8/18/25 Report - Technology Used to Read Otherwise Unreadable Artifacts. 18th Century Litany Book. Nickel Values. Update: Erin Now Cat 5.

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

Source: See link below.

Archaeologists Say This Tiny Amulet Is the Oldest Evidence of Christianity Found North of the Alps

Discovered in central Germany, the 1,800-year-old silver artifact held a tiny scroll, which researchers have now deciphered using high-resolution scans... 

Researchers worked for years to recover the scroll’s contents, as the thin silver foil was too brittle to unfurl. Instead, researchers at the nearby Leibnez Center for Archaeology used high-resolution CT scanning.

“The challenge in the analysis was that the silver sheet was rolled, but after around 1,800 years, it was of course also creased and pressed,” says Ivan Calandra, head of the center’s imaging lab, in the statement. “Using CT [scanning], we were able to scan it at a very high resolution and create a 3D model.”...

Here is the link for more about that.

Archaeologists Say This Tiny Amulet Is the Oldest Evidence of Christianity Found North of the Alps

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Researchers uncovered the Lord’s Prayer on a corroded 16th-century cross using terahertz imaging, showing the power of non-destructive techniques for archaeology and preservation...

“Our approach enabled us to read a text that was hidden beneath corrosion, perhaps for hundreds of years,” ... “Clearly, approaches that access such information without damaging the object are of great interest to archaeologists.”

The cross, cut from a sheet of lead, was discovered in a burial plot at a medieval abbey in Remiremont, France... it is a type of funerary cross that dates to the Middle Ages and has been found at sites in France, Germany, and England.

“This type of cross typically bears inscriptions of prayers or information about the deceased,”...  “It is thought their purpose was to seek a person’s absolution from sin, facilitating their passage to heaven.”

Here is the link for more information about that.

Hidden Inscription on Early Modern Funerary Cross Revealed by Terahertz Imagin

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If you are interested in life and culture of Spanish colonial times, here is a digitized 18th century book of 37 produced in 1748 described as The litanies and prayers, in Latin and English recommended to be said in catholick families.

Here is the link.

The litanies and prayers, in Latin and English recommended to be said in catholick families. 1748 : Catholic Church : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Unfortunately, it isn't the best digitization, but you can read a lot of it..

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Old nickel values are benefiting from renewed collector demand. The different nickel series, plus the varieties within the major series are attracting interest. A step by step approach identifies the varieties, dates and mintmarks, and how to recognize condition...

From the early dates to silver nickels many dates and mint marks standout from the rest in value. Found every day, compare your coins to the value charts. One of the few coins worth searching through your pocket change...

Beginning with the top-grade Mint State; the following are descriptions of grades used to indicate condition. Greater detail to grading nickels is found on series pages.

Here is the link.

Discover Old Nickel Values

This article provides steps for grading your nickels of various ages and types and things to look for.

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Erin became a Cat 5 hurricane.  

Hurricane Erin lashes Caribbean with damaging wind as US faces life-threatening coastal conditions this week.

For more on that see Hurricane Erin continues lashing Caribbean with damaging winds, flooding rain | Fox Weather.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov.

Not only is Erin out there, but there is another system following on near the same track. Erin, which is first in line, seems to be keeping on the same track.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov.

It looks like Erin will be sending the Treasure Coast some nice high surf, up to eight feet, increasing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  

I like the size, but would like to see a longer duration, some more favorable winds, and some higher tides. 

Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net