🥇 BANNER Rare 1600s Latten Spoons, Georgian Shoe Buckle, 1797 LC, My Best Relics Ever

Ahab8

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Oct 15, 2013
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Today was a crazy day. I've been making plans to get to an incredibly early site for months now. But it's a very tough place to get to and several factors have to be considered including tides, wind, boat size, and peoples schedules. Today everything lined up with the exception of the wind. It was blowing pretty darned hard but I had my mind made up. The big problem is that you need a fairly small boat to get to this location but you've got to go across mikes of open ocean....very nasty and unpredictable ocean. Small boat and open ocean is a recipe for disaster and that's almost what happened. We left the wharf around 5 am and quickly realized that it was very rough out there. But me being me and having a strong desire to get there we pressed on. The waves suddenly got big and started to break over the bow. The boat was going straight up and slamming down. I thought we were done for....all for some treasure lol. We managed to navigate to an island that was close by and seek shelter. We stayed tucked behind the island for about an hour and a half. Suddenly the sky turned blue and the wind began dying down. I had already given up all hope of getting to my dream site and then suddenly we were able to get back on course. A few miles later and we arrived safely.
This particular spot has been hit with some terrible storms and the trees were payed down everywhere. A crisscrossed and tangled up mess. I almost just left because I saw no way of detecting in that mess. But after the effort to get there I figured we'd give it a shot. It was tough just walking and maybe 8% of the ground was huntable. I quickly found a couple of buttons and a copper coin. Eventually I got to what I thought was a very early homes site. I got a very very deep high tone and eventually got my fingers on an object. I could feel that it was a spoon bowl and was shocked when I pulled it out. An incredible complete 17th century Latten spoon. Likely mid 1600s. I think I've maybe seen one of these dug and it was my good pal Bill D. I was elated and super happy. A few minutes later I got a similar signal and dug another super deep hole. Out came another complete spoon even nicer than the first. Complete and with whati believe is a strawberry or pineapple knop. Amazing!
I unfortunately didn't have much time to hunt by the time I got out there and had to leave soon. On the way out I dug a really cool Georgian shoe buckle. I also found a destroyed matron head and an 1876 Canadian cent in very rough shape. Last night I dug a KG and a nice 1797 LC.
On the drive home I called George(Vino) and told him I was so psyched about the spoons. He didn't sound too impressed lol. So when I got home I texted him some pics and my phone rang instantly. He was blown away at the pics. I also contacted Bill D and he was really happy for me. I love having buddy's to share this stuff with. My gf wasn't too thrilled about 2 dirty old spoons lol.
I know some people won't think much of these spoons but I cant begin to explain how incredibly happy I am to have found these amazing 17th century relics. Behind the tree coin these are my favorite finds ever. Thanks for looking and listening to my rambling guys.
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Ahab8

Ahab8

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Could the mark be upside down in the photo and be a thistle? I found references to a mark with the letters W.W. flanking a thistle on spoons like this. Unfortunately it seems to be unattributed - at least in the references I found.

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/569060

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Contributions From the Museum of History and Technology Papers 52-54 On Archeology, by Smithsonian Institution.

https://books.google.com/books?id=o...QWvhoLgBg&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Wow thanks you nailed it. I thought their was little chance of finding it. You guys are great. I love my Tnet buddy's
 

gwdigger

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I wanna see some of those early rosette buckles come outta this spot. Or the fleur de lis style.
 

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Erik in NJ

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There is another product you might want to consider if it's pine tar--it's called Un-Du and it's my favorite adhesive remover. It's so gentle it can be used on photographs without damaging them, leaves no residue, and removes adhesive as well or better than any other product. Not the easiest product to find, but if you Google it you'll find someone who sells it. I think I last found it at Joanne's Fabrics. Like the Aluminum Jelly you can try it on a small spot, but if it doesn't damage photos I can't see it doing anything to a latten spoon. It's a great product just to have around.

Eric I just used s drop of dish soap and a tiny bit of water. This black stuff is from old pine trees. On the coast here in Maine they often leave this very sticky tar like crap that is very difficult to remove. I will try the aluminum jelly on a small section. Their seems to be a decent amount of tinning left. Thanks for the advice
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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I wanna see some of those early rosette buckles come outta this spot. Or the fleur de lis style.

