Week number two owning a Minelab Safari. I found a medieval style gold ring in the low tide wet sandy mud at a salt water beach (lots of black sand) and amongst LOTS of trash.
I initially thought it unlikely that the ring could be medieval until I thought about where I found it and how it could find its way to my location of discovery. The ring was found nearby where Russian fur trading ships stopped at a fresh water spring along the San Diego coastline in the 1800s', now known as the area of Coronado Cays. Additionally, Juan Cabrillo sailed his ship San Salvador into the bay in the year 1542…lots of history! Although 1800s' is not medieval, it's highly probable that Russian Mariners travelled with family heirlooms. There's also the legend of the lost Russian buried gold coin treasure at the Silver Strand, The Russian Spring Treasure. The location of my find was not in the immediate area of the Russian Spring (no longer exists, houses are built there now) but rather an area I suspect mariners would have scouted and explored in discovery of what the east side of the bay had to offer.
My research revealed that this ring is indeed of medieval design, known as "stirrup". I'm thinking my ring is not medieval though because of the hallmarks but regardless, I love the mystery that embraces this hobby/sport.
There was so much junk at the discovery location that “slow was pro”. My advice to others: Learn the language (sounds) that an FBS detector speaks and you will prosper, your machine will no longer sound like a foreign language. Initially my Safari sounded like 28 split personalities all talking to me at the same time and in a foreign language. My experience with the Minelab Safari after reading the manual, other support documentation AND practical field use & testing of various known objects has proven this detector as phenomenal!
Good job to me for doing the research and good job Minelab for developing a great metal detector! Happy hunting to all!
Bryan – CA, USA.
