Submitted by Stepper Camilleis
There were 23 attendees at the December 5 Zoom meeting. Paulo Adams gave the Treasurer’s Report, indicating a balance of about $5500 and an ample supply of silver on hand for prizes.
Club President Scott Ferguson praised Paulo for the way he’s supported the MTHA as its Treasurer. Joe Mishley also told his story of how Scott recruited him, and gave kudos to Scott for the job he’s done as well.
The prime topic was the “Frostbiter Hunt” on Sunday, December 12 seeded hunt at Wollaston Beach followed by a Christmas party at Judi’s house in Braintree. Scott Ferguson is organizing the hunt and plans to be on the beach around 10:00 and will catch the low tide at noon. The beach hunt will start at 1:30, and everyone will gather near the Clam Box. Someone from the Club was very generous to have made an anonymous donation to buy pizza for all the participants of the hunt. Sylvia Cross came up with a great suggestion that people wear red and white Santa hats to the hunt!
Paulo explained the yankee swap: you must bring a gift valued at least $20, and that it’s OK to bring snacks but no booze. Paulo also showed us a 1926 Declaration of Independence Sesquicentennial Commemorative half dollar that will be raffled off at the party. One does not have to be present at the party to win the Christmas raffle.
Dan Schwartz told an amazing story of someone from our Club who, while on a detecting tour in England, found an extremely rare American silver three-pence dated 1790 struck by silversmith Standish Barry of Baltimore. This coin features a “BALTIMORE TOWN JULY 4 90” legend on one side and “STANDISH BARRY” and “THREE PENCE” on the other side. The motif is believed to be that of James Calhoun, the first mayor of Baltimore. There are only 21 of this type of coin known to exist in the world! Yes, that’s 21, not 21 million or even 21,000! He says the coin has a hole in it but even so is valued at over $10,000. What a stupendous find, and how did this coin end up across the pond? Dan also mentioned that this same individual found a Roman bronze fibula brooch with diamond-colored stones. Dan says it’s possible that in those days, precious gems were encased in non-precious metal supports … and if they’re real diamonds, the brooch could be substantially valuable! Thanks for sharing this great story, Dan!
For the raffles at the 12/5 meeting, Joe Mishley won a 1924 Peace dollar and Mary McCue won an 1878 Morgan dollar. Judi Batchelder won the 50/50 raffle which was $80. The Barber half drawing was done by Louis Strazzulo but he did not pick the winning envelope.