5/30/26 Report - $40 Million Dollars of Gold Bars. Coin Find Identification. Blue Micromoon This Weekend.

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

Gray Indian River Morning.

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A former CIA official was arrested last week after FBI agents allegedly found $40 million worth of gold bars at his home...

Rush allegedly made several requests to the government to obtain large amounts of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses, the complaint says. Rush's employer at the time, which sources confirmed was the CIA, was not able to later locate the gold bars or determine their intended use.

When FBI agents searched his home on May 18, they found approximately 303 gold bars, in a value estimated to exceed $40 million, the complaint says. They also recovered $2 million in U.S. currency and 35 luxury watches...

Here is the link for the rest of that article.

Ex-CIA official arrested after $40M in gold bars allegedly found at his home

Rush worked for the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology, which develops high-tech tools for espionage missions, according to the Washington Post...

Here is that link

FBI arrests CIA official who snatched over $40 million in gold bars

DS&T’s expertise is not monolithic; it is a vast tapestry woven from threads of numerous scientific and engineering disciplines...

The article then goes on to list a long list of types of projects, the first of which is Advanced Sensors and Reconnaissance. I'll give you that one just to give the idea and then jump down to the end of the list.

Advanced Sensors and Reconnaissance

The ability to “see” and “hear” where traditional methods are impossible or too risky is paramount. DS&T has been a driving force behind the development of sophisticated sensor technologies, ranging from advanced imagery systems capable of penetrating darkness and camouflage to acoustic and electronic monitoring systems that can detect and decipher hidden signals...

I'll skip the long list, but here is the link if you are interested.

Exploring the CIA’s Science and Technology Directorate | Pillars of Expertise

We've talked about the remote viewing research and those were popular posts.

I look at metal detecting as being a matter of sensory extension and optimizing human performance, so the work of the agency shares a lot of interests beyond the remote viewing experiments.

Mr. Rush either was able to fool the agency to giving him millions of dollars of gold bars, but I'm sure there is a lot to that story we'll never hear.  

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The Treasure Beaches Report blogs are booming.  For some reason all the Pigeon Island posts have been receiving a lot of attention recently.  Maybe just because it is vacation time.  

Yesterday I posted some coin finds I thought were interesting.  Here is another.

See if you can ID this one.

Look at that little o over M at under the bottom of the wreath.  That is a familiar mint mark.

Here is the obverse of the same coin.

This coin is a bronze 1929 one centavo from the Mexico City Mint.  Nice condition for an older coin.

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Get set for a rare blue micro moon this weekend — a blue moon that’s also the most distant and smallest-looking full moon of the year.

A bonus: The brilliant star Antares will photobomb Sunday’s spectacle for a celestial three-for-one.

A blue moon occurs every two to three years when a second full moon squeezes into a single month. May 1 saw this month’s first full moon.

Since the moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle, the upcoming full moon will be farther from Earth than usual at a distance of 252,360 miles (406,135 kilometers), making it seem a bit smaller and dimmer. It’s the opposite of  when a full moon comes closer to us than normal. The most recent supermoon, for instance, was just 225,130 miles (362,312 kilometers) away...

Here is that link.

Blue micromoon: How to catch this rare celestial sight | AP News

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The Treasure Coast surf will be pretty flat until it picks up some Monday.

We've been having a slightly negative low tide in the afternoon.

Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

5/29/26 Report - The Coin Find Identification Game. One Reader's Very Small Find.

 

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

1832 Half Disme
Find and Photo by Al C.

Yesterday I mentioned that I liked small finds because it means you probably aren't missing much.   Al C. sent this find he made in Virginia this year.  That is a very small coin.  I don't think you can find a smaller U.S. coin.  It is only 15.5 mm. in diameter.  Below is the reverse of the same half disme (pronounced half deem). 

Reverse of Same Half Disme.

Even in just very good condition a Capped Bust Half Disme would probably be worth over $100. and in higher grades, of course much more.

Below is more information on 1832 half dismes.

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I was going to do something else today, but with Al's great find, decided to stay with coin finds.

