Emerald Frog

[JKPK1]

Friend found this yesterday while beach hunting. Possible Spanish Fleet item?
PK

 

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[rjw4law]

Kermit says Ribbitt.....great find.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

The metal part was tested by a local jeweler and indicated 22k gold.

PK

What part is gold? What part is not metal? Is it plated?

The entire frog seems to be a plated, but worn away plating, metal.

The green portions under magnification almost seem "cut", and the little white specs, well, they are crystal looking and don't just fall or flake off.

Again, I just don't know.

PK

The little white specs I am almost positive are silica sand crystals. They are stuck to the item because it has been on the beach a few years. Just as sand and tiny shell fragments are stuck to the back.

Gold plating does not sound like an Aztec or Mayan frog. I would think they would be 22 karat pure gold but I am not positive. Its most likely some kind of plated modern pendant. It almost looks like pot metal but maybe its copper alloy because i see a lot of green on the back. I dont know what you mean by "cut" but maybe the green is patina but it looks like it was enameled green and remains in the low spots... Can we see something for size reference please. http://toby.library.ubc.ca/subjects/subjpage2.cfm?id=1217

 

[Spleenu]

That's a pretty cool and interesting find. One thing I noticed is that the specks in the green appear to be hexagonal in shape, as a lot of modern glitter is. Just my take on this. But I seriously hope that it is something very good.

 

[JKPK1]

The metal part was tested by a local jeweler and indicated 22k gold.

PK

What part is gold? What part is not metal? Is it plated?

The entire frog seems to be a plated, but worn away plating, metal.

The green portions under magnification almost seem "cut", and the little white specs, well, they are crystal looking and don't just fall or flake off.

Again, I just don't know.

PK

The little white specs I am almost positive are silica sand crystals. They are stuck to the item because it has been on the beach a few years. Just as sand and tiny shell fragments are stuck to the back.

Gold plating does not sound like an Aztec or Mayan frog. I would think they would be 22 karat pure gold but I am not positive. Its most likely some kind of plated modern jewelry. It almost looks like pot metal but maybe its copper alloy because i see a lot of green on the back. I dont know what you mean by "cut" but maybe the green is patina but it looks like it was enameled green and remains in the low spots... Can we see something for size reference please.

As for size reference, the piece overall is approximately the size of a quarter. When I mentioned "cut", under a magnifier, it seems to have definite straight cut lines, not rounded or abraded like a coating would have. The speculation is not of it being gold plated, but rather unpolished gold that was silver clad, may to seemingly reduce value and taxes.

As I mentioned, I don't know. In hand with no magnifier or location a first thought is cheap kids stuff. But the location found, test by a jeweler, and better look with magnification, plus comments by others that have seen it just add to where it really came from.

Again, I nor the owner know for certain, but are curious to find out.

Those wanting him to have 1715 find cross your fingers for him, those that doubt, let's hope your wrong.

Regardless, what a neat hobby, with a story for so many finds.

PK

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

JKPK1 dont worry too much about the ridicule and joking. You need to save everything found on those Treasure Beaches because you never know what it may be. If you really think it could be pre-Colombian, I would suggest to take it to the Sebastian museum and the curator will tell you.

There was another frog pendant found on those beaches but I cant find the old post. I dont know why TN search engine will not work for me.

 

[JKPK1]

JKPK1 dont worry too much about the ridicule and joking. You need to save everything found on those Treasure Beaches because you never know what it may be. If you really think it could be pre-Colombian, I would suggest to take it to the Sebastian museum and the curator will tell you.

There was another frog pendant found on those beaches but I cant find the old post.

Rest assured, there is not much worry here. The finder is enjoying his find and hoping it's legit, if not it's still fun.

The getting it evaluated part is planned, just takes time when it's a hobby.

PK

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Anything found on the beach is legit. It looks like pot metal in the pic but maybe its 22K gold plated clay or pottery of some kind. Just a wild guess. I cant imagine a 22K plated childs toy. The loop is also kinda chunky. Why are the eyes black? Can we see a next to a quarter pic to try and visualize this thing?

