First Gold of 2021 - Underwhelming but ...!

[fred]

The very local beaches are not right for detecting as the Christmas storms blew them flat so for the last few days I've been doing a little scraping instead. This type of searching is never very productive and most finds are bits of scrap non ferrous.

Yesterday afternoon I finished 2020 with half a dozen knackered coppers and a solitary silver coin. It's slightly smaller and chunkier than a sixpence and has a milled edge but I'm not sure what it is as burning has completely destroyed the surface. It's good quality silver though so I was pleased enough.

This morning the low tide had moved enough for an early morning session to be possible although it was a bit bracing out. Fortunately by the time that I discovered the latter I was committed. It was again slow going but I found a few coppers and a nice heap of scrap lead, brass and copper.

As the incoming tide was literally lapping against my wellies I caught a glipse of buttery yellow metal as I flcked the dirty sand with my trowel. After a few slightly anxious moments I relocated it in the spoil and it was obvously a gold pin from a piece of jewellery. Even after being burned (with all the rubbish) and washing around in the sea for 70 odd years you can still see the tiny hammer marks where the goldsmith had flattened out the end to fix it to a broach. It tests as very hight quality so, combined with the handworking, my guess is that it would have been made abroad, perhaps in Asia.

NewYearGold2.JPG

NewYearGold1.JPG

Despite Covid induced lockdowns 2020 was one of my best ever years for both gold, silver and spending money. At an underwhelming 0.21 grams this little pin certainly isn't going to change my lifestyle but I am still mightily pleased to start 2021 by putting a bit of yellow into my brand new finds folder.

Happy New Year everybody!

[hartsman]

Well done Fred and a Happy New Year to you.

[king of the swingers]

nice one. you have broke the duck early

[beachboy70]

Interesting find Fred,i did ventra out but the beach was full of extra sand but did find a spot with less sand total finds 60 p ( and it was cold ). I did find a queen vic 1898 last week but really worn + 2 silver coins so finds still about. happy new year all. beachboy70

[Digiffys]

Well found Fred that's a blimming good start mate Loads more to come in 2021 I'm sure

[geoff]

You did well picking that up, a demo of great skills.

[sweepstick47]

Nicely done Fred, starting as you mean to go on! It bodes well for the arrival of the New Year
Happy new Year mate

[Rivers rat]

I ll pick it later for my nose piercing,if you havent put it yet on your belly button.


RR

[Bradrick]

A nice start Fred.

Happy New Year to you too matey.