Today's finds and realization

[MinelabMan]

The day started early for me, up at 4:00am to my wife's alarm. It was 20 degrees when I left home to meet CanUDigIt at a local diner for breakfast that some filming for The Lovely Bones was done, then to the park.

Today we realized how strange this park really is. The first time we hunted there, we didn't find much all morning, it wasn't until afternoon that CanUDigIt found the Barber and I found the coppers. Very little trash and no newer coins.

Today we planned to hunt the wooded area where the roller coaster and a house were. As you'll see from the pictures, the park is pretty much all hill. As we walked up behind this pavilion,


you can see 2 looming towers through the trees.


Reaching the peak are a couple of new sports fields and a full view of the towers.

We hunted the wooded area for a few hours without good hits but I did notice that at the top I saw several old style pull tabs laying on top of the ground which seemed odd. Didn't find anything at all except a H K Co tag #578.

Continued hunting a while and it seemed to be warming up so we took a break for some snacks and decided to hunt the grassy areas again. Shortly, not to far from where I found the coppers last time, I found a 1995 clad quarter (first clad found at this park) continued along and found the Reale (I never found one of these before, but have seen them and was kinda thinking that this is what is was) jumping forward a bit, Mr. Research (CanUDigIt) called me on my way home and confirmed that it was indeed a 8 Reale and I had an email from him waiting for me when I got home with links to identical coins (of course in better condition).



Shortly before we quit I uncovered what looked like 2 clothespins on a chain, first thought was that it was for some kind of clock. Well CanUDigIt had an idea that it was some type of clip that men used to use to hold their vests somehow. I don't remember ever seeing that before. Got it home and cleaned it up and saw that each "clothespin" was marked sterling. My wife confirmed that she remembers seeing them worn on vests also and sweaters.




It was a good day but about the park being strange, like the first time we didn't get any good hits until the afternoon, all the good hits were in one general area but in spite of the amphitheater that holds concerts and other events that draw crowds, between us I found one clad quarter and the area was really clean except for the older coins? Also being on a hill, the lower areas have stone and gravel from the house, roller coaster and road/path areas washed down. So it seems strange that if the rain washed so much down, wouldn't it stand to reason that the upper part of the hill should be eroded enough to bring some older coins closer to the surface there, and if so why would the old style pull tabs be laying on the surface, it's not like they were pulled off of a can anytime recently and once exposed I would think as light as they are that they would wash away quickly?

There were other peculiarities that we pondered before leaving, but it's late, I'm tired and am getting to the point of babbling, if I haven't already .

Here's some more pictures of the park:

[johnj45586]

Those were some great finds. I recognize the "clothes pins" as a thing I have seen holding a sweater closed - late '50's or early '60's. I have a very clear memory image of a blue sweater. Sterling is always fine.
Reale is a neat historical coin. Seems that early US commerce accepted Reales and in some cases the US govt. used them rather than minting a coin. That's my impression - could be wrong.
The park looks like the parks I am hunting here in California - except we don't have any overhead power or telephone lines. The parking areas and buildings are identical.
I followed a rain erosion path today too. And found nothing 'till I got to the bottom. And then I found old style pull tabs on top of the dirt.
I really enjoyed the pictures. Thanks for the great post.
Happy hunting

[ERnurse]

:rocketwh o

:z bday:

Minelab Man!!! Do you realize that the Piece of Eight or Reales is one of the Holy Grails of land pirates!! You found an Eight Reales. Yes they where used here as some of our first coins. It is the foundation of our Dollar. Remember 2bits (25 cents), 4 bits (50 cents), 6 bits (75 cents), a dollar. That's not just a high school cheer. That is how the Piece of Eight is measured. Sometimes you find literally Pieces of them that were cut to pay 2 bits. The Piece of Eight is what out whole currency and coin system is based on.

Dude, you found an 8 Reales. YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!Now get out there and see what else comes up. Sounds like your sitting on a SWEET honey hole!

[EBCIII]

Fantastic finds! The silver is very cool and unique. That Reales is about as rare as a hens tooth. You deserve a huge congrats on it.

Way to go Alan, very good hunt, Beale.

[bdahunter]

What a Great Find, a full 8 Reale is hard to find!

Cheers,

BDA

[Dyrty]

Wow really nice finds.

[Steve in PR]

Some fantastic finds, Alan! That site holds more but it will be hard to beat what you already found!

[rip]

Holy smokes ! An 8 reale ! shaaaweeeeet ! congrats ! I'm thinking there must have been an old homesite or something there before the park.Have you done any research into it ?

[RingDancer]

I am impressed!!! What a find!!! Fabulous place for hunting!!!
Love the pics and waiting to see what else you pull out!!!

Go get em!!!

HH
RingDancer

[Buster]

Alan, real good hunt..Good job on the Reale, that is way cool..That baby is old for sure.. I would love to have found that one myself...It will go on my list of things that I would like to find for sure...Silver is awesome too. The close pins are unique and old also....You had a very good hunt indeed...Way to go...I would hit that spot a few more times...Congrats...Buster....:bthu mb: