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

[Ahab8]

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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[Davers]

Awesome Abe. If that's what 8% of the exposed ground gives up I cant wait to see what turns up there when you can cover more ground. Keep up the good work.

Awesome Spoons..
"Rat Tail" I believe & made of Pewter?

Just scrolling down the post right now , I have not been on Site in a while.
Maybe "A bigger Boat" & some Chain saws or even a bush Hog is in order.
but
Only abe8 knows just how rough the site is.
davers

 

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[Davers]

Love those spoons! Heck, I get excited when I find silverplated junkware(at least if it's older than me). Great hunt and the trip sounds like a blast!

I here Ya, & at-least we get the Scrap Brass/copper $ for them (if not in perfect Condition).

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Awesome Spoons..
"Rat Tail" I believe & made of Pewter?

Just scrolling down the post right now , I have not been on Site in a while.
Maybe "A bigger Boat" & some Chain saws or even a bush Hog is in order.
but
Only abe8 knows just how rough the site is.
davers

These are not rat tail spoons, and are not pewter. They are latten (copper-zinc alloy) and date to the early-to-mid 1600s. Rat tails came along about a 100 years later.

 

[Davers]

A worthy BANNER and a great story. Respect from across the pond!!

Do Y'all find those type Spoons Often "Across the Pond?".

 

[Davers]

These are not rat tail spoons, and are not pewter. They are latten (copper-zinc alloy) and date to the early-to-mid 1600s. Rat tails came along about a 100 years later.

Ahhhh..
Still learning , as I said 'I was reading down the Post's , It took awhile.' Learned a new Word "Latten" & a metal in use before Pewter. Not Rat Tail either , way less common I see.

These are awesome Relics/ Saves ,Buckle & Coin also , They predate anything in the Ground here (other than the Rocks) lol.

 

[Davers]

Abe8

Congratz, on the Banner..
Beautiful & historical Relics you got there, you def, put in the Work for them.
IMO Only other Hardcore Relic/Coin hunters can understand the sometimes 'Crazy, unhealthy, Ill-logical , Situations We put ourselves into ' for such pieces of history.

I can become an Obsession as others have said , I have that issue /personality type.
Hope your GF is an understanding one (sounds like she is) , Cause in those Argumentative times the Ladies can use your relic hunting time Spent as Ammo. Mine calls my Detector "My Mistress" ..lol

A little off point I know .. Oh well glad your OK, & Hopefully many more Relics can be saved from that Island For years to come.

Peace
Davers

 

[Ahab8]

Abe8

Congratz, on the Banner..
Beautiful & historical Relics you got there, you def, put in the Work for them.
IMO Only other Hardcore Relic/Coin hunters can understand the sometimes 'Crazy, unhealthy, Ill-logical , Situations We put ourselves into ' for such pieces of history.

I can become an Obsession as others have said , I have that issue /personality type.
Hope your GF is an understanding one (sounds like she is) , Cause in those Argumentative times the Ladies can use your relic hunting time Spent as Ammo. Mine calls my Detector "My Mistress" ..lol

A little off point I know .. Oh well glad your OK, & Hopefully many more Relics can be saved from that Island For years to come.

Peace
Davers

Thanks buddy. The lady and I have come to an understanding with the detecting

 

[Scrappy]

Congratulations for making banner again you putts! All you had to do was brave death, almost shipwreck on an island and hunt in an ogre infested barren island? Man, you had it easy. Now I held the 1600's door open for you so please, please, keep the banner door open for me.

Congrats ol pal

 

[Ahab8]

Congratulations for making banner again you putts! All you had to do was brave death, almost shipwreck on an island and hunt in an ogre infested barren island? Man, you had it easy. Now I held the 1600's door open for you so please, please, keep the banner door open for me.

Congrats ol pal

I'll be right here with my foot in the door bro. Dust off that T2 you might have a chance. Not sure that CTX is capable of finding old stuff lol. Jk bro thanks for the congrats

 

[70monte68]

Ahab, the spoons are amazing! How do you preserve them?

 

[Davers]

Thanks buddy. The lady and I have come to an understanding with the detecting

That my friend is a good thing.
Davers

 

[metalev4]

Wow Abe! They are incredibly rare to find intact, excellent recovery and obviously banner worthy. Hope you make it back out there soon, sounds like the potential is off the charts.
-Evan

 

[Rivers rat]

OOOOOO Boy beauties well done!!!!!!


RR

 

[Ahab8]

Thanks guys. I couldn't help thinking that a spoon that nice didn't have a makers mark....soooo I did some careful and very nerve wracking cleaning and sure enough found a mark. It's hard to see and I haven't been able to find a match. If anybody has any thoughts please chime in

 

[Erik in NJ]

How did you clean it? I have had very good success with Aluminum Jelly (not Naval Jelly) on pewter and silver plated spoons. I'm sure it would easily remove the rest of the crud on that spoon and inside the maker's mark.

 

[Ahab8]

How did you clean it? I have had very good success with Aluminum Jelly (not Naval Jelly) on pewter and silver plated spoons. I'm sure it would easily remove the rest of the crud on that spoon and inside the maker's mark.

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

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

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

Abe - be very careful with the jelly. Every once in a while it will totally dissolve silver gilt for some reason. If you try it at all I would only use a drop on a spot that wouldn't be noticed when displaying the spoon, but I would probably recommend not using it at all. It looks fine as is and no need taking any chances on a very rare piece like that.

I already mentioned to you offline that your spoon mark is very unusual and not like any I've seen personally or in any of the reference books. Usually it will consist of easily recognizable symbols and/or initials. I don't see either of those on yours. Since these spoons are rarely dug it'll probably be hard to find someone who has seen an example like this, but maybe you'll get lucky. I haven't given up either.

 

[Ahab8]

Abe - be very careful with the jelly. Every once in a while it will totally dissolve silver gilt for some reason. If you try it at all I would only use a drop on a spot that wouldn't be noticed when displaying the spoon, but I would probably recommend not using it at all. It looks fine as is and no need taking any chances on a very rare piece like that.

I already mentioned to you offline that your spoon mark is very unusual and not like any I've seen personally or in any of the reference books. Usually it will consist of easily recognizable symbols and/or initials. I don't see either of those on yours. Since these spoons are rarely dug it'll probably be hard to find someone who has seen an example like this, but maybe you'll get lucky. I haven't given up either.

Thanks buddy. I've experienced the jelly dissolving gilt and I would certainly hate to damage something that I most likely will never find again. If it wasn't sure an early and rare relic Id prob give it a shot but you are right and I'll likely leave as is. We both know that the chances of any Id is next to impossible. Thanks for the input buddy. You've been a big help as usual

 

[Bramblefind]

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

 

[gwdigger]

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

GOOD WORK. THATS IT METHINKS! THISTLE WW!

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