publisher’s blog
Publisher Dan Frezza Marketing Coordinators Larry Cissna, Dan Frezza
elcome to the treasure depot magazine. Our standard is set high with our intentions being to produce the best and most inclusive metal detecting magazine on shelves today. Each issue we will cover a wide range of topics and include stories that touch every boundary of the hobby of metal detecting. Relic hunting has been around for generations and with the evolution of machine, metal detecting has taken it to a brand new height. Whether you are looking for lost coins in a city park, buried trea-
from cover to cover sure on a beach or lost history in a military encampment your prime interests have been digging in the dirt to reveal that “mystery signal.” Each issue will explore a multitude of those “mystery signals” while taking you along for the ride on hunts with the men and women of this great hobby. Readers of this magazine will be exposed to all areas of this hobby. Geographic barriers might limit what you can find in your hometown, but you will find that within the Treasure Depot Magazine 4
January/February 2007
Photography Mark Slade Copy Editors Emily Frezza, Dan Frezza, Michael DeAngury Staff Writers Michael DeAngury, Jeff Harris, The Mayor
limitations do not exist. Through the material published you will find yourself on safari hunts in the Deep South or possibly searching for gold out west all on the same day. Fellowship is the ultimate bond we all share within the hobby. For starters it is fun and our magazine will indeed breathe that same thought. In the end if it is not fun and it’s unable to be shared then why does it exist? Be a part of the magazine by submitting your recent recoveries in the Fresh from the Ground
. . . it’s about you! section or learn a new trick from our Tech Talk section. Either way your subscription is the ticket to a 12-month ride on the only magazine designed for the gathering, fellowship, educational and learning opportunities of this great hobby! Enjoy the ride and let us know how we can continue to serve you and the hobby!
Dan Frezza Treasure Depot Magazine | PREMIER ISSUE
Contributing Writers Jim Brouwer, Derek Duggan, Pete Eles, Dennis Farrer, Emily Frezza, John Frezza, Brian Irving, David Pearsall, Beau Quimette, David Smith, Technical/Web Support Chris Cissna, Jon Harris, Mark Slade Layout/Design 6D Graphics | R3 Communications r3communications.com Printed By 6D Graphics - Raleigh, NC 919.854.6100 6DGraphics.com Postage paid and delivered at <Kemah enter info here> POSTMASTER : Please send notice of undeliverable copies to: The Treasure Depot Magazine 1412 Camellia Dr. Sweeny, Texas 77480 As a written publication no portion of the Treasure Depot Magazine may be reproduced in any fashion without the written consent of publisher. The Treasure Depot Magazine holds no affiliation with any hobby groups or websites other than TheTreasureDepot.com and does not condone the illegal recovering of artifacts. The Treasure Depot Magazine is dedicated for the achievement of excellence however cannot be held liable for inadvertent misrepresentation. Submissions by readers are encouraged, however all content is subject to review by the publisher and magazine staff. No submission is guaranteed to go to print and you may write or visit our website for further guidelines. Emailed submissions should be sent to TDMag@ windstream.net The Treasure Depot Magazine reserves the right to reprint photos and content as needed.
The Treasure Depot Magazine www.TheTreasureDepot.com TDMag@windstream.net 1412 Camellia Dr. Sweeny, Texas 77480
www . thetreasuredepot . com
fresh from the ground No matter the find we want to see it “Fresh From The Ground” ….is there any better way?
Lawrenzo Manza brought this little beauty to light from an early cavalry camp in Amador County, California. This tongue and wreath eagle plate was just one example of many artifacts that were recovered and displayed in a museum by Manza and fellow hunters.
While faced with going his first year in sometime without digging a confederate button David Smith was relieved when this tin back Block A (CS 117) popped out of his hole. This nice example was recovered in the Williamsburg VA area in an 1862 camp. www . thetreasuredepot . com
Treasure Depot Magazine | PREMIER ISSUE
January/February 2007
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fresh from the ground
Kirk Haas enjoys getting out and finding artifacts the old fashion way. His eyes locked in on this beautiful Native American late woodland knife while hunting a field in Dearborn County, Indiana.
Four Bormann 12lb shells, two canteens and a rifle barrel are what Beau Ouimette returned home with after a very successful hunt in the Lower Shenandoah Valley. That is a list that anyone would be proud to make in one hunt! 6
January/February 2007
Treasure Depot Magazine | PREMIER ISSUE
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fresh from the ground
Silver seemed to be the origin of the day for Pete Eles of South Carolina. While hunting a slave quarter site in the Charleston, South Carolina area Pete was expecting to find the usual items however was pleasantly surprised when he unearthed this early Spanish Cob and unique silver bracelet. Crudely made this bracelet just might have been adorned by a servant of one of Charlestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand plantations.
Beach hunting is probably the most visible aspect of our great hobby. Every summer thousands of men and women see these hardcore hunters adorning funny sticks attached to a frisbee as they dig for buried treasure! Dave Pilot has recovered some amazing examples of the treasure that can be found on the beach. This 10K band, 14K band and 14K Cross/Anchor device were all found while night hunting Deerfield Beach, Florida.
Hunting in the Bayou Lafourche country of Southern Louisiana can produce some centerpiece finds. Just ask Bernie David who recovered this crude Sling Buckle and Star device believed to have a Texas origin from the site of a 19th century sugar cane plantation. www . thetreasuredepot . com
Treasure Depot Magazine | PREMIER ISSUE
The old stuff really does exist in New England and Hank Phillips seems to always find them. This 1620â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade point serves as a reminder of the coinhabitance of settlers and Native Americans.
January/February 2007
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Rick Poole displays the variety of items that can be recovered while searching on coastlines for coins. He recovered a 1914 Barber Dime, 1897 V Nickel, Louisiana Welfare Tax Token, copper ring, coin silver ring, religious medallion, musket ball, 1946 silver quarter, 1844O Seated Liberty Quarter, and an 1848 Large Cent. The V Nickel was his first pre 1900 coin, which shortly was followed by a 1848 Large Cent and then his now oldest coin the 1844 seated Quarter.
Julio “Jules” Razquin of New Hampshire had a coin heavy month of October. Recovered in just the last three weeks of the month Jules added a 1734 and 1749 George II copper, a Connecticut copper, two King George III coppers and an 1837 Large Cent to his collection. These seven coins would thrill any collector as they truly show the age of the North Eastern United States.
Mathew Carr dug this 1836 capped bust half dime in New York this past November. What made this find special was it became Mathew’s oldest half dime to date! 8
January/February 2007
Treasure Depot Magazine | PREMIER ISSUE
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fresh from the ground
This rare 1909s VBD Penny was recovered by Steve Norton and will have us all rechecking our wheat pennies. This Victor David Brenner design was found in Southern Oklahoma in an abandoned oil field. Victor David Brenner broke new ground by placing the image of an actual person on a coin made for circulation. In another break from tradition, Brenner placed his initials near the bottom of the back of the coin. Despite their small size, the letters V.D.B. were obvious enough to create uproar with the public and mint officials. The coin was immediately removed. Four varieties of the 1909 penny exist and this is the rarest of the four!
A friendly hunt rewarded two longtime friends while hunting an 1861 CS training camp in Louisiana. Larry Cissna landed this 1808 over 7 One Reale while R.J. Boutte called it a day with an early 1768 variety!
The South Carolina “Low Country” aided Marty Durham in scratching one off of his want list. This crisp example of an early Spanish cob was unearthed to Marty’s thrill! The best part was that this find was shared with other friends who could attest to Marty’s excitement!
Mike Watson and Johnny Howell made two nice recoveries while hunting in Wayne County NC. The Confederate Script C cuff (CS130Av) was awarded to Mike while Johnny went home with a very nice gold wedding band.
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Treasure Depot Magazine | PREMIER ISSUE
January/February 2007
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fresh from the ground
Greg Sorrell of Greenville NC made two nice finds on the same day from two different sites. This cuff Louisiana and Confederate Block C with a Chatwin & son Birmingham backmark were recovered from two different counties in Eastern NC while hunting with a group of friends.
The south does indeed still hide a few good buttons every year. A hard working Brent Thompson recovered this â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hyde & Goodrich New Orleansâ&#x20AC;? Louisiana button in southern Louisiana. Michael King unearthed this beautiful cuff US Revenue Service Button in lower Alabama. First issued in 1834 this service represented the US Coast Guard prior to 1915.
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January/February 2007
Treasure Depot Magazine | PREMIER ISSUE
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fresh from the ground
It goes to show that family tales do reign true. Mike Williams always heard about tales of union soldiers inhabiting his family’s farm in Eastern NC. Finally deciding to check it out with his metal detector Mike quickly discovered some family secrets are actually very true. This US BitBoss Rosette was his first and a very impressive piece of evidence of troop activity.
John Sherman was quite surprised when this tongue to an early US Eagle plate popped from the ground. John was hunting an old home site along the Colorado River near Bastrop Texas. This site has previously produced eagle buttons and coins, however now it is home to where John recovered his first ever plate!
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Treasure Depot Magazine | PREMIER ISSUE
Eddie King had a good day of surprises when he dug these three buttons in the lower Mississippi valley. Once out of the ground he thought he only recovered a plain ball button, a New York state seal coat button and a plain eagle general service button. Upon cleaning Eddie was pleased to see his “plain” eagle turn into an eagle R, his New York coat turn into a Louisiana state seal staff button, and his “plain” ball button become a decorative one.
Dennis Farrer had a very productive Fall of 2007 with three fantastic finds. Traveling all over South Carolina and even a trip to Georgia paid off well for the South Carolina native. Dennis recovered this beautiful Sling Buckle and Block I from the Palmetto State while a trip to Georgia paid off with this fine example of a US Breast Plate.
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fresh from the ground
Treasure Depot sponsored hunts at Fort Powhatan Virginia have treated many of participants very well over the years. Bruce Conley can attest to that as he was able to head back to Georgia with this nice duo, CS Script I coat and 1780 Half Reale.
The search begins, as Bill Williams is half way there. Bill recovered this CS Tongue in Hanover County, Virginia. Bill probably has and will continue to spend countless hours in the field looking for the remaining wreath. Best of luck Bill and great find! Danny Salata of San Jose California recovered two nice examples of glass artifacts that would look great in anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection. These 1850â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ale beer and green embossed bottles were recovered from Northern California.
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January/February 2007
When it comes to artifacts Allan Gaskins of North Carolina has found his fare share. However, even a 30 year veteran of this hobby can get excited when he comes face to face with any CS Buckle, not to mention this beauty. Allan experienced just that when he recovered this beautiful Confederate belt plate in Eastern NC.
Treasure Depot Magazine | PREMIER ISSUE
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