far from the Arch of Septimius Severus; but in the fifteenth century the mint was near the bank of Santo Spirito. Finally, in 1665, Alexander VII moved it to the rear of the apse of St. Peter's. Bernini invented for it a machine to do the work more rapidly, and Francesco Girardini furnished a very sensitive balance; so that the mint of Rome was technically the most perfect one of those times. In 1845 Pius IX equipped it with the most modern appliances...

Here is that link for much more about that.

Papal mint - Wikipedia

---

Soruce: SurfGuru.com.

Expect a small surf this week, with, at most, a four foot surf on Wednesday.

Saturday will have a nice negative one-foot low tide.

I'm sure everybody had a good time at the Treasure Hunter's annual cookout.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

Treasure Hunters Cookout and Reunion Today`in Sebastian.

 

Pennwood Motor Lodge, US 1, Wabasso, Fl.

Forgot to let you know about the Annual picnic being tomorrow.

My friend the bookstore owner will have a table display of many treasure related books, magazines and Florida historical documents for sale. You might be interested in some of it.  We will be setup on a table near an orange Ford Maverick pickup truck, looks like a school bus.

Warren D.

Everyone welcome.

Bring a covered side, dessert dish or a cooler with drinks if you like - we'll be serving ribs, burgers and hot dogs.

Lunch is free, but monetary donations to defray expenses would be appreciated.

Starts around noon.

4/25/25 Report - Details and Documents from a Spanish Treasure Galleon: Nuestra Senora de Covadonga. Photos, Finds and Memories.

 

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

Capture of the Spanish Galleon Nuestra Senora de Covadonga.

From 1565 to 1815, enormous and well-armed Spanish ships, known as galleons, sailed across the Pacific Ocean each year, traveling back and forth between Acapulco in Mexico and Manila in the Philippines.

On their westward leg, these ships carried vast cargoes of silver coins (mostly denominated as pesos or pieces of eight), along with small amounts of other goods, which allowed them to buy a range of merchandise in Manila, from Chinese jade and silk, to Sumatran spices and Japanese lacquered furniture. These were some of the most valuable commodities in the world and, when transported back to Acapulco, merchants flocked from as far away as Peru to buy them at annual fairs.

Traders then either sold these goods in the Americas or exported them across the Atlantic to Spain and to other European markets, making the Manila galleon trade route one of the most significant in global history. It linked Asia to Central America and, indirectly, to Europe, with the goods exchanged shaping the fashions, languages and cuisines of three continents for 250 years...

The Covadonga sailed from Acapulco on 15 April 1743, weighed down by silver worth roughly £60 million today, and 530 people, half of them crew and the remainder passengers. To make room for this volume of people and silver, the newly-appointed Commander, Geronimo Montero, had ordered the removal of all but 13 of the 50 cannons, leaving the ship far below its full strength. This was ill-advised as Spain was at this time embroiled in a conflict against Great Britain known as the War of Jenkin’s Ear (1739–48)...

The approaching ship was commanded by Commodore George Anson, who in 1740 was charged with leading a fleet of six warships into the Pacific by the British Admiralty, to raid vulnerable Spanish cities and to capture the Covadonga. Treasure galleons were always tempting targets for Spain’s European rivals, who planned to intercept them each time that war broke out in the hope of disrupting the Spanish Empire’s economy. Anson’s voyage was poorly planned, however. His ships were overcrowded and he lost most of his crew through storms, mutiny and disease before really entering the Pacific, while the soldiers he was allocated came from Chelsea Hospital, all being either too old or infirm for regular service...

(Source link: The papers of Nuestra Señora de Covadonga, a Spanish treasure galleon – The National Archives)

At the outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession in 1740, Commodore George Anson was sent to the Pacific with a squadron of six ships, his own being the 'Centurion', 60 guns. His instructions were to damage Spanish interests in the Pacific at a time when Spain and England were competing for maritime supremacy. Anson sailed via Cape Horn but by the time he reached Macao, China, in November 1742, 'Centurion', was the only surviving ship in his squadron, the others having been separated or wrecked. After wintering there he set off on 29 April 1743 in search of the immensely valuable Manila galleon 'Nuestra Señora de Covadonga', which he sighted while cruising through Philippine waters in June 1743. He immediately attacked the 'Covadonga', which was heavily laden with cargo from Acapulco. During an attempt to escape the Spaniards threw part of this into the ocean, to no avail, and Anson was able to seize the 'Covadonga's treasure of Spanish dollars, silver and other valuable goods. Its value was immense and not only ensured the financial success of the voyage but made Anson wealthy for life.

