Brooch found in Monterey Ca.

[missoiula4me]

I found this lead brooch in a vacant lot that is near the wharf area in Monterey Ca. I do not think it has been searched before. It appears the pin-style clasp is broken off. Is there anyway of dating this item?

 

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[missoiula4me]

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Monterey has a very old history you could have something quite old but the salt air could give it a lot older appearance.Hard to say the age.

 

[coachbedford]

Where you found that is the epicenter of earliest California history--near the Monterey wharf the following took place: Spanish landed there in 1602 and permanently again in 1770; Spanish fort on the hillside above the bay where wharf is from 1792 through 1850s. In other words DEFINITELY worth keeping and studying

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

A question I have is how did you determine it is lead?Some silver, members have pulled from salt water have black encrusted look to it, that might be something other than lead.

 

[ARC]

Appears to have been in a fire.
A costume jewelry piece done in common style of 20's.-30's IMO.

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Appears to have been in a fire.
A costume jewelry piece done in common style of 20's.-30's IMO.

Good possibility as I know the spot the OP is talking of and there used to be a building there at one time in the past.Was down there this weekend found gold ring at a different spot.

 

[coachbedford]

If it really is lead it would have much more of a chance of being spanish or mexican era. Lead would be heavy enough to hurt if you threw it up in the air and it fell down on your head. Brass makes it more likely to be late 1800s to early 1900s costume jewelry-- and brass would be lightweight.

 

[missoiula4me]

I work in a jewelry store. The jeweler said it was mad of lead. It is fairly soft and pliable

 

[coachbedford]

lead can be fairly pliable, but it is somewhat weighty and more noticeably weighty than brass. I guess if you tossed it in the air on a windy day, would it flutter a bit before it finally landed? Or is it heavy enough that if you tossed it in the air, it would just sink directly to earth? If the latter, I would be more inclined to believe it's lead.

 

[sutphin]

THE COMPOSITION HERE FELLAS IS NOT IMPORTANT ... LOL ...DAMN THAT LINE SOUND GOOD SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LAWYER , NO THANK YOU . WHAT MATTERS IS THAT IS A NEET PEICE OF EARLY HISTORY AND LOOK AT THE DIAMONDS IN THAT BAD BOY . PLEASE DONT TAKE MY SARCASIM SERIOUS ...

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Nice find but don't think they are diamonds..

 

[coachbedford]

A neat find to be sure, BUT...I do believe the metal composition is important. Heavier lead -- to me-- makes it far likely that the piece could date 1700s or before.