4/30/25 Report - Old Sunk Boat Explored. Another Way That Coin Clusters Can Be Created. Researching Old Bricks.

 

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

The area, which is being dug up in order to build a new centre dedicated to biomedicine and biodiversity, has already yielded finds ranging from a Spanish civil war air-raid shelter to traces of the old market and of the city’s 18th-century history.

But earlier this month, archaeologists came across the ruined stern of a big vessel that may have sunk during a storm in the 15th or 16th centuries, when that part of Barcelona was still under the sea.

A large fragment of the boat, 10 metres long and three metres wide and crossed by more than 30 curved wooden ribs, has been uncovered at a depth of 5 metres below sea level.

Here is the link for more about that.

Archaeologists find wreck of large medieval boat in Barcelona | Archaeology | The Guardian

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You can find bricks like this on many old sites.  They can provide good clues for the detectorist.  

There are brick collectors and sites where you can research old bricks.

Here is one good link.

Brick Collecting .com

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Most of the coins that are found by detectorists have been lost in one way or another.  We seldom think of other reasons for coins being in the wild, but not all coins are abandoned by error or carelessness.  Of course some were buried, and those usually aren't difficult to identify because there is usually some kind of container.  But some coins are intentionally discarded.  In foreign tourist areas, lose change might be discarded because it will have little to no value back home and isn't worth fooling with in the airport.  But some coins are discarded because of superstition or traditions that result in many coins being found in small areas.  You will see evidence of that kind of thing many places.

No one knows the origins of this superstition exactly, but the idea of people leaving a monetary offering to spirits transiting through water likely began with concepts related to cleansing. It is believed the custom may have originated from Celtic mythology and is documented to go back to Roman-occupied Britain. UC Irvine researchers documented thousands of first-to-fifth-century coins thrown into a wishing well in Northumberland County, England, as an offering to Coventina, a goddess of wells and springs...  For more, see World Coin Clinic - How Wishing Wells Work - Numismatic News

The act of throwing coins into water is deeply rooted in symbolism. It represents a desire for good luck, prosperity, and the fulfillment of wishes. Different cultures have their own interpretations and beliefs surrounding this practice. For example, in ancient Rome, tossing coins into fountains was a way to show gratitude for clean water and seek divine blessings. In Japan, throwing coins into ponds or wells is not only a spiritual practice but also a way to contribute to the environment and the community. 

The symbolism of pennies and the act of throwing them into water reflect the universal longing for luck and fortune...  

Ultimately, the act of throwing coins into water is a powerful representation of our innate hope, faith, and belief in the unseen forces that shape our lives. It is a way for individuals to connect with something greater than themselves and express their deepest desires. This ancient practice continues to be a testament to the human spirit’s unwavering optimism and resilience...

In ancient Rome, coin tossing was not only seen as a way to seek good fortune but also as a gesture of thanksgiving. The Romans believed that tossing coins into fountains would appease the gods and show gratitude for the blessings received. This practice reflected their deep respect for water, which was essential for daily life...

Here is that link.

Is It Good Luck to Throw Away A Penny? Exploring Coin Beliefs

At DisneyWorld, virtually everybody of water holds coins from around the world. They are piled on the pilings where the boats depart from the transportation center and in the small streams of the model railroad layout by Germany in Epcot. There seems to be something about DisneyWorld that inspires the custom of throwing coins in water. Maybe it is the prominence of fantasy and wishing, or maybe it is just the large number of people, uselessness of a few pennies or the wealth of the population or carefree attitude inspired by the fantasy environment. Whatever the case, people throw tons of coins into the bodies of water. I can never pass such a pile of coins without my mind wondering about possilble methods of harvesting those coins.


I remember a swimming area in a park in South Florida that was drained yearly and the coins and jewelry was removed by a contracted detectorists. I can't remember the name of the park right now.

The Minneapolis Mall of America reportedly collects about $25,000 a year. The lake in front of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas receives about $12,000 in coins annually, and a 2016 report indicates the famed 18th-century Trevi Fountain in Rome accumulated about $1.5 million that year. A 2007 Fountain Money Mountain report claimed tourists globally tossed about $3.7 million into fountains annually... Source: World Coin Clinic - How Wishing Wells Work - Numismatic News

Some of the traditions explained by Copilot follows:  If you throw one coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome.  If you throw two coins, you will fall in love with an attractive Italian.  If you throw three coins, you will marry the person that you met.  In the past it was believed that the water from the fountain had mystical properties.  It was claimed that a maiden should lead her sweetheart to the fountain and give hi a cup of water to drink, then smash the cup to ensure his safe return to Rome and his devoted love forever.

The Celts and Germanic peoples are often cited in reference to the tradition of wishing wells. These two groups, who are closely linked in origin, thought such waters had mystical powers and believed them to be guarded by spirits. These spirits were said to reside at the source of the water. Speaking something aloud over the source made it come to pass, if the spirits were thus inclined. Therefore, it became common practice to beseech the blessing of the well’s divinity or spirit by offering something in return. Patrons would sacrifice coins and other valuables in hopes that the spirit would look upon them in favor and grant their wishes.  From The Ritual behind Wishing Wells: Buying Favors and Good Fortune | Ancient Origins

When thinking of places I'd like to metal detect, my mind always goes back to a small wooden bridge over a small stream between a swimming pool and the local drive inn theatre.  I doubt it is still there, but if it is, I would guess that more than a few cons were tossed into the stream there.  I can think of other similar places as well, such as the old covered bridges up north, where I'd imagine that more than a few cons were tossed into the water for good luck.  You might want to think about places that seem to invite people in a flight of hope or fantasy to intentionally toss their lose change.

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On a similar note of custom derived from superstition, my grandmother never gave the gift of a wallet without putting some money in it.