(Source link: The Capture of the 'Nuestra Señora de Cavadonga' by the 'Centurion', 20 June 1743 | Royal Museums Greenwich)

Before Anson could securely claim his plundered silver, he had to prove that his capture was legal before the High Court of Admiralty in London. The Court’s prize jurisdiction heard the case and roughly 100 documents taken from the Covadonga, including the ship’s administrative papers and letters intended for delivery to Manila, served as exhibits.

These legal proceedings are the reason that the Covadonga’s papers survive at The National Archives as part of the Prize Papers (HCA 32), along with similar materials taken from roughly 35,000 ships between 1652 and 1815. Together, the galleon’s papers reveal much about the voyage of the Covadonga, its crew and passengers, but also the many people whose lives were connected through the Manila galleons. See The papers of Nuestra Señora de Covadonga, a Spanish treasure galleon – The National Archives

You can learn about the papers of the Nuestra Senora de Covadona by using the above link  

This previously unknown set of records from an 18th-century galleon shines a light on one of history's most significant trade routes. It was found among roughly 500,000 papers taken from ships in the Prize Papers collection, which are being digitized in collaboration with University of Oldenburg.

The above links provide access to a lot of other information as well.  The site is a mess.  It is very difficult to navigate or even figure out what all is available.  It seems like it was designed by a 1960s computer scientist and does not at all live up to the standards of modern user friendliness.  Nonetheless, if you are willing to spend enough time wandering around, you can find a lot of information.  There is a good section on World Warr II, and a variety of other areas.

Good luck.  Have at it.

----

Recently I came across some of my old find photos.  Even though the finds were made somewhere around four decades ago, I remember exactly where many of them were dug.  My recommendation is keeping even better records, including dates, locations and other important information.  Of course I didn't anticipate looking back after a period of decades.  I didn't think that far in advance.  

What surprises me is how much I remember when I look at some of these photos.  I can remember exactly where I found many of them, but not all of them.  I remember those that are in some way unique or stand out while other more common finds are now lost to memory.  It seems, though, the longer I look at them and the more I remember.  Details start coming back.  That is kinda fun. 

Just as an example, the piano ring at the top and just left of the top of the chain, came from a spot on Virginia Key.  I remember it well.  I remember the lay of the land, what was going on, and the kind of day it was.  

I got five pieces of gold that day from a small area.  Three came from a deep hole in the water close to some rocks and two of the other finds came from a shallow water sand bar, not too far away.  The piano ring and the class ring with the blue stone, just to the left and down one row from the piano ring, were on a shallow water sand bar.  I remember telling the fellow who modified the Nautilus and sold it about the finds, so it was a Noga-modified Nautilus which I had before the Herb McDonald detectors.  I loved that metal detector, especially with the first coil, which seemed super-hot.  After I used the first one a little, I liked it so much I called and ordered a second to have as a backup.  That could have been the same call.

Moving on to another find, the green jade ring with gold lining came from Key Biscayne.  I remember that one very well.  The gold lining around the finger hole is very thin.  It was a subtle signal in shallow water in front of a resort.  

I won't go on with that but might show some of the other find photos from that stack.  Unfortunately this photo doesn't show enough detail on some of the finds.  I'n not sure right off what is in the coin holders.

---

Soruce: Surfguru.com.

As you can see the south winds will continue for a while.  Seems too much like summer for my liking, including the hotter weather.

Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/24/25 Report - The Pope's Ring and What Will Happen to It. Journal of Glass Studies. Collection of Seals in Britains National Collection.

 

Written by the Treasureguide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Repo

With a history dating back to at least the 13th century, the Fisherman’s Ring is among the most recognizable items of papal regalia. Named after St. Peter, who was a fisherman and, according to the Catholic tradition, the first pope, it was worn by Pope Francis to ceremonial events throughout his 12-year reign. Countless devoted followers kissed it. It even sparked a controversy over hygiene.

Now, as tradition dictates, the late pontiff’s signet ring will be destroyed — or defaced, at least — within the walls of the Vatican following his death, aged 88, on Easter Monday.

It is a ritual with practical roots. The Fisherman’s Ring and a pendant called the bulla traditionally served as official seals for official letters and documents known as papal briefs. New ones were issued to each incoming pope, and to prevent letters or decrees being forged posthumously, both would be smashed with a hammer upon his death. From 1521 until 2013, this is precisely what happened...

Here is the link for more about that.

Why Pope Francis’ signet ring will be destroyed following his death

---

And here is a great resource from Britain's National Archives.

The National Archives holds over a quarter of a million seals dating from the 11th to the 20th century. Much of the collection, which includes a number of significant royal, government and colonial seals, is from the medieval and early modern periods. Use this guide for advice on how to locate and view these seals...

You can see many of the seals and the related information in the extensive database

Here is the link.