Here is one.  Do you know what it is?

How about this one?

Here is the reverse of the first one.

Ok.  So it obvious now.  That one is a 1899 dime.

Here is the reverse of the other one.

So it is a 1938 French 50 centimes coin.  

And here is one more.

Let's see.  King George VI.  So what is it?

Here is the reverse.

Surprised?

It is a 1949 Hong Kong five cent piece.  Hong Kong has a complex monetary history and the story behind this one is quite complex too.

Issuer	Hong Kong (China)
King	George VI (1936-1952)
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1949-1950
Value	5 Cents (0.05 HKD)
Currency	Dollar (1863-date)
Composition	Nickel brass (79% copper, 20% zinc, 1% nickel)
Weight	2.5920 g
Diameter	16.5 mm
Thickness	1.5 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	31 December 1988

In the early 19th century, the British Empire sought to expand its trade with China particularly in tea.  However, the British faced a trade imbalance, leading to the illegal opium trade which sparked the First Opium war.  Following the war, the Treaty of Nanjing was signed in 1842, ceding Hong Kong Island to Britain.  The Second Opium War resulted in further territorial gains including the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories, which were leased to Britain for 99 years starting in 1898.

During World War II, Hone Kong was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945.  After the war, it returned to British control and saw a significant influx of refugees from mainland China, particularly during the Korean war and the Great Leap Forward.  This period marked Hong Kong's transformation from a trade-based economy to one focused on manufactureing and industry.

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Surf Chart from SurfGuru.com.

half
We'll have another dayy of calm surf. Good time for some shallow water hunting.

For the most part, I'd call those UFO siting unidentified dots. That's about it for me.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

5/28/26 - Report - Tune the Detectorist as Well as the Detector. Fossils and Fossilization of Shells.

 

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

 Small Partial Mammal Jaw Fossil Find.

You can find a lot of things on the beach.  You might be surprised by what can be found on our beaches. 

I've seen big sections of mammoth tusks on Treasure Coast beaches.  One weighed over 45 pounds.  Who would have thought?

Besides the tusks, one of the most surprising to me was a rhinoceros skull cap.  

Rhinoceros Skull Cap Fossil.

I just never thought of Florida as having rhinos.  I guess, the mammoths should have tipped me off.

Of course, not all Florida fossils are from big animals.  There are microfossils, which are hard to find.    Microfossils is too tedious for me. You have to dissolve fossil bearing clumps to find them, but you can pick them up if you recognize the right kind of material.

The fossil shown at the top of this post is a partial jaw with teeth from a small mammal.  I picked that picture out when I was looking through old find photos.  I thought the photo was a really nice.  The background could have been arranged more effectively, but the picture of the fossils itself is very nice. I especially like the coloring and detail.  The jaw is only about 3 cm. or 1.2 inches in length.  People from the University of Florida said it was kind of unusual for a beach find.  

I always like small finds.  Whether it is with a metal detector or not, I'm always glad to get the small finds because they present a little more of a challenge.  If you find the smalls, you probably aren't missing much.  The big finds are often easier.

Look at this conglomerated with all those embedded shells.  I really like it.  You can see a hundred or more individual shells on the surface.  The whole piece has been smoothed down.

If you spot fossils, you know that you are into some pretty old material.  Below you can see how silica is replacing the calcium.  It is very clear how the calcium is dissolving and being replaced by silica.

Seashell Showing Silicification.

Here is a smaller example.

Embedded Fossil Shell.

Turning over the same piece, you see a completely different picture.  Here is the other side.

Silica Crystals on Other Side of Same Shell

You'll often see that kind of silification often referred to as druzy.

You might remember Ruck's Pit — the original quarry site in Okeechobee, Florida, famous for its calcite crystal-lined fossil clams.  Ruck's Pit is no longer open for general commercial mining. The quarry closed permanently over a decade ago, and the property remains closed to the public, however, Pacific Geo Lab holds exclusive fossil and mineral rights to the site and offers limited, scheduled public digging events called the Ruck’s Pit Crystal Clam Festival. There are special, by-appointment digs that take place once or twice a year (typically in spring and fall).  I think the next one is scheduled for March of 2027.  You can find details at PacificGeoLab.com.

I started out today with a find photo that I especially liked and was going to talk about small fossils, but the discussion became more diverse.  I do have several general points I want to make before closing.

1.  There are a wide variety of types of treasure, and you can find many different types of treasure on the Treasure Coast.

2.  If you are metal detecting, you should still be alert for other types of treasure you might happen to see along the way.

3. Some of those other types of treasure, such as these fossils, might tell you something important that you should take notice of while detecting.  If you are seeing fossils, you know that some very old material has been somehow exposed.  

4. By reading and studying, you will be more aware of the other kinds of treasure and be prepared to spot them when you are on the beach.  I never liked the idea of passing up a type of treasure simply because I was not informed or prepared to recognize it.

5. You can "tune" yourself to different types of treasure. When you go out looking for coins, shells, bottles, or anything in particular, that kind of treasure will be on your mind. and you will be more alert and attuned to those types of items.  

6. There are times when you do not want to be focused on any one type of treasure, but there will be other times when you do want to focus in on one type of target.  

7. The tuning process takes place at different levels: sensory, perceptual and cognitive.  

When scouting a beach, you might want to be into an wide open sensory mode - open to everything in the environment, including the wind, surf, feel of the sand, etc.  When you are focused in on a specific target, it is a different state of mind and feeling.  During a hunt you might make adjustments and change from one mode to another.

Detectorists tend to pay a lot of attention to tuning their detector.  They pay a lot of attention to how well it works and how to best use it, but the detectorist is an also an instrument and, in my opinion, the more important part of the system.  The operator should be similarly aware of how he operates and any preparations and adjustments that should be made there.  I've always said that for success with detecting, the operator is the most important part of the system.  How the detector is used is as important or more important than the capabilities that are built into it.

Monitor your success and how you go about things and see if you can identify any adjustments that you should make.  Buying a new detector or trying new settings isn't all there is to treasure hunting and won't necessarily be the answer.

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Psalm 8:4 “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

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Surf Chart from SurfGuru.com.

The surf is kind of lazy this morning.  Nothing special in the forecast.

Hurricane season will be here soon.

There will be a negative low tide early this afternoon.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

5/27/26 Report - Gold: Why It Doesn't Tarnish. Bullion & Coins. Art, Technology and Currency.

Written by the Treasure Guide for the Exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report

Mounted Gold Coin Metal Detector Find.

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The performance of gold, and of course gold coins, has been spectacular in recent times. Gold is now settling back into a slightly more modest post-crisis trading range; however, the demand for collectible and rare gold coins continues to hold its own...

Bullion and intrinsic value-impacted coins took a recent hit based on good news regarding the potential end of the U.S. war with Iran, but gold as well as silver have once more stabilized. This has created a modestly lower trading range for coins that are not being appreciated due to their potential scarcity. Relatively available coins that have been certified in unusually high grades remain prized, their prices remaining strong...

Here is the link for the entire article.

Gold Cools, Rare Coins Don’t - Numismatic News

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Is it possible some states are seeing something the federal government is ignoring? Alaska has just joined a growing list of states where gold and silver currency is legal tender, as well as being exempt from sales tax.

In numismatic terms, what this means is that specie is once more acceptable as currency, running alongside our fiat money national system of base metal coins and paper money. Retail stores have the option but are not required to accept specie. Individual municipalities are prohibited from levying a sales tax on gold or silver specie purchases or from taxing it when specie is used as a currency.

Coin collectors and those individuals buying bullion coins need to be aware that a gold coin, as a collectible with a value above the intrinsic cost of the gold, will still be liable for taxes on any additional “collectible” value...

Here is that link.

More States Are Turning to Gold and Silver Currency - Numismatic News

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For a long time, gold’s ability to remain perfect – making it the most “noble” of all known metals – was put down to its unique chemical composition, but a new study suggests that its very atoms rearrange themselves to protect it from oxidation.

