Patriot Relics
Silver Member
- Feb 6, 2014
- 3,709
- 5,614
- 🥇 Banner finds
- 5
- Detector(s) used
- CTX-3030, Deus XP II
- Primary Interest:
- Relic Hunting
I have been metal detecting since 2013. This hobby can be an addicting one that presents ever increasing challenges to find new permissions as well the never ending pursuit of topping your last “best find”. While some chase the latest tech or shell out money for paid hunts, ultimately the only thing that matters is time spent swinging the coil. For any detectorist, finding a gold coin is a top dream…but for me my interests reside in early American colonial sites. While I would be thrilled to recovered a 19th century gold, I’ve always dreamed of finding a colonial gold coin.
While I have spent far more time swinging the CTX3030 on the coast due to its stability on the salt flat, the machine’s biggest drawback is portability. Now that the Deus 2 can handle salt water, its compact nature allows me to drag it along on trips with ease. Given I had a long layover scheduled in Charotte, I knew the timing was right to sneak back to the lowcountry for some dirt therapy. First stop was a tried and true permission that has been beaten to death over the years by my hunting buddies and I, but still yields a good 1812 or Civil War button now and then. I ran the machine in stock beach as I perfer the 24hz over 40hz max frequency to avoid small foil and lead with the 13x11 coil. A few tweaks to reactiveity and I was off swinging. First decent target rang up as a 55, nice little 1812 era US pewter cuff.
With the pressure of a skunked hunt off, I continued along bank until an crisp 83 stopped me in my tracks. My inital thought was musketball as 75 caliber’s ring in pretty consistantly 82-83 in these conditions. Not thinking much of it, I reached down, dug the plug and noticed an unfamiliar color peeking out from the pluff.
What followed was complete shock and disbelief. Staring back was a 1774 6400 Reis (4 Escudos equivilant) minted in Brazil in 1774 by the Portuguese. I steadied myself as to avoid scratching the surface and carefully rinsed away the sand and mud.
Over 10 years digging all matter of trash and countless hours spent researching and swinging culminating in one increadible find. This coin was minted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and predates the declaration of independence by 2 years. After 250 years in the ground, it still retains much of its original gold luster. Hard to imagine losing such a large and valuble coin as an early American colonist. As with anything in life, detecting has its highs and lows and I will be riding this high for a while. Now to set my sights on a new recovery goal…but what is better than an 18th century gold coin?
Happy hunting
www.patriotrelics.com
While I have spent far more time swinging the CTX3030 on the coast due to its stability on the salt flat, the machine’s biggest drawback is portability. Now that the Deus 2 can handle salt water, its compact nature allows me to drag it along on trips with ease. Given I had a long layover scheduled in Charotte, I knew the timing was right to sneak back to the lowcountry for some dirt therapy. First stop was a tried and true permission that has been beaten to death over the years by my hunting buddies and I, but still yields a good 1812 or Civil War button now and then. I ran the machine in stock beach as I perfer the 24hz over 40hz max frequency to avoid small foil and lead with the 13x11 coil. A few tweaks to reactiveity and I was off swinging. First decent target rang up as a 55, nice little 1812 era US pewter cuff.
With the pressure of a skunked hunt off, I continued along bank until an crisp 83 stopped me in my tracks. My inital thought was musketball as 75 caliber’s ring in pretty consistantly 82-83 in these conditions. Not thinking much of it, I reached down, dug the plug and noticed an unfamiliar color peeking out from the pluff.
What followed was complete shock and disbelief. Staring back was a 1774 6400 Reis (4 Escudos equivilant) minted in Brazil in 1774 by the Portuguese. I steadied myself as to avoid scratching the surface and carefully rinsed away the sand and mud.
Over 10 years digging all matter of trash and countless hours spent researching and swinging culminating in one increadible find. This coin was minted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and predates the declaration of independence by 2 years. After 250 years in the ground, it still retains much of its original gold luster. Hard to imagine losing such a large and valuble coin as an early American colonist. As with anything in life, detecting has its highs and lows and I will be riding this high for a while. Now to set my sights on a new recovery goal…but what is better than an 18th century gold coin?
Happy hunting
www.patriotrelics.com
Last edited:
Upvote
185
although it might be a while