See Never Give a Wallet Without Money Inside, Part 2 – WalletBe

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Source: surfGuru.com.

The big news is another day of 3-foot high tides.  Unfortunately, the surf isn't high to go along with it, although it looks like there is a good chance of a higher surf in a week or so.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

4/29/25 Report - Notes and Memories on a Group of Old Metal Detector Finds From Back in the Day.

 

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

One Group of Metal Detecting Finds.

Here is another group of metal detecting finds.  As i recently mentioned, I'd take photos approximately every two to four weeks of my most recent finds before making a trip to the bank to put the gold or better items in a safe deposit box.  I ran into a group of those photos a few days ago.

I clearly remember making some of the finds, but, of course, not all of them.   Since the photos were made years ago, not all of them tick out in my memory, although the longer I ponder them, the more I remember.

This group of finds includes some made on a couple hunts in Minneapolis links.  I recognize, for example, the round Alcoholics Anonymous medallion bearing the Serenity Prayer.  It is the large round medallion near the bottom right of the photo.  Not being one of the valuable finds, I still remember where it came from.  It came from a Minneapolis area lake.  It bears an AA and the prayer reading “May God grant me the serenity to accept what I can’t change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  

I took the Aquanaut 1280 on that trip. I took that metal detector on a lot of trips. It packed nicely and had a nice hard case. So I'm not sure if I was using it as my primary metal detector at that time, but it could be.  I'm not sure, but the finds kind of look like it from the large number of big bulky rings.

The 1280 was far from my all-time favorite metal detector, but it was good for that time in my learning curve.  It was the only metal detector I ever sold.  

I always enjoyed hunting new locations when I was traveling for business.  The bad thing is that I could usually only sneak in only a little hunting time because of travel, meetings, etc.

I've told before how when I was first using that detector how I thought men lost a lot more rings than women.  It turned out, it just seemed that way because I was using a fair level of discrimination and was missing a lot of the smaller women's rings like those that often hold gemstones.  That all changed when I quit using discrimination and found out that women lose as many rings as men.  

I remember a couple fellows in the water at the lake told me of a chain they lost and asked me to look for it.  That detector, although I don't remember for sure how much discrimination I might have been using at the time, was not the best for finding gold chains, and I didn't find it.  At some point, I learned that using discrimination on that detector caused a lot of missed good targets.  As I recall, I found very little junk in that lake - much less than I would expect.

Besides the two big round pendants, I found a lot of silver in the lake, which included both silver coins and religious pendants.  You can see some of those silver religious pendants.  There were some very nice ones.  You can see some of them in the fourth column.  There is a very nice St. Christopher medal and a nice older Mary medallion.  I wondered why there were so many religious medallions in the lark.

Each site has its own type of finds, but you also have to take into account how you are hunting and what you might be missing.  You might think you are doing a good job because you might never find out what you missed.  I know a some people think they get it all.  Not me.  I usually figure there is more.  It becomes a matter of return on investment.  What is the cost of continuing past a particular point?  

You can often make a decent estimate of what kind of finds are likely to be found at a site.  At that early point in my metal detecting, my estimates probably were not always the best.   In the Minneapolis lakes there was more silver than gold and a lot of pendants relative to rings.  There was a fair number of older coins.

The Minneapolis lakes, unlike the Miami beaches, produced a smaller proportion of gold and a relatively small number of finger rings.  There are cultural differences between Minneapolis and Miami, and also practical difference.  Generally speaking, in a cold environment like Minneapolis, you aren't going to see a lot of gaudy gold.  Think about it, wearing gloves during the cold weather makes wearing big rings impractical.

Another difference is the freshwater lakes of Minneapolis produced silver that is uncorroded, whereas the silver fond on saltwater beaches is quickly corroded.  Silver coins from cold freshwater sources can often be easily identified by a pretty light gun metal blue patina.

But these finds are not all from Minneapolis.  There are finds from some other hunts included.  For example, I remember the Parthenon medallion came from a volleyball court on Miami Beach.  The group of finds were probably from a period of three of four weeks.

Silver Clad From Minnesota Lake 
and
Same Dime with Photo Lightened to Show Uncorroded Surface.

That dime is pretty typical of the U.S. silver coins found in the Minneapolis lake.  The bluish patina is actually pretty attractive.

I can tell that the finds were from an early period of my metal detecting also by the junkier finds included along with the better gold finds in the photo.  I quit including a lot of the less precious items in my photos as my metal detecting improved.  I guess these finds came from back in the 1980s if not earlier.  

One thing I should have done is kept better records, including dates and locations and other relevant details.  I've made that recommendation before and don't mind repeating it because I think it is so important.  You might go back to old finds and see the in a different light.  You'll learn how to better evaluate finds.  Some can be surprisingly difficult, like depletion guided unmarked items.

You can also see five class rings in this group of finds.  I don't remember where each of those came from but I am pretty sure none of those came from the lake.  Maybe if I looked at them more closely, some detail would remind me. One of the class rings is an older one from the 30s or 40s.  I'd have to look at it more closely.

The gold and onyx ring at the top left of the photo might be from Pensacola, but I'm not sure because that is a common type of ring and have found several similar ones.  If it is the one from Pensacola, it was found in shallow water behind the Holiday Inn at Gulf Breeze and was my first gold ring from Pensaccola, also found with the Aquanaut.

To sum it up, I once again recommend keeping good records of finds, including photos.  A lot of memories and stories are carried by old finds even after decades have elapsed.

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Did you hear about the monkey that was eaten because he thought the lion wanted his banana?  People often make the mistake of thinking that other people think like them.

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Source: Surfguru.com.

There are some nice high tides today.  That along with the slightly higher surf open some spots in the more vulnerable front beaches. 

Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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