Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
 |
| Gold Enameled Family Pin Found on Florida Beach. |
Yesterday I posted a picture of an American flag lapel pin that was recently found. Lapel pins are not often found on the beach, but they aren't really rare either. I don't know who would be wearing a lapel pin on a beach, but you do find them. Above is one such find.
It is stamped 10K on the back and the pin is broke off. It was found with a bunch of older coins, including many silver from around the forties. A part of the beach was eroding where I think there was once a road or parking area that was later covered by sand and vegetation. Part of an old post remained that I think could have belonged to a gate. The area was packed or paved at one time unlike the rest of the surrounding beach.
Of the lapel pins I've found, many are interesting in one way or another. They often tell something about the person, and many are gold and have small gems.
Of course the flag pins are popular these days, as are pins showing affiliation with some cause. Group membership is often indicated by a pin.
Below is another 10K pin find.
 |
| 10K Kappa Delta Pi Pin. |
Kappa Delta Pi, is an International Honor Society for educators that was formed in 1911.
One old find that I showed before is a press pin. Here is it.
 |
| Old Find - Press Pin. |
I found an old press pin like the one shown above offered for sale on the internet for $375. It was in better condition though.
Then there are the company service pins. One day I posted one I found, and Duane C. sent in this picture of a similar one from a hospital.
 |
| Service Pin. Photo by Duane C. |
I suspect that the lapel pins evolved from brooches.
Here is a link for more about that.
A history of brooches: the style evolution of a classic jewel | The Jewellery Editor
If you remember the signet ring I posted with an eagle and lions rampant holding a crown, a lot of research has been done on the shield, but Scott B. sent this photo he saw that reminded him of the eagle on the ring. It is very similar.
I've posted many brooches in the past. Some come from ancient hoards and some came from our local shipwrecks. You can find many of them on the old TreasureBeachesReport.blogspot.com.
---
Dan B. wrote in about the mystery items I posted yesterday. Here is what he said.
Pretty hard to tell about the "bronze coin" and the "silver object" from the photo alone. The metal shows signs of what pewter plates looks like from the shipwreck. But if it is hollow on the back and is a cast metal then it may just be a pot metal ornamental piece. The old pewter will fall apart in a very similar way.
Supposedly, there was an individual that worked with salvagers on 1715 wrecks with same nickbame, but not to be mistaken for the person I ran into recently.
Here it is...
I met a very interesting person in the state park where I have been fishing since covid.
Mike "Mad Dog" worked with Mel from day one. He would ventured out west for the other half of the year looking for gems, dinosaur bones, etc. He told me he missed the year Mel discovered the silver bars.
He was around during the time when I was stationed in Key West during early 80s. We knew Mel, Deo, and his kids; Kim, Kane, and Taffi. He knew all the divers, but one of the more popular characters was Pat Clyne. Pat used to do the dividends. Pat later wrote a book about some of the stories Mike and I talked about. A lot went on other then treasure hunting. (Pat passed away February 2020.)
Mike was friends with John Brandon and worked with him when John started on his own as a Salvager. They did a lot of operations together.
Mike was in Vietnam, and saw a lot of action. When he joined Mel the crew would call him Mad Dog. He was one of the few that would dive near the 500 pounders. They were mostly practice bombs, but still deadly. They covered a lot of the wrecks, including the 1733 wrecks. One story was when they found a slew of emeralds under one of those piles. Mike found one of the few known 1732 8 Reales. Because only a few were ever found there was controversy amongst numismatics. They would not acknowledge there were Pillar reales made earlier then 1733.
He told me after the passing of his wife, and living in the Keys for nearly 30 years, that he simply got exhausted of all the drama. We both agreed when it is no longer a passion that it is time to do something else.
Hoping to get back with him.
Stories on top of stories. He lives up this way, but a hour from where I live. He said he drove over to Gainesville to get a Covid19 Vaccine, because his county ran out of vaccines. After his shot, he thought the park would be a nice break before headed back home.
That is 2 old timers from Kip, and Mel era that I have ran into while hanging in this park! Lucky Me!!
Hoping to share more stories.
Jammin Jack
I hope you print this story...a lot of people knew this guy and he was a key figure in the Atocha, as well as 1715 Fleet operations.
===
Pretty hard to tell about the "bronze coin" and the "silver object" from the photo alone. The metal shows signs of what pewter plates looks like from the shipwreck. But if it is hollow on the back and is a cast metal then it may just be a pot metal ornamental piece. The old pewter will fall apart in a very similar way.
He also said.
I found this yesterday in dry sand but ended up being a prank. Someone playing a trick on their friend.
There was some confusion and yep..you guessed it. No hefty reward.
 |
| Prank Find. By Dan B. |
I was watching an old fellow detect along in front of the Wabasso walkway one day when there seemed to be not a single target and was tempted to throw out a coin or two myself. People do that sometimes.
---
Many detectorists spend a lot of time shooting the breeze between low tides or during the off season.
I received the following email from JamminJack and it just seemed to be the right time to pass it along.
Here it is...
I met a very interesting person in the state park where I have been fishing since covid.
Mike "Mad Dog" worked with Mel from day one. He would ventured out west for the other half of the year looking for gems, dinosaur bones, etc. He told me he missed the year Mel discovered the silver bars.
He was around during the time when I was stationed in Key West during early 80s. We knew Mel, Deo, and his kids; Kim, Kane, and Taffi. He knew all the divers, but one of the more popular characters was Pat Clyne. Pat used to do the dividends. Pat later wrote a book about some of the stories Mike and I talked about. A lot went on other then treasure hunting. (Pat passed away February 2020.)
Mike was friends with John Brandon and worked with him when John started on his own as a Salvager. They did a lot of operations together.
Mike was in Vietnam, and saw a lot of action. When he joined Mel the crew would call him Mad Dog. He was one of the few that would dive near the 500 pounders. They were mostly practice bombs, but still deadly. They covered a lot of the wrecks, including the 1733 wrecks. One story was when they found a slew of emeralds under one of those piles. Mike found one of the few known 1732 8 Reales. Because only a few were ever found there was controversy amongst numismatics. They would not acknowledge there were Pillar reales made earlier then 1733.
He told me after the passing of his wife, and living in the Keys for nearly 30 years, that he simply got exhausted of all the drama. We both agreed when it is no longer a passion that it is time to do something else.
Hoping to get back with him.
Stories on top of stories. He lives up this way, but a hour from where I live. He said he drove over to Gainesville to get a Covid19 Vaccine, because his county ran out of vaccines. After his shot, he thought the park would be a nice break before headed back home.
That is 2 old timers from Kip, and Mel era that I have ran into while hanging in this park! Lucky Me!!
Hoping to share more stories.
Jammin Jack
I hope you print this story...a lot of people knew this guy and he was a key figure in the Atocha, as well as 1715 Fleet operations.
===
 |
| Eagle on Polish American Social Club Sign. Submitted by Scott B. |
Thanks Scott!
---
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net