🥇 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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Topsham, Maine
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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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Upvote 72

Bill D. (VA)

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I knew it wouldn't take long to get those awesome pieces of early Maine history up on the banner. Those spoons and that buckle might not have the same eye appeal as a tree coin, but we both know they're just as historically significant. You definitely put yourself on a great spot as a result of your usual thorough research, persevered the arduous journey, and came out on top with those fascinating recoveries. My hat's off to you yet again my friend. Now go get that chainsaw sharpened for the return visit which I'm hoping will be soon.
 

treblehunter

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Ha congrats, just be careful, chainsaws, bees, cliffs, and boats all lead to one thing, more banners!
 

gwdigger

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Dec 3, 2006
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I had a feeling these would pull you out of witness protection lol
LMAO. I cannot wait to see what you find at this spot once you get back and begin cleaning it up. Easily could be another Mass silver there - or better. Maybe the NE coin you're looking for is hidden under the rubbish.
 

ANTIQUARIAN

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Apr 24, 2010
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Risking life and limb on this adventure was definitely worth the finds Abe! :notworthy:
Those types of 'field trips' make the finds even sweeter... and to make make it even better you found a crusty old Canadian LC! :laughing7:

Congratulations on doing your research and on BANNER #2 Abe, you certainly deserve it bud!
I was going to say good luck this weekend, but I don't think you need the encouragement. :thumbsup:
I'll toast a beer to you at the Sea Dog in Bangor when I'm there on Tuesday night! :occasion14:

Dave
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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Oct 15, 2013
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Thanks you everyone for the votes and nice comments. I cannot get out of bed I'm so sore this morning. Not sure why my good finds have to be so painful but if that's what it takes so be it. I wasn't sure how a couple of dirty old spoons would be received but it says a great deal about the Tnet community that you all recognized the historical signifigance of these. In reality these are likely much more rare than a Mass silver. Not as shiny or exciting to some as Bill said but you just never see these dug. Pretty darn psyched to have these join my tree coin in the secret Banner finds location.
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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Oct 15, 2013
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LMAO. I cannot wait to see what you find at this spot once you get back and begin cleaning it up. Easily could be another Mass silver there - or better. Maybe the NE coin you're looking for is hidden under the rubbish.

I could smell the Mass silver on this site. I couldn't quite tell if it was NE but it's out there :-)
 

Iron Patch

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I could smell the Mass silver on this site. I couldn't quite tell if it was NE but it's out there :-)


No question that's right in the zone. In fact, I think the odds of finding a tree coin there are about as good as finding Spanish at a late 18th century site. The vast majority of us will never find one simply because we don't have the age..... but when you do your odds no question increase by 100 times, maybe more.
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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Oct 15, 2013
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No question that's right in the zone. In fact, I think the odds of finding a tree coin there are about as good as finding Spanish at a late 18th century site. The vast majority of us will never find one simply because we don't have the age..... but when you do your odds no question increase by 100 times, maybe more.

I agree 100% bud. The bottom line is that there's not a whole lot of spots old enough to find one. But when you do have one of these spots there's likely at least a Mass silver or two in the dirt. The big question is if you can get it out of the ground
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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Oct 15, 2013
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Risking life and limb on this adventure was definitely worth the finds Abe! :notworthy:
Those types of 'field trips' make the finds even sweeter... and to make make it even better you found a crusty old Canadian LC! :laughing7:

Congratulations on doing your research and on BANNER #2 Abe, you certainly deserve it bud!
I was going to say good luck this weekend, but I don't think you need the encouragement. :thumbsup:
I'll toast a beer to you at the Sea Dog in Bangor when I'm there on Tuesday night! :occasion14:

Dave

Lol thanks Dave. Toast 8 of them for me bud :occasion14:
 

Iron Patch

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I agree 100% bud. The bottom line is that there's not a whole lot of spots old enough to find one. But when you do have one of these spots there's likely at least a Mass silver or two in the dirt. The big question is if you can get it out of the ground


Yeah horizontal trees are obstructing your round trees. :happysmiley:
 

Bill D. (VA)

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When are we going to see that video of that little boat ride?? Sounded almost like it was Gilligan's Island revisited:laughing7:. But I'm sure is wasn't funny in the moment.
 

CoinandRelicMan

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Congrats on the Banner Ahab8 !! :occasion14:Had to read through to find out more on those spoons, thats one crazy boat ride to get there it sounds like ! Guess the ride back had better seas for travel or did they? You said you were sore. I've found one narrow spoon type in fragments handle out here that appeared to have carved stuff on top, thought it was earlier than the other stuff but doubt it was even close to being as early as yours.
 

cjon455

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Congrats on another well deserved banner abe!
Couldn't have happened to a more deserving
guy after risking life and limb to get those!!!
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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When are we going to see that video of that little boat ride?? Sounded almost like it was Gilligan's Island revisited:laughing7:. But I'm sure is wasn't funny in the moment.

I admittedly would have to edit a bit of the language first. The captain of the boat is a fisherman and they have trouble not using effin in front of every other word. It was ok at that point but about 10 minutes later it was white knuckles and very wide eyes. And no swearing. No words at all. Maybe a couple of quick prayers to Poseidon and me thinking that I was going to get 2 people killed because I'm so obsessed with 1600s treasure lol
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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Congrats on the Banner Ahab8 !! :occasion14:Had to read through to find out more on those spoons, thats one crazy boat ride to get there it sounds like ! Guess the ride back had better seas for travel or did they? You said you were sore. I've found one narrow spoon type in fragments handle out here that appeared to have carved stuff on top, thought it was earlier than the other stuff but doubt it was even close to being as early as yours.


Thanks CARM. The trip back was much much calmer. If it hadn't been I would have slept at that site
 

huntsman53

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Congrats Ahab on some awesome and rare finds and a well deserved Banner! Next time you go there, make sure you take a chainsaw as others have recommended and also take a Log Roller/Lifter to move the cut logs out of the way. Also, don't forget to metal detect the uprooted roots and in and around the root holes as many items were lost or buried at the base of trees.


Frank
 

Iron Patch

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This might work.
 

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Ahab8

Ahab8

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Oct 15, 2013
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Topsham, Maine
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