5/18/24 Report - Fourth Century Roman Coin Found. Treasure Coast Canning Jars Finds: Atlas and Kerr.

 

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

Archaeologists carrying out a dig at a Roman site in Alderney have discovered an ancient gold coin.

The coin dates back to the late 4th Century when Valens was emperor, experts said.

The Romans came along after the Iron Age, with numerous examples of Roman pottery and human and animal bones from that era also unearthed.

States archaeologist Phil de Jersey said the coin was helpful in pinning down the date when the Romans occupied the site...

Here is the link for more about that.

Alderney dig unearths ancient Roman gold coin - BBC Website

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Atlas E-Z Sea; Mason Jar.

Canning jars have a unique place in treasure lore, and it is no wonder.  They were among the most available and practical containers for burying collections of coins.  They were a staple in many households during the first half of the 20th century and before, durable, resealable, and part of the year were sitting on shelves and in cupboards empty.

On the Treasure Coast can be found bottles and containers reflecting an earlier period of time.  Among the bottles I've found among the most common are liquor, medicine, household cleaners such as ammonia and Clorox, soda, and of course food and canning jars.  These containers reflect the changing times.  Glass containers, of course, are much less common today, and now we have the plastic plague.

The first canning jars emerged around 1809, when inventor John Landis Mason patented the Mason jar. His innovative design integrated a threaded screw top with a rubber seal to create an airtight container for food preservation. You would find this jar design vastly improved storage capabilities and extended the shelf life of preserved goods.

Over the years, other jar designs and innovations appeared, such as:The Lightning jar (invented by Henry William Putnam in 1882): This jar featured a bail-type wire closure and glass lid that secured with a metal clamp, providing a reliable seal.

The Atlas E-Z Seal jar was introduced around 1900.  These jars showcased a glass lid with a heavy wire bail that locked down on the outside of the jar. This design innovation effectively sealed the jar without the need for a separate cap or screw-on lid.

Ball jars (produced by the Ball Corporation in 1885): Recognized as one of the most popular canning jar brands, these containers were made from high-quality glass and featured a variety of designs and closure styles over time. ( Source: Antique Canning Jars (Identification & Value Guide) (valuableantiques.org))

In the case of canning jars, unlike bottle, the jar was the product.  They were bought for the canner to use, instead of being purchased for the product inside.  As a result, the embossing on the jar gives the name of the brand of the jar instead of the product.

Among canning jars found on the Treasure Coast, Ball is probably the most common, followed by others such as Atlas, Kerr, Presto, and Tropical.

At the top of this post is shown an exceptionally nice and clean older example of a blown Atlas bottle.  You can see some nice bubbles in the base.  Lacking the top and closure, the one below is more like the typical find.

Atlas E-Z Seal Jar.

This one is about the same age, but not in such nice condition.

"Atlas" was the brand of the company's most popular line of fruit jars for home canning.

Hazel Atlas Maker's Mark..

Not all Atlas jars show this mark.   The two above do not. 

My father packed jars in the Hazel Atlas plant around 1940 and when I see one of these, I always wonder if it one that he packed.  

Below is another Atlas jar.  This one is a Strong Shoulder Mason.

Atlas Strong Shoulder Jar.

The Atlas Strong Shoulder Mason jar, produced roughly between the 1920s and 1940s, is valued for its unique logo design. The logo showcases block letters that say “Atlas Strong Shoulder Mason.” The jar has a reinforced “strong shoulder” to prevent breakage when sealing, which highlights the technological advancements of the time..

Below is a Kerr Self Sealing Wide Mouth Mason jar, also a Treasure Coast find.

Kerr Self Sealing Wide Mouth Mason Jar.

Alexander H. Kerr apparently became involved with jars to supply the family packing business, Wadhams & Kerr Brothers. Initially, he became a jobber, acting as the go-between for his brothers and the glass industry. Kerr leased a glass factory in 1912 and began his own production, eventually specializing in fruit jars – although the jars remained popular with packers. The firm continued to grow until it was absorbed by the Altrista Corp. in 1996, although the brand remained visible under the new owner...

Source: KerrGlass.pdf (sha.org)

These Kerr jars are not as old as the Atlas jars shown above.

Kerr Self Sealing Mason Jar.

It is embossed KERR/ SELF SEALING/ TRADE MARK REG./ MASON.

This square Kerr jar isn't as old as the one above.  It has an "AHK" mark on the bottom.

Toulouse (1971:544) claimed the “AHK” mark has been used “since 1968” and almost certainly refers to the Armstrong Glass Co. takeover by Kerr in 1969 (Figure 14). Jones (1966:17) also showed the mark. Creswick (1987b:156) noted that the AHK trademark was 145 registered on April 26, 1949, but was first used on September 9, 1944.

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I'll get back to the topic of canning jars as it relates to caches some other time.

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Nothing encouraging for beach metal detecting in the predictions.  The wind is bringing hot air from the south.  The surf is small.  The tides aren't that great either.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net