Spaniards On The Larboard Bow!

[stupot]

In the late 1970's one of my favourite detecting spots as a boy was a quite remote beach. It was the start of my lifelong love with beachcombing. I have always been interested in wrecks & early shipping, collecting articles from National Geographic.

Coins from the 17th & 18th century turned up occasionally along with buckles & buttons as well as many later items. But it was not until sea defense work started  in the mid eighties that things began to change. It wasn't the digging which was minimal really, but the alteration of the sand levels due to a massive concrete sea wall. Tides began to scour the wall base and within a year, two feet had disappeared from the upper reaches exposing more of the old sea wall which could barely be seen.

Up to that time I was using a Whites Eagle SL90, I loved it. Wet sand required something different so a Surfmaster Pulse started a whole new chapter. At the back of the collapsed wall & in amongst it, were many interesting  older items. I discovered a quay long buried by sand now gone with numerous targets within just a spade or much less to the clay. I had already discovered three Spanish silver along with dozens of copper & silver coins from our King Charles II onwards and many artefacts.

The fateful day when I did the usual search amongst the fallen stonework  and moved out behind it picking up a decent signal non too deep. Out she came, I'd seen plenty in books before - but this was mine! I've had some spectacular finds over those years but that 2 Escudos to me, is certainly my finest coin. Philip IV, 1640's Bogota Mint with Pedro Ramas as moneyer, same variety of coin as from the Maravillas wreck. More appreciated in the USA than over here, except by me...

The big fat 8 Reales was found on another beach by a Whites Spectrum after a massive storm, (never forget that night!) a Potosi issue of 1699. Fourth photo other gold is a Portuguese Half Escudo of 1733. Last photo shows roundshot, dividers, syphilis syringes and a folding pocket sundial and compass.

I still occasionally go to that same beach fishing even though the whole area has now become very deep silt. Right time, right place.

 

[TheDeepseeker]

Awesome finds there stupot and a great write up 👍

[Bob S.]

I'll be eternally envious stupot... Those are some seriously fantastic finds! Metal detectors are just tools. It takes a special person behind them to do the research and take them to where good finds likely are.

[abenson]

Wow nice finds! Really glad you showed those on the forum.

[Tom_in_CA]

Great post and great pix.   Yes the Eagle II SL90 was a great machine for its time.   Not a super deep seeker, but in all other ways, a fun machine.

 

Question for you : I notice that you say you were already detecting England in the late 1970s.  So my question to you is : At that time , did you ever rub shoulders with British md'rs who, themselves, were the pioneers over there ?  In other words, when did md'ing take off as a hobby over there ? 

 

I know it was later than in the USA.   Where detectors were already showing up in the early 1960s, in some areas.  But if I understand it correctly, it didn't really take off in England till the later 1960s or early 1970s.   What say you ?

 

 

[stupot]

6 hours ago, Tom_in_CA said:

Great post and great pix.   Yes the Eagle II SL90 was a great machine for its time.   Not a super deep seeker, but in all other ways, a fun machine.

 

Question for you : I notice that you say you were already detecting England in the late 1970s.  So my question to you is : At that time , did you ever rub shoulders with British md'rs who, themselves, were the pioneers over there ?  In other words, when did md'ing take off as a hobby over there ? 

 

I know it was later than in the USA.   Where detectors were already showing up in the early 1960s, in some areas.  But if I understand it correctly, it didn't really take off in England till the later 1960s or early 1970s.   What say you ?

 

 

Well Tom, Detecting was in its infancy in the seventies. I never met anyone else at all in the first couple of years - except my Grandmother who had one & we detected together in those early days. Everyone I met called it a mine detector! But things came on quickly by 1980 a small local club began of 12 members.

Plenty of finds with basic machines. Still didn't have any problem finding stuff.

Just found a photo from that time, I was 13 around 1977 with my second detector (first a BFO) It was a C-Scope TR200 (uk job) I recall it was £56.

Happy simple days 🙂

[okara gold]

Great story and pictures. How the years go by and the incredible things you have found! I started in the early 70's with a BFO and haven't quit yet. Keep up the good work and thanks for showing some trophy finds!

[Ripcode]

Incredible finds! This is the kind of story that inspires me to keep seeking the treasures! 😊

[Fugio]

Great story and incredible finds! Keep at it and I hope you find more amazing coins and relics.