Beyond being a valuable, aesthetically pleasing resource, gold is playing an increasingly important role as a catalyst for engineering and nanoparticles, where it helps speed up chemical reactions. But gold’s ability to resist oxidation – the process by which metal becomes tarnished or rusts – also limits its usefulness in chemical manufacturing and energy applications.

This is because many industrial and energy-relevant reactions depend on metals that can temporarily oxidize and reduce again. Gold's exceptional resistance to oxidation means that it is reluctant to activate molecules such as oxygen that are essential for large-scale chemical transformations...

Here is the link for more about that.

Why Doesn't Gold Tarnish? The Answer May Be In The Way Its Atoms Are Arranged | IFLScience

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From Sedwick...

Only days away from this special event, Sedwick & Associates is delighted to invite you to the Latin American Coin & Art Expo 2026, taking place in Bogotá, Colombia, from June 3 to 6, 2026.

This international gathering will bring together collectors, dealers, museums, scholars, auction houses, and art specialists for four days of numismatics, culture, and exclusive experiences across some of Bogotá’s most prestigious venues, including the Bogotá Gun Club, Museo Botero, Casa de Moneda, and Lefebre Subastas.

The Expo is organized with the participation of Sedwick & Associates, Lefebre Subastas, Río de la Plata Compañía Numismática, Andrés Cortázar, and leading figures from the numismatic community in Latin America (see below).

Featured speakers include:

• Felipe Botero, Felipe Botero is the grandson of renowned Colombian master Fernando Botero, one of Latin America’s most influential artists. He has been involved in projects related to art, cultural heritage, and cultural outreach connected to his family’s legacy.

• Andrés Langebaek Rueda, is an economist and numismatist. He served as Vice President of ANIF and the Colombian Banking Association, and also gained international experience working with CAF in Venezuela.

• María Cecilia Ruiseco Gutiérrez, is a collector of Latin American art, cultural promoter, and founder of the AMCA Museum (Arte y Museo Casco Antiguo de Panamá) in Panama.

• Sigrid Castañeda, is a historian with a master’s degree in Art History. She currently serves as Head of Education and Public Services for the Art and Numismatic Collections of the Banco de la República.

• Daniel Sedwick, is a leading authority in Spanish colonial and shipwreck coinage, researcher, and author with 35+ years of experience, presenting Arce’s Doubloons, the first comprehensive die study of Bogotá gold cob doubloons of assayer Arce.

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Surf Chart from Surfguru.com.

Looks like an increased surf next week.

Fewer people on the beach this morning.

Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

5/26/26 Report - Hoard of Silver. Mystery Coin. Pharmacy Bottle Find. Knox Co. & Dram Mark.

 

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

In 2025, archaeologists... announced the discovery of not only the silver treasure, but also 34 buildings, a burial ground, and 1,450 total artifacts from the Late Iron Age about 500 to 1050 A.D., in Täby. But it’s the “unique buried silver treasure containing exclusive silver arm and neck rings, a silver amulet, pearls, and coin pendants”...

Located under a hollow block near an older home, the silver was found in a pot, with the stash containing silver necklaces and bracelets, a bag made of linen and silk, pearls, and a coin pendant. Hamilton said the fact that the fabric on the bag was preserved was unique and likely due to silver ions interacting with the textile...

The farm on a small hill close to a forest northeast of Stockholm featured about 1,300 farm-related artifacts and another 150 tied to the adjacent burial ground. The team discovered pottery made with domestic clay that resembled a style common on the other side of the Baltic Sea. Hamilton said this indicates the pieces were made by someone who came from outside the area...

Here is the link for the rest of the article.

They found a 1,000-year-old treasure buried underground—then they realized why it was left there

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Getting back to some of my old find photos, here is one.

Can you recognize it?  

I'm getting conflicting answers from AI.  Obviously a 1941 quarter, but Canadian?  

Maybe I'll have to go dig out the original coin so I can see the other side.