Seals - The National Archives

One of my all-time favorite beach finds is wax seal impression that I found at the water's edge north of Turtle Trail.  It is hard to imagine something so fragile lasting so long and then being found.  Unfortunately I was never able to a great photo of the impression.  I will have to take some time to research it.  I previously had offers by people interested in doing the research but never was able to give them a good photo.  Who knows what official document it was attached to?

See The Treasure Beaches Report Direct From Florida's Treasure Coast.: 2/3/16 Report - One Of The Most Remarkable Beach Finds That I Could Ever Imagine.

---

Here is another good research resource.  It is the Journal of Glass Studies.  Issue 66 for example includes a few interesting articles.

Here is a link to one of those articles about early vitreous materials found in Spain.

Journal of Glass Studies | Issue: Issue: 0(66) 2024 (2025)

And here is a link to an article on 17th century European glass.

Kunicki-Goldfinger | Seventeenth-Century Façon de Venise Glass from De Twee Rozen Glasshouse, Amsterdam: Technology out of Step with Fashion? | Journal of Glass Studies

The records show tons of glass beads and objects imported to the early Spanish colonies, so this research could come in handy if you've found some glass beads or shards on the Treasure Beaches.  I'm sure that more time on that site will produce many more good relevant articles.

I noticed the BIG find from the Oak Island TV show is a glass beach discovered by the archaeologists.  Of course, it was a huge find and related somehow to the Templars or something.  I've sorta gone  to sleep on that exciting program.

---

Looks like we're in for a week of two - three foot surf.  Still, if you are dedicated you can make some great finds.  It was a very calm surf summer-like day when I found my wax seal impression.

Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/23/25 Report - Thoroughly Working a Metal Detecting Site. A Forth Hunt at the Jensen Caafe Site. Observations, Tests and Adjustments.

 

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

Finds made by Mark G. on a Forth Hunt
At the Jensen Cafe Site.

I've done three previous posts about three separate hunts at what I now call the Jensen Cafe site.  I am talking about where the snack shop was at Jensen Beach.  The cafe was demolished, and Mark G. recognized the opportunity and hunted the site three different times.  He detected the site again and sent in the results of this new hunt.

Below is Mark G's report on his last hunt.  He also reported on some tests he some subsequent tests he conducted with his Nokta Legend.

I know I said the last time it would be my last email well I lied. Right after that I found the best find yet, a 14K 22 inch solid gold chain. Funny thing is I probably only found it by accident digging up a coin as it does not ring up in the setting I was in. But that’s been happening a lot with junk jewelry as well. As predicted my coin count goes down by roughly a dollar every evening when I hunt there, however as predicted the finds are getting older. Last evening I dug 9 copper pennies and 2 wheat pennies. I haven’t seen any signs of other hunters don’t know if you got any feed back but I am still going every evening until they kick me out.

 

On a side note now that I have some gold pieces on hand and finding the gold chain by accident I decided to test my gold settings on my Nokta Legend. I have 4 profiles in Beach Mode, (1) I set per my book by Andy Sabisch to find gold “the gold setting” (2) I have the factory settings tweaked a little for the beach (3) I left Factory as is on the latest program 1.17 (bought it at 1.11) and (4) is my highly tweaked parking lot mode. I tested 3 articles a very small 14K diamond earring (found by accident in Publix parking lot) a small gold filled ring (Found with detector in beach parking) and the 14K 9 gram chain found by accident at the Dunes café site. All modes picked up the very thin gold ring loud and clear, the small earring was very faint I probably wouldn’t have found it in the sand, however the chain was silent in all modes accept one. The factory setting mode (3) completely untouched by me heard the chain loud enough to find it in the sand. I guess I am not smarter than the engineers at NOKTA.

Objects Used in NOKTA Legend Test.

Gold Marks.

Mark's results are what would be expected with this type of site. In fact, his results illustrate remarkably well what I was said would typically happen when you continue to hunt a productive site.

The first hunt will typically produce a lot of surface targets that can be recovered quickly.  The coin count will be relatively high. As you continue to work the site, expect more older and better targets after many of the easier targets have been removed.  That is exactly what is shown by Marks finds over his four hunts.  

I mentioned before some of the reasons that happens.   I recently presented my Intensive Step Search strategy for that type of site.  

Changing settings or even detector will often help turn up targets that were previously missed for one reason or another.   Different settings will sometimes allow you to detect targets that were missed before., Using different detector will also work - sometimes better.  As you remove more targets and pay more attention to deeper targets and more subtle signals, you might want to change from what i would call a finesse metal detector to more of a power detector (a detector that probably has fewer bells and whistles but has great sensitivity to small and deep targets.)  During that stage you focus more on the most borderline or questionable signals. By that stage you should have used most junk and want to really clean things out.

It is also a good idea after finding a good target that provides a marginal signal, to test various detector settings on the target, which Mark did.  You can learn more about your detector that way and also learn to fine tune the detector for that kind of target.

