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WINNER #1
My U.S. favorite find for May 2017 is the Vellon Coin, minted in Saville Spain 1505, found by Raymond E. from Texas with his AT Pro.
Raymond’s story: It was not until my recent vacation in the Caribbean, that I felt my biggest thrill of my detecting career. I brought my AT Pro to hunt beaches where I had found a couple nice rings and local coins. I found myself deep in the country with a friend. We were visiting his family that lived on a street that translated to “The Ruin”. I asked one of his relatives how the street got the name. It turned out we were less than four blocks from the site of an old Monastery built in the late 1400s. If that wasn’t cool enough, it adjoined a historical fort built by Columbus’ brother on the second expedition to the new world. I got right to work seeking out permissions. I could not hunt either site, but both were adjoined by acres of banana and plantain groves. I hired a guide that worked in the area as a tour guide to secure permissions and guide what was now a full fledged expedition.
We hunted for hours in the on and off again rain. The mosquitoes were biting and we were all soaked and a bit tired. Most of the targets were trash related to generations of plantation workers. There were bottle caps everywhere. We worked our way over to what would have been the rear of the Monastery, maybe 50 yards from what was left of the Cathedral. It was now separated from the original property by a road. I literally had to clear areas with my foot before swinging my Pro. That’s when I came across a dry mountain stream bed. It was clear of any trash so I began hunting it. It was not five minutes before I got a clear high pitch tone that read a solid 81 on my display. My heart started beating fast as I began digging out the target aided by my Garrett Carrot pin pointer. When the copper coin popped out of the ground it took a few minutes to try to determine what I was holding. The guide said that’s one of the original coins used on the Island that the Spaniards brought. I was shaking from excitement. But the coin was still pretty dirty and difficult to make out. We could not find a date.
After a few hours we had sufficiently cleaned the coin and did our research. Sure enough, it was a coin minted in Saville Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella to facilitate trade in the new world! The coin was 512 years old and a very rare find! We found articles written on its history but could not find its actual value. It’s called a Vellon and was the first coin introduced in the new world. I am very grateful to have such a great hobby and to have had such a great adventure finding this coin! Thank you Garrett for the great detecting products and great inspiration from your museum!
Raymond E. WINS a Garrett Z-Lynk™ Wireless System!
Raymond’s story: It was not until my recent vacation in the Caribbean, that I felt my biggest thrill of my detecting career. I brought my AT Pro to hunt beaches where I had found a couple nice rings and local coins. I found myself deep in the country with a friend. We were visiting his family that lived on a street that translated to “The Ruin”. I asked one of his relatives how the street got the name. It turned out we were less than four blocks from the site of an old Monastery built in the late 1400s. If that wasn’t cool enough, it adjoined a historical fort built by Columbus’ brother on the second expedition to the new world. I got right to work seeking out permissions. I could not hunt either site, but both were adjoined by acres of banana and plantain groves. I hired a guide that worked in the area as a tour guide to secure permissions and guide what was now a full fledged expedition.
We hunted for hours in the on and off again rain. The mosquitoes were biting and we were all soaked and a bit tired. Most of the targets were trash related to generations of plantation workers. There were bottle caps everywhere. We worked our way over to what would have been the rear of the Monastery, maybe 50 yards from what was left of the Cathedral. It was now separated from the original property by a road. I literally had to clear areas with my foot before swinging my Pro. That’s when I came across a dry mountain stream bed. It was clear of any trash so I began hunting it. It was not five minutes before I got a clear high pitch tone that read a solid 81 on my display. My heart started beating fast as I began digging out the target aided by my Garrett Carrot pin pointer. When the copper coin popped out of the ground it took a few minutes to try to determine what I was holding. The guide said that’s one of the original coins used on the Island that the Spaniards brought. I was shaking from excitement. But the coin was still pretty dirty and difficult to make out. We could not find a date.
After a few hours we had sufficiently cleaned the coin and did our research. Sure enough, it was a coin minted in Saville Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella to facilitate trade in the new world! The coin was 512 years old and a very rare find! We found articles written on its history but could not find its actual value. It’s called a Vellon and was the first coin introduced in the new world. I am very grateful to have such a great hobby and to have had such a great adventure finding this coin! Thank you Garrett for the great detecting products and great inspiration from your museum!