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I've found tons of the generic pharmacy bottles that were made for a pharmacy to affix their own paper labels.  They've been one of my most common type of bottle finds.  Of course, I'd much rather find a bottle with an embossed pharmacy name, but they aren't as common.

These generic bottles come in a variety of sizes, slightly different shapes or designs, and, of course, varying ages.

Although these bottles don't show the name of a particular pharmacy, they often have other marks that will help you narrow down the age.  This example, has a maker's mark on the botton, that is a "J" in a Keystone.  Here is the bottom.

Bottom of Same Pharmacy Bottle.

That mark indicates the maker is the Knox Glass Bottle Company, and more specifically, the "J" is for the Jackson, Mississippi factory, which operated 1932-1953.  Around 1952 all the Knox plants began using a "K" in a keystone. 

Here is a great link for more about the Knox glass company, which had numerous plants

untitled

Here is a mark embossed up around the shoulder of the bottle.

Mark on Bottle Indicating 6 Drams.

The first mark, which looks something like a "3" is the symbol for dram, a measure of volume.  A dram is 1/16 of an ounce (1.772 grams) for weight or 1/8 of a fluid ounce (≈3.70 ml) for liquid.  And the following symbols give the number of drams, in this case vi, or six, which is the total volume of the bottle.

The marks on both sides tell how much fluid is left in the bottle in drams.  I remember posting a small bottle with ii or two drams.

The dram was officially abandoned in the U.S. in 1971 when the country fully transitioned from the apothecaries’ system to the metric system for pharmaceutical measurements so they mark indicates a probable date for a bottle earlier than 1971.

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The surf is a little rough this morning as the surf is running two to three feet. 

We've had a rip current watch that has been so frequent, I've quit mentioning it.  It has been on for at least most of the past couple months.

Good hunting,

Treasureguide@comcast.net

5/25/26 Report - Memorial Day. Repatriating the War Dead: The Graves Registration Service.

 

Memorial Day 2026.

War Dead Being Repatriated after WWII.

An overlooked story of World War II and its consequences, the Graves Registration Service (GRS) worked tirelessly during the war to collect and identify the dead, providing proper burial. After the war, the GRS conducted the world’s largest search and recovery effort, leading to the identification of 280,000 fallen Americans, who were provided with a final burial in the United States or abroad based upon the surviving family’s wishes...

The postwar program was “the largest of its nature ever undertaken by any nation at any time,” leading to the recovery of over 280,000 remains that had been scattered around the world due to the war. The program led to the repatriation of around 172,000 sets of remains back to the United States, a scale unprecedented in history. The effort cost around $163.8 million and involved 13,000 military and civilian workers. The repatriation program was uniquely an American phenomenon, with efforts undertaken for the return of American war dead overseas dating back to the Spanish–American War of 1898. After World War I, remains were also repatriated or buried in permanent American cemeteries abroad based on the wishes of the next of kin. The WWII program “stands out as a unique example of America’s respect and appreciation for those who died to preserve the free way of life..

Here is the link for more about that.

The Graves Registration Service in World War II | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans

Every attempt was made to located, identify and return the bodies, even when the body parts were small and scattered.  It was not pleasant business but it was done.

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Memorial Day at Fort Pierce South Beach.

Well, they have a lot of sand.

The surf will be small all week, decreasing some as the week progresses.

In honor of those who died serving.

5/24/26 Report - D-Day Flag. Memorial Day Flag Etiquette. Spying Cars. Coins and Art Conference.

 

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

The USS Corry (DD-463) was a Gleaves-class destroyer, that was commissioned a week after Pearl Harbor, and was launched 28 July 1941 from Charleston Navy Yard. Prior to her involvement at the Normandy landings, Corry was one of the most seasoned ships in the Atlantic fleet, participating in the 1942 invasion of North Africa, and serving with the British home fleet supporting convoys to Russia. Lt. Garay was transferred to the USS Corry in March of 1943, having served previously aboard the USS Charrette (DD-581).

