Comment by Keith Mullins on January 27, 2013 at 9:14am

17th century Spanish Maravedis Cobs, made of copper and a bronze ring. Found in Santa Monica Bay area.

Comment by costalot on January 29, 2013 at 6:56am

Those are really cool!  Great find!

I like to go Geocaching with my youngest daughter.  It's not quite treasure hunting; more like a high tech scavenger hunt but it's a fun thing to do with the kids or even alone.  :)

Comment by Keith Mullins on January 29, 2013 at 7:55am

@ costalot ... I am keeping the exact location a secret for now. Here is why >

Santa Monica Bay is about 50 miles from me, but I do try to go there often, as it is a favorite snorkeling spot of mine. I go there looking for sunken treasure...

Don’t laugh, here is why...

First, a history refresher lesson for you...

Facts...From the late 1500s to the early 1800s the Spanish had a trade route from Acapulco Mexico to Manilla in the Phillipines, making 2-3 voyages per year. In Manilla they purchased such things as emeralds, pearls, silk, china and spices. About 1/5 of the ships that left Acapulco never returned. Some that made it to Manilla were then lost on the return voyage. Each ship leaving Acapulco carried 80 pounds of gold and how ever many tons of silver that was available to use for trade in Manilla, with orders to use the silver first and only use the gold if necessary. Each crew member was permitted to carry one years wages in gold & silver, ships officers were permitted even more. The return voyage from Manilla was northerly where they would end up around Pt. Concepcion (north of Santa Barbara) and then turn south towards Acapulco along the coast. On average about half the crew would die due to scurvy etc , so the captain took possession of their belongings (gold & silver) to supposedly give to their families (this rarely was completed due to greed). On the old Spanish maps from this era, first drawn by Cabrillo in 1542, show a fresh water source at 34 deg N latitude (same location as Santa Monica Bay) which they would need after the long ocean journey from Manilla. So they would hug the coastline looking for it. 

In 1602 Spanish explorer Vizcaino met with the Indians on Catalina island and they showed him pieces of silk & china that they got from a ship that they told him wrecked on the rocks further up the coast. Due to bad weather Vizcaino was unable to locate the wreck site. The Chumash Indians of the coastal areas have stories of bearded men being washed ashore, some of which survived and set out on foot southward.

Conclusion...There have long been rumors of atleast 3 Galleons believed to be sunken somewhere around the Santa Monica Bay area, though none have ever been found. After 400 +/- years any wood or iron/steel would be disolved by the salt water. In salt water... brass, bronze & copper tarnish, silver oxidizes forming a blackish coating on its surface & gold is unaffected.

Think I'm Crazy ?

 

 I found these coins while snorkeling in the Santa Monica Bay area. They are 17th century Spanish Maravedis Cob's, made of copper. On a few you can see early to mid 1600’s dates . Photo taken after cleaning with diluted muriatic acid & scotchbrite. My guess is the Tsunami wave from the Japan earthquake stirred up something long since buried beneath the waves.

Comment by Keith Mullins on January 29, 2013 at 8:02am

My treasure hunting gear.

Also just purchased one of these, not submersible but has waterproof coil >

Comment by costalot on January 29, 2013 at 8:07am

The last pictures didn't post but that's a fascinating story.  Best of luck to you!  I don't blame you for keeping it secret.  Been a long time since I've been to Santa Monica.  I lived in Redondo in the mid 90's which is how I came to know M&B.  Been back in the Boston area where I grew up ever since.  :)

Comment by Keith Mullins on January 29, 2013 at 8:11am

Just created an "Old Maps" page in this group so you can research a specific areas history for possile search locations.

Comment by Keith Mullins on February 1, 2013 at 6:15pm

Scanned part of the backyard today, and after a few old rusty nails I found this, a US Army Armor division lapel pin with clasps still attached. I know the previous owner was an active US Army Reservist before his death. I contacted his daughter and am sending it to her.

Comment by Keith Mullins on February 4, 2013 at 6:21pm

1 hour around 1 tree at a local park = $1.41 . Oldest is 1956 nickle.

Comment by Keith Mullins on February 4, 2013 at 6:26pm

Comment by Keith Mullins on February 6, 2013 at 5:32pm

Found today. Not real silver, but my 6 year old daughter loves it anyways.

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