Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
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| Mystery Find Shown OnA Ring Mandrel |
I posted photos of a mystery find a couple days ago. I received a few thoughts on it, but not many and nothing very specific. To get an idea of what the curve might fit, I put it on a ring mandrel. And, as you can see, the arc would fit about the same as that of a size eleven finger ring.
Photos often don't show curvature well, this is one technique. I previously showed a method of estimating the circumference of pbjects from bottom shards. See The Treasure Beaches Report Direct From Florida's Treasure Coast.: 12/29/13 Report 1715 Fleet Kang Hsi Porcelain, European Pot Shard & Native American Shard
If this object is broken, it looks like it would be broken just below where the number ten is on the mandrel. It might have had more notches running along the bottom edge of the object.
I originally thought the object looked very utilitarian, and I didn't think that it looked like something that would be gold plated despite the fact that 10 karat test acid did not affect the golden layer. If it is broken, the object might be longer and extend towards the smaller numbers on the mandrel.
When I started to post the photo shown above, a TV program showed some of the Peruvian Nasca lines, which allowed me to see the item as possibly some kind of abstract design rather than entirely utilitarian. Maybe it is gold plated, as the acid test seems to show. I'm now a little more open to the possibility of an aesthetic element or design.
When I first studied the object I thought it might fit on something like a gun barrel or fishing rod. I don't think that is what it is, especially with the gold-looking layer.
JamminJack mentioned a latch, and I can see that possibility, along with part of a hinge.
Still looking for thoughts on this one.
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Here are a couple of round finds judged to Native American artifacts. The small one definitely appears to be a discoidal. The other one I don't know about.
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| Two Views of Two Round Objects. |
Both were found in shell piles. The top one appears to be a rounded shell. One archaeologist thought it was being shaped and was perhaps incomplete.
Below are more example of discoidals.
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| Source: PeachStateArchaeologicalSeociety web site. |
Celtic tribes brought the concept to Western and Central Europe after obtaining it while serving as mercenaries in north Greece. Gold staters were minted in Gaul by Gallic chiefs modeled after those of Phillip II of Macedonia, which were brought back after serving in his armies, or those of Alexander and his successors. Some of these staters in the form of the Gallio-Belgic series were imported to Britain on a large scale. These went on to influence a range of staters produced in Britain.[9] British Gold staters generally weighed between 4.5 and 6.5 grams (0.16–0.23 oz).
Celtic staters were also minted in present-day Czech Republic and Poland. The conquests of Alexander extended Greek culture east, leading to the adoption of staters in Asia. Gold staters have also been found from the ancient region of Gandhara from the time of Kanishka.
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The Treasure Coast is getting some good high tides. Too bad there isn't more surf to go along with it.
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| Source: MagicSeaWeed.com. |
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net