Anything for you my friend 8-)
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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There is another product you might want to consider if it's pine tar--it's called Un-Du and it's my favorite adhesive remover. It's so gentle it can be used on photographs without damaging them, leaves no residue, and removes adhesive as well or better than any other product. Not the easiest product to find, but if you Google it you'll find someone who sells it. I think I last found it at Joanne's Fabrics. Like the Aluminum Jelly you can try it on a small spot, but if it doesn't damage photos I can't see it doing anything to a latten spoon. It's a great product just to have around.
Eric I really appreciate the tips buddy. I will check into that for sure
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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If you found those rare spoons in the small hunt-able area these kinds of spur and spectacle buckles should easily come up somewhere on that property. :occasion14:

And the NE Shilling lol
 

Darby

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Very very cool finds! Love that buckle. Congrats on tge finds and on making banner!
 

Bill D. (VA)

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I agree this is the mark on Abe's spoon, but the one shown at the link is of a different and later style. You can tell from the pic that it's much narrower that Abe's. His definitely is earlier than the 1670-1720 shown for this specimen. I'd say more like early-to-mid 1600s although it could be even earlier than that.
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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I agree this is the mark on Abe's spoon, but the one shown at the link is of a different and later style. You can tell from the pic that it's much narrower that Abe's. His definitely is earlier than the 1670-1720 shown for this specimen. I'd say more like early-to-mid 1600s although it could be even earlier than that.

Bill I agree and as you told me we will never know a whole lot of specifics. The shape of the bowls on mine leads to to believe that they are absolutely pre 1660 and could be quite a bit earlier than that. This site had settlement that stretched into the early 1600s so anything is possible. Thanks for all of the input guys. I appreciate it. Now I'm going to go look for that tree coin and retire these spoons to the "secret spot" with a tree coin and cob. That NE Shilling will look great snuggled in with the other 17th century finds :headbang:
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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This type of seal top spoon was very common in England...
from the mid to late sixteenth century through the time of Charles II...
And examples have been found in London with this type of mark...
It is more common mark that is found more on latten than pewter spoons...
No EXACT maker has been identified with this mark as far as I know.

Oh I didn't realize that it was it bud. Looks like you are a lot smarter than me cause I didn't even know it had a mark until last night lol. Thanks for the info man. The mystery deepens. Time for some Mass silver
 

Bill D. (VA)

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This type of seal top spoon was very common in England...
from the mid to late sixteenth century through the time of Charles II...
And examples have been found in London with this type of mark...
It is more common mark that is found more on latten than pewter spoons...
No EXACT maker has been identified with this mark as far as I know.

Interesting info, but Abe's is not a seal top spoon. They are a totally different variety and probably not as old as the "strawberry knop" example he found. Here's what a seal top spoon looks like:

seal top spoon example.jpg
 

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ARC

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ANTIQUARIAN

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Just got back to my hotel from the Sea Dog here in Bangor Abe! :occasion14:

Finally bought myself a t-shirt when I was there... love the Raspberry Ale, think having 5 was too many? :icon_scratch:

Flying outta here at 5:50am tomorrow morning, hope you're having a good week bud.

Dave
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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Just got back to my hotel from the Sea Dog here in Bangor Abe! :occasion14:

Finally bought myself a t-shirt when I was there... love the Raspberry Ale, think having 5 was too many? :icon_scratch:

Flying outta here at 5:50am tomorrow morning, hope you're having a good week bud.

Dave

I think 5 is about 3 too few lol. Glad you're enjoying your Sea Dog visit buddy. I'm sure you saw lots of my old buddies on a Thursday night. Thanks for all the nice comments Dave. You're a class act
 

Zodiacdiverdave

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Hey Abe, sorry I'm late for the party but congrats on some spectacular finds and for making Banner again. Those spoons really do belong up there. Good luck on your future hunts in that area, and I agree that you could find some Mass silver out there.
ZDD
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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Hey Abe, sorry I'm late for the party but congrats on some spectacular finds and for making Banner again. Those spoons really do belong up there. Good luck on your future hunts in that area, and I agree that you could find some Mass silver out there.
ZDD

Thanks Dave. I can't wait to get back out there and see if I can find Mass silver #2. That would make this site a real dream site
 

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