Beach Combing and Metal Detecting for Treasure.

Author metal detecting beach area off 1715 wreck The Carmen.

Low tide part of reef that The Carmen struck and sank.

Buttons and partial buckle,17th thru mid 19th century.

Mini balls and musket rounds. Flat hammered ball for holding flint in lock.

17th century Spanish coins.

Assorted 18th and early 19th century coins.

18th century iron artifacts.

Beach combing and metal detecting run hand and hand. Your eyes scan the sand for that item that says pick me up. Many times it's trash but every once in awhile you find something worth the time spent. Metal detecting searches for the things you can not see on the surface, metal items that is. There are times when you hear the ping and dig to find non metallic items with metal items. For most who go metal detecting on the beach your finds will not be pirate treasure but loose change and jewelry. From a monetary point that lost gold diamond ring may be worth way more than some rusted piece of iron.
     This article will be presented in several parts. I will attempt to briefly go over some points to help in searching for your treasure. One of the first things to remember is not to trespass on private or restricted property. On beaches as a general rule from high tide mark to low tide mark is not private. Metal detecting in the water can be a different story. As of a couple years ago Florida made a law that says you can not bring anything up that is over 50 years old. One exception would be when salvage permits have been given out by the state as with the 1715 wrecks off Sebastian/ Vero beach,Fl. If going to a state park ask about their rules. No federal park allows metal detecting.
      Another basic rule is carry out the trash you dig up. Another is refill the hole you dug.If on private property it is advisable not just to get permission but determine who keeps what if anything is found. In the next parts of this article I will go over what equipment to use, cleaning and protecting your finds and a few other pointers.