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.

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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.

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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.

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Source: SurfGuru.com.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net