Can anyone tell me what this is? I found it on the beaches this week near Sebastian, Fl. Some other detectorists found some gold and silver coins also. This cross is about 1" long and seems to be pewter. There is a date on the back but I can't make it out. Could this be from the 1715 Fleet?
Spanish Cross?
- Thread starter JB
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #3
Hi Robert. Thank you for looking for me in your books if you get the chance. I found this piece half way to the dunes yet not quite in the black sand. 2 days it took me to find anything and miles of walking. I used an Exployer and had it set to 'Deep' which would pick up thin items such as this. Matter of fact I got a false reading after the initial reading and i moved on and something told me to go back and check it again. Finally the signal came back as a very faint one and I started digging and I must of moved some sand around it so it picked up a stronger signal once it was laying on its frontside. I am afraid I was a week late, as the beach looked like a mine field with all the holes from everyone digging. I just don't know where to start as to finding out more about its worth. I heard the State owns everything when you find it on their beaches. Not sure. Others say no, afraid to take it to McCarthys Museaum because of that. What do you hear?
Upvote
0
rgecy
Bronze Member
No the state doesn't own it on the beach, in the water yes! Not on the beach. Take it over to McClarty's and see what they say. They like to see peoples finds. I am not sure if the Fisher Museum would do anything or not, but it couldn't hurt. Do everything you can to find info on it. You have to establish it as a 1715 or other period artifact to gain any value.
What wreck were you working? Did I see you said you saw or heard of some gold coins being found?
Robert in SC
What wreck were you working? Did I see you said you saw or heard of some gold coins being found?
Robert in SC
Upvote
0
rgecy
Bronze Member
No, that wasn't me.
I was down there Thursday and Friday (9th and 10th) after Frances came through. So you were working Corrigans. I worked the beach near the dunes for 2 days. Saw some 8 reales pulled out, but no gold. When I was there the beach had a big hump between the dune line and the water. The water was coming over the hump and washing out on the backside. I think all the good stuff got washed out with this soft layer of sand and was just too deep when I was down there. How are things looking now? Is this the area people are starting to work more.
Robert
I was down there Thursday and Friday (9th and 10th) after Frances came through. So you were working Corrigans. I worked the beach near the dunes for 2 days. Saw some 8 reales pulled out, but no gold. When I was there the beach had a big hump between the dune line and the water. The water was coming over the hump and washing out on the backside. I think all the good stuff got washed out with this soft layer of sand and was just too deep when I was down there. How are things looking now? Is this the area people are starting to work more.
Robert
Upvote
0
rgecy
Bronze Member
Ok! Do you want the short version or the long version!
It is a Celtic cross! The design carved in the cross in known as "Knotwork" and was unique to different areas of the Celts. The celtic cross dates back to 2500 B.C. and the religion was slowly removed from European contries. However, the modified cross was adapted by Christian religions (can be seen in many Catholic influences) and would not have been uncommon to Spain (especially since there were some Celtic origins in Spain).
I would take it to someone who could date it better. It could be from an earlier period as well, but it could aslo be recent!
Its definately a good find.
Take it over to the fisher museum and see what they say. Don't be scared to talk to someone about it. Beach finds are all yours!
Good Luck,
Robert in SC
It is a Celtic cross! The design carved in the cross in known as "Knotwork" and was unique to different areas of the Celts. The celtic cross dates back to 2500 B.C. and the religion was slowly removed from European contries. However, the modified cross was adapted by Christian religions (can be seen in many Catholic influences) and would not have been uncommon to Spain (especially since there were some Celtic origins in Spain).
I would take it to someone who could date it better. It could be from an earlier period as well, but it could aslo be recent!
Its definately a good find.
Take it over to the fisher museum and see what they say. Don't be scared to talk to someone about it. Beach finds are all yours!
Good Luck,
Robert in SC
Upvote
0
treasure_lady
Sr. Member
What a great find! Hope you are able to date it and find out it's worth!
Upvote
0
MiddenMonster
Bronze Member
RGecy said:
Just curious, but how can a Celtic cross date to 2500 BC, which would pre-date the Roman empire and presumably crucifixion?
Upvote
0
So you will know, this design has been around a long time, and is still in use today.
The cross actually looks like silver after its been in salt water for a long time.
Just because it is a "Celtic Cross" by design does not mean that its old or came from the fleet wrecks, but it might have.
I've dug similar cross's on tourist beaches and know they are regular jewelry losses and not old.
The people at Mccartys Museom were real nice to me and my wife last year when we were there.
the Mel Fisher museum was closed due to storm damege.
Hope this helps.
Richard
The cross actually looks like silver after its been in salt water for a long time.
Just because it is a "Celtic Cross" by design does not mean that its old or came from the fleet wrecks, but it might have.
I've dug similar cross's on tourist beaches and know they are regular jewelry losses and not old.
The people at Mccartys Museom were real nice to me and my wife last year when we were there.
the Mel Fisher museum was closed due to storm damege.
Hope this helps.
Richard
Upvote
0
MiddenMonster
Bronze Member
RGecy said:
I've seen plenty of Celtic Crosses, but the older ones are formed closer to this shape:
Upvote
0
Jimi D Pirate
Sr. Member
Found this week? Funny that the exact same picture of this cross appeared on Weller's 1715fleet.com site several months back! Is it just me or do I just have a hook in me eye?
Upvote
0
rgecy
Bronze Member
MiddenMonster said:
MiddenMonster,
To your question, NO I am not.? Just the opposite!? The older crosses (2500BC)were symetrical or equal like the one you have shown.? The Celtic Cross that has the crucifix shape was adopted after the Crucifiction or Death of Jesus.? And probably not until sometime later 500-600AD.? I am sure both versions can be found from that period on.? (True Celtic Crosses like yours and the modified version adopted by Christians)
I am not an expert, just relaying info I have read on the Internet.
Robert in SC
Upvote
0
