Equinox Finds Spanish Treasure!

[muttandjeeps]

Last week, my son and I went on another “Treasure Coast” trip, this time armed with our new Equinox 800’s.

Our last trip to St. Augustine had me finding the only “old coin”, an 8 Reale, that I was sure was authentic, but my 21 yo son had the opposite opinion. For the last 6 months, I have been hearing it from him about my “lead slug”.

Fast forward to last week. It’s about 11:30 pm on 3/27, and he comes up from behind me and tells me he found a “fake” coin, and jokingly accuses me of planting it, so he could have the heart attack/heart break of finding a worthless piece of junk… So, Sam pulls the “coin” out of his junk pouch so we can both give it a better look.

Upon inspection of the coin, its mint appearance gave the impression of a newly minted souvenir, but the coins details were so fine, and weight so heavy, we really did not know what to think. Back at the hotel we researched, compared pictures of actual coins, and did everything we could at 3 am to prove or disprove its origin.

The next morning we went to the West Bay Trading Company in Vero Beach to have the coin seen by folks who know much more than we do. The guys at West Bay were really helpful, determined that the gold content is just under 90%. 21 carat (by all records we found, 87.5 % was what the coin were supposed to be), Both Ron and Scott looked at the coin in disbelief of the condition, and determined that it was indeed genuine, and Scott, with his loop, discovered that the date was an over stamp 1787 over a 6.  We were advised to have the coin graded and slabbed, and that is where it sits now.

Needless to say, we had a great trip. The Equinox has proved to be a great, fast, deep machine. Small brass/bronze/copper bits at 8 to 12 inches ring up VERY loud and clear on the wet sand (Beach 2), leaving no doubt that you have a non-ferrous item under the coil. Yes, aluminum rings up as well, but as we all know, that is just the cost of doing business… Battery run time is all of 10 hours plus, the wireless headphones worked well, the backlight on its lowest setting is perfect, and the machine preformed very quietly in the dry sand, and even in the surf. Very happy with the Equinox!

[Earth sweeper]

Wow!! Nice find. Thanks for sharing. 

[Steve Herschbach]

Wow, absolutely stunning find! I would sure be curious to find out what it grades at if you care to share that at a later date. The main problem for your son is he could metal detect the rest of his life and never make a better find then that!  Congratulations!!

[IdahoPeg]

Incredible find! Was that up by that 18th Century ship's hull that washed ashore recently? I knew I should've taken a trip up the coast from Melbourne Beach lol! Congrats to your son!

[Dukester]

Wow, incredible find!

[Daniel Tn]

Holy snikeys!!  

[flakmagnet]

That is a rare and stunningly perfect 8 Escudo if indeed it is genuine, and it sure looks as though it is.

The find of a lifetime. Hearty congratulations!

[Guest Tnsharpshooter]

That baby looks like it was made yesterday.

A supposed inside joke turns out to be the real MCCoy. Lol

Totally amazing find.  With a great story behind.

I can just picture the 2 of you perusing the Internet with curiosity.  I would have too.

Congrats.

What detecting is all about.

Surprise!!

[Cabin Fever]

Unbelievable!  The condition is stunning!  Truly a beautiful find..

Congratulations!

[Skate]

The color and clarity of the coin just leaps off the screen. Like TNSS said, this is what metal detecting is all about. Pretty much ends the bucket list and at such a young age.