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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Chip Kirkpatrick, post: 8107504, member: 101265&quot;]While metal detecting a curb strip in one of the historical areas in Jacksonville, Florida, I harvested a strange bronze ring with what has been described as a privately minted Mexican coin mounted on it. </p><p><br /></p><p>First,note the construction of the ring. Very solidly made with 8 prongs securing the coin. When have you ever seen a ring with 8 prongs?&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>The face of the ring is a replication of an Incan calendar. BUT, on the opposite side, hidden inside the ring, there is a face. The face is of Father Miguel Hidalgo. Called THE FATHER OF MEXICO, he led the Mexican Revolution until his capture and execution by Spanish soldiers in 1811.</p><p><br /></p><p>This was recently examined by an archeologist who specializes in Spanish relics who believes it was likely made in Vera Cruz and owned by a Spanish priest. He believes the face was hidden as it is because of political reasons during that time. Any association with Hidalgo was not likely to be seen in a positive light. </p><p><br /></p><p>The Spanish had a number of missions and trading posts along the east coast of Florida, originating in St Augustine, about 25 miles from where I found this. Each post was approximately a day’s march apart. </p><p><br /></p><p>when inquiring about the origins of the coin, I was informed that private minting of coins was allowed at that time, mostly used as scrip at mines and large estates. They were used as payment to the laborers to be exchanged for food and items at the “company stores”.</p><p><br /></p><p>Whatever it’s origins or use, it is one of my more unusual finds.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>And while not a Mexican coin, I will include this one too. </p><p><br /></p><p>Six months ago I received a request for help from a woman to find a lost item. This was my 34th return and quite a challenge. The woman’s husband gave her a pair of Tiffany Gold ear rings and then died unexpectedly a few days later. She was wearing them for the first time and one popped off in her front yard. It took me 3 hours to find it nestled between 2 roots of an oak tree. </p><p><br /></p><p>But while searching I got a solid silver signal UNDER A MASSIVE TREE ROOT! I had to tunnel under both sides of the root until I could reach under it. I felt a rectangular object grown into the root. But I was able to pry it loose and found a silver belt buckle with a 1917 Peruvian 1/2 Sol silver coin mounted on the buckle. [ATTACH=full]1410422[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1410414[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1410415[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1410416[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1410417[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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