Raymond E. WINS a Garrett Z-Lynk™ Wireless System!
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WINNER #2
My second U.S. favorite find for May 2017 is the World War 2 era “Victory” bracelet, found by Paul M. from North Carolina with his AT Pro.
Paul story: Hello Garrett! I have been digging for 2.5 years now with a AT Pro and recently found something unique. I have permission to detect on the property next to where I live. The house was built in 1878. I have found many interesting things under the grass but this one is unlike anything I have seen in person or on some of the many video offerings by other detectorists. The signal was a upper 60’s, low 70’s (settings are Pro Zero with 26 discrimination, max sensitivity) and 4-6 inches of depth. I pull out a chain with charms attached to it, not too different until I cleaned it up. That is when I noticed the flags and the “V”. One flag had me stumped for a while then I researched the Free France flag and noticed it had the same symbol as the one on the bracelet (#9). This bracelet is not silver or gold but it is a wonderful piece of history that has been rescued from the ground. I hope you find it as interesting as I do. Thanks!
Paul M. WINS a Garrett Z-Lynk™ Wireless System!
Paul story: Hello Garrett! I have been digging for 2.5 years now with a AT Pro and recently found something unique. I have permission to detect on the property next to where I live. The house was built in 1878. I have found many interesting things under the grass but this one is unlike anything I have seen in person or on some of the many video offerings by other detectorists. The signal was a upper 60’s, low 70’s (settings are Pro Zero with 26 discrimination, max sensitivity) and 4-6 inches of depth. I pull out a chain with charms attached to it, not too different until I cleaned it up. That is when I noticed the flags and the “V”. One flag had me stumped for a while then I researched the Free France flag and noticed it had the same symbol as the one on the bracelet (#9). This bracelet is not silver or gold but it is a wonderful piece of history that has been rescued from the ground. I hope you find it as interesting as I do. Thanks!
Paul M. WINS a Garrett Z-Lynk™ Wireless System!
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WINNER #3
My third U.S. favorite find for May 2017 is the 1776 British Musket Rifle Trigger Guard, found by Bryan R. from Florida with his AT Pro.
Bryan story: Let me start by saying, my best artifacts to hunt for are those of any type of military history. This relic here is by far the oldest and most unique piece I have ever found. While at a group hunt assisting a town’s historical society 1840s mill site, I came across this unexpected beauty. At first I honestly couldn’t figure it out right away and one of the group members mentioned it being a trigger guard. With the help of a few fellow detectorists I immediately began doing some research. What makes this trigger guard unique and identifiable is the “C.R.” stamp, which stands for the Colony of Rhode Island. Come to find out, this trigger guard was broken off of 1 out of the 2,000 British Land Pattern Musket Rifles that were assembled in Feb. of 1776 for the colony. I couldn’t grasp my mind around it, knowing that this piece dates back before the Declaration of Independence, but after a few confirmations from well experienced detectorists and my own research I realized it was true! What makes it even better is that it will now be displayed in the town museum and preserved for everyone to see. Couldn’t have done it without my Garrett AT Pro, been swinging it since I started with no plans on giving it up!
Bryan R. WINS a Garrett Z-Lynk™ Wireless System!
Bryan story: Let me start by saying, my best artifacts to hunt for are those of any type of military history. This relic here is by far the oldest and most unique piece I have ever found. While at a group hunt assisting a town’s historical society 1840s mill site, I came across this unexpected beauty. At first I honestly couldn’t figure it out right away and one of the group members mentioned it being a trigger guard. With the help of a few fellow detectorists I immediately began doing some research. What makes this trigger guard unique and identifiable is the “C.R.” stamp, which stands for the Colony of Rhode Island. Come to find out, this trigger guard was broken off of 1 out of the 2,000 British Land Pattern Musket Rifles that were assembled in Feb. of 1776 for the colony. I couldn’t grasp my mind around it, knowing that this piece dates back before the Declaration of Independence, but after a few confirmations from well experienced detectorists and my own research I realized it was true! What makes it even better is that it will now be displayed in the town museum and preserved for everyone to see. Couldn’t have done it without my Garrett AT Pro, been swinging it since I started with no plans on giving it up!
Bryan R. WINS a Garrett Z-Lynk™ Wireless System!