When night fell on 5 June 1944, the Corry began her initial assignment, slowly and laboriously escorting heavy ships and transports crossing the English Channel. As H-Hour approached, the ship was deployed to shell German defenses along Utah Beach in support of troop landings. Dawn had barely broken when the Corry began exchanging salvos with the heavily fortified German batteries. The destroyer moved closer to the beach in an attempt to eliminate the heaviest artillery battery on the shore...

Here is the link for more about that.

(#2188) [D-DAY]. FLAG FROM THE USS CORRY, LEAD DESTROYER AT UTAH BEACH ON D-DAY, RESCUED BY LT. PAUL GARAY, 6 JUNE 1944

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Unlike other periods of national mourning, Memorial Day features a distinct flag etiquette. According to official guidelines from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA), compliance requires adherence to a specific timeline:

Time	Flag Position	What it Symbolizes
Sunrise	Raise briskly to peak, then lower to Half-Staff	National mourning and collective grief for the fallen.
11:59 a.m.	Prepare for the transition.	The conclusion of the mourning period.
12 p.m. (Noon)	Raise briskly to Full-Staff	A celebration of the enduring legacy of those who served.
Sunset	Lower to peak momentarily, then lower completely.	Final respect at t

Here is the that link.

US Flags Ordered To Fly At Half-Staff in Every State - Newsweek

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For the first time, the worlds of art and numismatics come together in a high-level exhibition. For three days, the Bogotá Gun Club is transformed into a space where heritage and aesthetics converge with collecting and history.

Collectors, curators, academics, investors, and art lovers are invited to this unique event. It's not just another art fair: it's a dialogue between art and currency, memory and the market, with the content and international reach that the subject deserves.

Latin American Coin & Art Expo 2026 will mark a milestone in the region's cultural calendar, offering a curated experience with the highest standards of content, exclusivity and international projection.

For more about that, here is the link.

 https://latincoinart.com

Some coins seem much more artistic than others to me.  Should be an interesting conference. 

That reminds me of when I was invited to be the keynote speaker at a computer conference, the Primer Seminario Nacional de la Infomatica, at Antonio Narinio University in Columbia back in 1989.  The drug wars were hot and heavy then and I regretfully declined to go, but I sent a video presentation entitled Como debe ser la Instruccion programada por Computator.  I taught a lot of the classes for a Master's Degree in computer education for the group of educators from Colombian (one from Spain).  They came to the U.S. campus for the classes.  The same summer, I also had a class of educators from Norway. The Spanish and Norwegians were very different, but both groups were a lot of fun.  That was probably my most fun teaching experience.  I had the Spanish students for an entire program but the Norwegians only for a few days, so I got to know the Colombians very well and had a lot of fun with them despite the language challenges, which actually added to the fun.

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Speaking of spying cars...

By the 2020s, these telematics programs were becoming outdated. Vehicle internet-connected onboard computer systems now allowed automakers to more easily collect even more detailed driver behavior data—precise measurements of how fast you drive or how hard you hit the brakes or the accelerator pedal, among hundreds of other behaviors.

Automakers can use this data to understand how crashes happen and improve car safety features. But for them, collecting it also came to make sense from a business perspective. For example, at a 2023 industry conference in Detroit, a Hyundai executive said that customers who had the company's Bluelink app were more likely to spend money to get their cars repaired at Hyundai dealerships and stay loyal to the brand. “We have seen that our current connected customers, on average, spend a certain percentage more with our company,” said the executive...

Here is the link for more about that.

Stop Your Car From Collecting and Sharing Your Driving Data - Consumer Reports

That is only the beginning.

Trillions of miles of data: Your car is spying on you, and it's only just the beginning

When you pick up your new car and your salesman pushes connecting the infortainment system, the "free" radio service connection might include a lot more than you think.

Modern connected cars rely on a mix of wireless and wired systems:High-performance Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Near Field Communication (NFC), IEEE 802.11p (DSRC), and cellular networks. High-speed data connectors and EMI-shielded solutions for infotainment, ADAS, and EV systems. Communication with other vehicles, infrastructure, and the cloud for safety, traffic management, and mobility services.