When doing tests like this, vary the settings to see how you can get the best signal from the targets you are most interested in.   Different settings will have its own strengths and weaknesses, just like any detector will have its own strengths and weaknesses.  

An estimation of what the site might hold and consideration of your goals will determine your choice of settings or detectors.  You won't always be right but you'll get feedback from your experience at the site so you can continue to make adjustments.

Of course, there are problem with both air and ground tests, which I've talked about before. For example, during such a test, the user often sweeps to obtain the maximum signal strength.  Typically, the operator perfectly centers the object under the coil and adjust the sweep speed until they get the strongest signal.  The problem with that is that is not how you operate in the field.  Most often the target is not perfectly centered under the sweep spot, and very often the sweep speed is too fast, but could also be too slow - depending upon the detector and conditions.

I once did a post on the problem with air tests.  Some of the same problems are present with  ground tests, which I've talked about before too.  See, for example, The Treasure Beaches Report Direct From Florida's Treasure Coast.: 1/19/15 Report - Some Problems With Air Tests: Physical & Psychological. Calm Surf and Sandy Beaches

Once you get the optimal signal, take note of the sweep speed.  Is that the same sweep speed you use when detecting?  If it is not, that means the test isn't a 100% applicable.  You might want to adjust the sweep speed you actually use when detecting.  

When doing ground tests, move the coil slower and faster.  Notice the effect on the signal strength. When you identify the optimal sweep speed, try to use that same speed when detecting.  That will take some practice and discipline.

Another thing to test is how depth affects the signal.  Notice how much depth affects your target signal.

I'll wrap it up there for today.

No big changes with the surf coming up soon.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

4/22/25 Report - Swords and Other Iron Age Artifacts. Highlighted Lots from the Upcoming Sedwick Auction. Great Whites Fossil Find.

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

Also documented were 18 fibulae—brooches used to fasten garments—mostly made of iron or copper alloys. Although very deteriorated at the time of extraction, they were successfully restored at the CREAM laboratory in Vienne. One features a decorative motif similar to that of the aforementioned bracelets, suggesting stylistic coherence. Another stands out especially for its ornamental richness: it includes a cabochon with a low-relief disc, covered by a repoussé silver sheet. Based on its characteristics, this piece can be dated between the late 4th and early 3rd centuries BCE.

The two most striking tombs, however, are those that have preserved complete swords still in their respective sheaths. The first, found in tomb 782, contains an exceptional weapon. Its sheath, richly decorated with spiral motifs and ocelli, was designed to be worn at the side. The hilt and front plate are made of copper alloys and feature inlaid cabochons, some of which include swastika-shaped decorations and possibly fragments of glass paste. X-rays have also revealed symbols on the tip of the blade: a circle and a crescent moon, separated by a line—details that suggest it was made in the early 4th century BCE.

The second sword, from tomb 990, still has the suspension rings that allowed it to be worn close to the body. Although more restrained in terms of ornamentation—except for a pair of ocelli discreetly placed at the top of the sheath—it preserves traces of fabric adhered to the sheath’s oxidation. These textile fragments could belong to the deceased’s clothing, a shroud, or a protective cover. Its typology and dimensions also place it chronologically within the 4th century BCE...

Here is the link to learn more about the Iron Age site where these items were found.

A Celtic Iron Age Necropolis Found in France Without Human Remains but With Complete Swords in Their Sheaths and Other Treasures

---

I always recommend studying a variety of treasures of the type you'd like to find.  When it comes to Spanish Colonial coins, one of the best chances to do that is by studying the items listed in the SedwickCoiin treasure auctions.  

Here are some highlighted items from the upcoming Sedwick Coins treasure auction (no. 37), which will be live May 7 - 8.  As usual many of the lots were salvaged from the 1715 Fleet.  Take a look.

---

In 2019, a massive great white shark known as "Deep Blue" was spotted off the coast of Hawaii. Although not within the continental U.S., this sighting was significant, as it marked one of the largest great whites ever documented in proximity to American waters. Estimated to be over 20 feet long and weighing around 2.5 tons, Deep Blue became an icon for shark enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Here is the link for more about that large Great White,

Deep Blue (great white shark) - Wikipedia

Below is the first shark tooth I ever found, which happens to e a nice example of a Great Whate.

It is funny how you can hunt for years and then find your first of a type and then hunt many more years and never find another.

I've been to the area where this tooth was found many times and never found another.  And there just has to be more there.  

When I found it, I bent over to pick up what I thought ata the time was the corner of a mostly buried old bottle.  Since that time, I've found many more shark teeth, but no more Great Whites.

Keep your eyes open while metal detecting.

===

SurfGuru is predicting a two-to-three-foot surf for the entire week.  

Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net