One thing I noticed is that the specks in the green appear to be hexagonal in shape, as a lot of modern glitter is. Just my take on this. But I seriously hope that it is something very good.

I notice that. It may be caused by the cameras reflection shining off the silica.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I cannot see how that could possibly be 22k gold...lacks the lustre or color of high karat gold. Not doubting the OP but do doubt the jeweller and his methods.

My thinking as well, 22K is almost pure gold, yet it completely lacks the color or luster of gold. The thing about gold is even after being underwater for hundreds of years, it still looks like gold, even with the encrustations.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I read back and I hadnt realized it was so small. Something of size reference really helps to visualize. You would think it if it was Mayan, it would be just made solid gold. Its even hollowed out on the backside. Did the jeweler test the base metal or the plating? The base metal does not look gold at all. I dont know. Maybe more pics will help.

Please keep us informed if you find out anything and get a second opinion on the gold plating/testing .

I just noticed the frog smile. I dont know LOL I wish I had it in hand.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Looking at the "emerald" portions, it appears to have been poured into the depressions. I can see where it appears to have dripped under between the feet.
The only places that I can see that could possibly be gold are under the eyes and under the chin. The rest is corroded. 22k gold doesnt corrode.

I figure the green stayed in the depressions because thats were its the thickest and thats where it would wear off last. The entire frog looks to have been green at one time. Maybe it IS sparkles. I thought it was silica sand.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Another thing to mention is that sand does not stick to gold over time like it does the other metals. I was rooting for it to be a 22k plated Mayan frog because of where you found it but I think the jeweler was mistaken.

 

[JKPK1]

Another thing to mention is that sand does not stick to gold over time like it does the other metals. I was rooting for it to be a 22k plated Mayan frog because of where you found it but I think the jeweler was mistaken.

The frog under good light and magnified almost seems to be silver plated over gold, as opposes to gold over silver or something else.

The owner carefully brushed away some of the material on the back surface and it sure has a golden look now.

While it may or may not be the real deal, the location found and if it is 22k as it was tested, just let the mystery build.

With luck more should be known in a few days.

PK

 

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Not to take away from one's find but I do not see how that frog is gold or old in anyway. Sand would not fuse on to an item that was near pure gold. I just don't see it! Sorry.
Nice find anyway.
Dave.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

But sand will indeed fuse on silver, if its silver coated gold as you say. We need another pic. This pic shows nothing at all resembling gold. The part thats holding my interest is where it was found, and that the experienced jeweler offered to pay for weight in 22 K gold. I belive it was illegal even in 1715 to smuggle New World Indian artifacts back to Spain. I dont remember for sure but read that somewhere. Maybe it was disguised. Or gold made into jewelry could avoid a higher tax.

Go to the museum Monday thru Friday or better yet call ahead to see if the curator is going to be there.. http://www.atocha1622.com/mclarty.htm

What you need to do right now is soak that thing in a cup of distilled water to help remove the salts in a slim chance that its something. I have buckets full of unidentified crusty objects still soaking in fresh water.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Someone emailed me that they may have found it. Too funny I had to post it. Please have a sense of humor. http://www.davinasteel.com/gallery/portfolio frog.jpg

 

[taybai]

Close:

One fully enameled, but looks solid, same large bale:

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Close:


One fully enameled, but looks solid, same large bale:

Yep same large bale.



Maybe the jeweler, who wants to buy it, just got caught up in the excitement of a possible Treasure Coast Mayan relic in his shop or he's a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

 

[taybai]

Too crusty and rusty to be gold.

To me it looks like a charm, maybe from the 60's or 70's? Whatcha think?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Too crusty and rusty to be gold.

To me it looks like a charm, maybe from the 60's or 70's? Whatcha think?

Thats exactly what it looks like but if its solid22K makes you wonder why the pic doesnt show it. We have to take him at his word (what the jeweler said) but I would like a second opinion.

Scroll down JKPK, to see some pre-Colombian gold frogs. http://wildwildaustralia.com/gold/cast.htm

 

[ivan salis]

looks like the geocache symbol frog or maybe the puerto rican symbol "frog" aka "coqui"