Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (More New Pics Added 12/14)

[armchairQB30]

Lets say you were walking along the Sebastian Inlet beaches with your metal detector and you found 68 coins about the size of a quarter but not round like a quarter and they were solid black. Before you cleaned them what would you think about them from the area you found them in? What years should they be? What should they look like? What would be the value of these coins? Where should they be from? Can you provide pics of uncleaned coins? Thank you very much.

 

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[divewrecks]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters

Lets say you were walking along the Sebastian Inlet beaches with your metal detector and you found 68 coins about the size of a quarter but not round like a quarter and they were solid black.

That is an area with a high concentration of both known and unknown wrecks. The area is known for treasure finds from the Spanish plate fleet of 1715. 68 coins in one very small area could possibly represent a survivor or contemporary salvor's private hoard. Or if spread over a slightly larger area it could be close to where a "spill" from the wreck occurred. If irregularly shaped they are likely hand cut spanish cobs. If they are the size of a quarter they are either undersize (worn) eight reale or four reale denomination. Black is the color of sulfide corrosion in the silver. Many coins have gone unnoticed in the past because they looked more like rocks than like a coin.

Before you cleaned them what would you think about them from the area you found them in?

I wouldn't tell a soul and would make sure that no one else saw me looking there until I was sure I got most of them. Also, I would recommend not cleaning them until someone looks at them. You could ruin the value of a coin cleaning it under certain circumstances.

What years should they be?

Most likely between 1650 and 1733 if they are cob coins. Earlier years are possible though.

What should they look like?

That can vary. Generally light to dark black, but many turn green if the silver has a high copper content.

What would be the value of these coins?

Totally dependent on condition and what the imprint shows. Dates, legends, mint and assayer marks all add to value. If hardly anything is visible (even after being properly conserved) values could be as little as $20. A fully dated 1715 fleet coin could easily be worth over $1000 on the other hand.

Where should they be from?

Mostly from Mexico City, Potosi (modern day Bolivia), and Lima.

Can you provide pics of uncleaned coins?

No, we are dying to see yours.

Thank you very much.

You are quite welcome. Now take some pictures!

Stan

 

[armchairQB30]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters

Thank you sir, that was an awesome post. Look for something next week.

 

[MORE AND BEYOND OSSY]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters

armchairQB30 Do have any Photos ?
P.s Stan you set a high standard on your posts
Sam

 

[divewrecks]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters

P.s Stan you set a high standard on your posts
Sam

Thanks for the encouragement Sam!

Stan

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters

Stan:
Awesome response!!
If there were a banner for posted responses I'd nominate yours as it first appears above.
Now I, too, await what we all hope for will be an awesome display of pics from ArmchairQB30.
Don....

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters

Lets say you were walking along the Sebastian Inlet beaches with your metal detector and you found 68 coins about the size of a quarter but not round like a quarter and they were solid black. Before you cleaned them what would you think about them from the area you found them in? What years should they be? What should they look like? What would be the value of these coins? Where should they be from? Can you provide pics of uncleaned coins? Thank you very much.

You must be describing an incident that might have occured before beach sand renourishment at Sebastian.

 

[armchairQB30]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters

Here you go!!

 

[Trez]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

It's a Mexican "wristwatch" .....

 

[armchairQB30]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

Trez,

What do you think about it? I was told it was clipped for paying for items. Can you identify it?

armchairQB30

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

To me, it looks like Mexico City 1711

 

[armchairQB30]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

Could you elaborate a little more, I dont know anything about cobs, is it a 8 reale?

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

What does it weigh? If 27.468 grams, you have a full weight 8-reales; lesser denomination are proportionately of lesser weight.
Don....

 

[divewrecks]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

8 reale, Mexico, typical of a 1715 Fleet coin. The most common date for 1715 Fleet 8 reale silver coins was 1714. Where are you seeing the "11" Don?

No this is a relatively common shape, I think you would find it is close to full weight. I'm betting right around 27g. I'm pretty certain no clipping has occurred on this one. It was probably never even circulated. Went straight in a coin sack from the mint, then put in one of the King's treasure chests for the voyage back to Spain. Great find! I left you my number a couple of weeks ago....

Stan

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

Stan:
I looked at the shield.
I believe 'Aragon' has one middle bar in 1711; 3 in 1715.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

Could you elaborate a little more, I dont know anything about cobs, is it a 8 reale?

Are you playing with us lol. You were just strolling on the beach with your MD and found 68 coins and you know nothing about them? LOL You need to weigh it or post it with something for size comparison. We would love to hear the whole story.

 

[divewrecks]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

Good call Don. If you are looking at the sketch of shields by Richards I think it is correct that it is not a 1714. It could be a 1713 though or possibly even a 1712. This after comparing and judging the similarities between each component of the design. I need to look at Craig's Florida collection book, and maybe some of my old Real Eight auction catalogs...Craig's book didn't turn up in a quick search. Needless to say that I have outgrown my filing system....

Stan

 

[ashleen]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

sheeeeeeeeeesh!
MY husband and I detected there a couple of weeks ago and found nothing but wax!
What's up with all the wax around Sebastian Inlet? Especially Avalon beach, I think.

 

[mad4wrecks]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

I think Avalon Beach is in the panhandle of Florida. Possibly you meant Aquarina beach?

 

[armchairQB30]

Re: Rookie Question For Sebastian Inlet Treasure Hunters (PICS ADDED TODAY)

I would appreciate an identification of the cob from you guys, I really just dont know what I have. I have been metal detecting for two years mainly on Seminole war forts in Central Florida. Honestly, I know nothing about this cob other than what I have read about the 1715 fleet. I would really appreciate a proper ID of it. Thank you guys very much.