Suggested I post this here for help. 1715 wrech beach relic

[JC Florida]

Hi,
These photo's are of a heavily encrusted clump. (Really solid) the outcropping that looks like a coin (or Small container with a lid) it;s metal.
In fact I can't seem to locate any exposed metal although I get some strong hit's with my pinpointer is several area's of the clump. The overall lenght is just under 5" The (coin/container) looking outcrop is less than an inch long.

Any idea's on how to get to what's inside?

 

[smokeythecat]

Soak it in plain water, use a small tack hammer to chip at the edges. When you get it down some, do electrolysis.

 

[GatorBoy]

Does a magnet stick to it?
The first photo shows what looks to be clearly exposed metal there's even a lip on the rim of whatever the elbow shaped piece is.

 

[old man]

Looks like an old encrusted outdoor spigot

 

[GatorBoy]

It kinda does... But just for a moment let's figure there's something good in there there may be several things the last thing you want to do is have a hammer and chisel anywhere near it..... If nothing else put the entire object in a diluted acid water mixture.
Personally I would start with the coin looking object and wipe CLR on and around.. Wait till it stops fizzing then rub the loosened material away with my thumb and rinsing repeating that process as many times as necessary until I could id the object. If it is silver you could then use any type of silver cleaner to remove the tarnish and get a look at it even while it's still connected to the conglomerate

 

[JC Florida]

No magnet and the coin looking thing doesn't set of the MD pinpointer but I get other hits around the surface. Something metal is just below the encrustation at several points. I'm going to try the acid bath you suggested.
Thanks

 

[GatorBoy]

Good luck..and also..the heavy calcification can make a pinpointer pretty unreliable.
Non specific to say the least... Just from the color I could tell you there's metal content in almost that entire piece.. even if it is from corrosion.

 

[GatorBoy]

Forget about the pinpointer just look that is metal showing

 

[Red_desert]

I put encrusted coins once, in half white vinegar and water, fine silica like they once used to mix with plaster for on walls. I don't know if you can still find the silica, we had it left over from an older home of ours years ago. But I think the fine silica is better than using salt. I learned that from nugget hunters out west, the salt won't damage gold when you shake things up.

I put the encrusted coins and a gold tie tack end that was dug, the coins were clean but zinc cents which got parts eaten away by the acid. No, the gold tie tack clip wasn't damaged any and came out working fine with all the internal mineral material removed. The vinegar mixture cleans only by shaking after leave sit overnight.

Your object is probably too encrusted for the process though, you might need electrolysis.

 

[GatorBoy]

Just want to post at least one thing I've treated to show I've done this before.

 

[Bum Luck]

Nice!

 

[drfossil2]

Nice find. If you want to make some cash, I'd buy it from you as is, still in matrix.

 

[bay pirate]

I'd refer to BVI thread "does coral beep" and save yourself some stress

 

[tarpon192]

It was near something iron for a long time, and or it has iron in it. Looks interesting for sure.

 

[GatorBoy]

I think he figured this out on another thread.. For some reason I remember seeing pieces laid out on a paper towel... Maybe I'm wrong.
I found a heck of a piece of metal today.. I wasn't expecting to find an axe head..looks...oooold too

 

[bay pirate]

I think he figured this out on another thread.. For some reason I remember seeing pieces laid out on a paper towel... Maybe I'm wrong. I found a heck of a piece of metal today.. I wasn't expecting to find an axe head..looks...oooold too

damn it boy! Do show a picture

 

[GatorBoy]

Haha.

 

[bay pirate]

Nice, very nice

 

[GatorBoy]

Its in electrolysis now

 

[pvet7521]

Nice ax head, is it striated?