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Melbourne Beach Web Cam Sunday Morning.

It looked like it was raining just ot the south of this beach.  Here is the link to the cam.

Melbourne Beach Surf Report and Melbourne Beach Surf Cam - Florida Surf Cams

Fort Pierce Area Surf Chart from Surfguru.com.

Not much new at the beaches.  There should be a few beachgoers this long weekend.

Views of the Beaches Report blogs have typically been wellover 20k daily these days.

Have a good Memorial Day weekend.

Treasureguide@comcast.net

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5/23/26 Report - Most Valuable Rubies. Researching Decanter Bottle Find. Shipwreck Map Hangup. Half-staffed.

 

Estrela de FURA Ruby.

Rubies have been prized for more than two thousand years and are among the rarest of all gemstones. Composed of corundum with trace amounts of chromium, rubies are second only to diamonds in hardness and are revered for their vivid red color. In ancient Sanskrit, they were known as Ratnaraj—the “King of Precious Stones”—a title reflecting their association with royalty, protection, and power.

In the modern market, the most valuable rubies are natural and unheated, with origin playing a critical role. Stones from Myanmar (Burma) and Mozambique command the strongest prices, particularly when paired with vivid, saturated red color and strong transparency. The term “pigeon’s blood” is used in the trade to describe rubies of exceptional color and quality... 

Here are the four most expensive ruby rings.

Estrela de FURA 55.22 carats, Mozambique origin, unheated, cushion cut $34.8M

Sunrise Ruby (Cartier) 25.59 carats, Burmese origin, pigeon’s blood, Cartier setting $30.9M

Ruby and Diamond Ring 24.70 carats, Burmese origin, pigeon’s blood, diamond surround $11.2M

Graff Ruby 8.62 carats, Burmese origin, pigeon’s blood, Graff provenance $9.0M

Here is the link for the rest of the article.

A Closer Look at the Top Four Most Expensive Ruby Rings | Jewelry | Sotheby’s

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Pressed Glass Decanter.

This decanter was found along the banks of a river.  It is about 9.5 inches tall and in perfect shape.  The top is perfect.  It isn't chipped, the bottle was made with an irregular ruffled edge around the lip.

Bottom of the Same Decanter.

The bottom of the decanter has the FEDERAL LAW FORBIDS SALE OR REUSE OF THIS BOTTLE along with a variety of other numbers.  The Federal Law message dates from 1935 to 1964.  One of the number is a "62" which could be the date.

Here is the maker's mark found in the center of the bottom.

MTC Maker's Mark on Bottom of Decanter.

That is a mark of the Thatcher Glass Mfg. Co.

Here is a link for more information on that company.

4-page_spread

That site will also help to decode some of the other numbers on the bottom of the decanter.  I might do that some time.

I just posted the decanter in my tgbottlebarn.blogspot.com site.

And here is a link to an article that tells how to tell the difference between pressed glass and cut glass.

https://www.libraryofvintagethings.com/2025/11/11/pressed-glass-vs-cut-glass-how-to-tell-the-difference/

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In my 5/16/26 post, I showed a good Florida shipwreck map.  Joe D. found the map still available online being sold by the original publisher.  He purchased a copy, which measures 20 X 28, and said he is going to frame and hang his copy.

I'm always glad when people are able to follow up on and use the information in my posts

Thanks for sharing Joe.

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Unlike other periods of national mourning, Memorial Day features a distinct flag etiquette. According to official guidelines from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), compliance requires adherence to a specific timeline:

• Sunrise to Midday: The flag must be flown at half-staff from sunrise until precisely noon.
• The Midday Transition: At noon, the flag is to be raised briskly to full-staff for the remainder of the daya
• The Symbolism: This shift marks the formal transition from mourning the fallen to honoring the enduring legacy of those who served.

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Clip from Stuart Rocks Beach Cam Saturday Morning.

Southeast winds and swells on the Treasure Coast this morning, with about a two foot surf.

The tides are moderate.

Remember on this Memorial Day weekend.

Treasureguide@comcast.net