VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5

May 2006 Newsletter now on: www.ckmetaldetecting.com

This Month’s Issue

Chatham Kent Metal Detecting Club Phil Szucs

President

Fred Cammaart

Kathy Gagnier

Vice President

Frank Vadovic

Secretary/Treasurer

OUR CLUB Our club is a group of people interested in recovering artifacts, coins, and other interesting items from the past and various historical research topics. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month at the back door behind Evangel Community Church on 76 Sandy Street in Chatham. Guests are always welcome. At each meeting members may enter their finds of the month in the Finds of the Month Competition. The programs consist of talks by club members or invited speakers, slide or video shows, artfacts displays or demonstrations of new products. The club maintains a small library of books, magazines and maps, which may be checked out for one month. Our club strives to improve the public image of detector users and other amateur historical collectors. We therefore abide by the Code of Ethics.

News/Editor

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Secretary Message April Minutes Club interest, Sale Items Finds of the Month Name Game Facts and Fun Page Dave Crundwell

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Don Wallace

Web Site

Events Coordinator

CODE OF ETHICS I I will respect private property and will not metal detect without the owner’s permission. I will fill all holes. I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural and cultural resources, wildlife and private property. I will use thoughtfulness, consideration, and courtesy at all times. I will leave all gates as found. I will remove litter and properly dispose of all trash found. I will not litter. I will not destroy property ,buildings, or what is left of ghost towns and deserted structures. I will not tamper with signs, structural facilities or equipment. I will return an item, by any means, if someone can adequately describe it

Please Welcome Two New members

We can be contacted by email at

[email protected]

CKMDC Next Meeting June 29th 2006 Greg Reid

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Ken McMillin

Secretary Message Hi Everyone! I’d like to tell you a bit about the small town I grew up in called Kingsville. For those that don’t know much about Kingsville I can tell you it is Canada’s most southern town. It is situated along the north shore of Lake Erie in Essex County about 17 kilometres west of Point Pelee. Kingsville welcomed many American visitors by steamer at the turn of the 20th century and became the summer destination spot for both wealthy and middle class residents from Windsor and Detroit. The first permanent settlers arrived around 1790 and by 1805 many families were established in log dwellings with some outbuildings. Kingsville might be an interesting place to do research and metal detect. One popular building was the Mettawas Hotel being the most opulent and notable building ever constructed in the community of Kingsville. Entire families arrived at the Kingsville Railway Station with trunks filled with apparel. Some would arrive by private yacht or on steamers from Cleveland, Chicago and Toledo. This immense summer hotel offered its wealthy patrons the latest in entertainment and lavish dining. Eventually a casino was added for the wealthy patrons. These buildings have since been demolished and I believe part of it was destroyed by fire. There is so much history on the town of Kingsville that the Kingsville-Gosfield Heritage Society produced an amazing and fantastic book entitled “Kingsville 1790-2000: A Stroll Through Time”. If you are ever looking for some interesting places to detect you can borrow my copy of the book. It is jam-packed with very interesting information and photographs and maps. I will have these books available for viewing at the May meeting if you are interested. I wish everyone the best of luck and safety while detecting. Sincerely, Kathy Gagnier (CKMDC Secretary/Treasurer)

April Minutes The meeting started at 7:05 with President Phil Szucs and Vice-President Fred Cammaart in attendance. Total of 27 members were present including officers. Phil welcomed two new members Ken McMillin and Greg Reid. Welcome to the club. The Secretary Kathy Gagnier read the minutes and they were first accepted by Carl, seconded by Frank and all the members agreed to accept them as read and they were signed by the President. LAST MONTH’S HUNTS: The members talked about the hunts that were held at the old drive-in and also the Thames Grove Conservation Area. APPARAIL: See Vince for t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats with the club logo. POPCANS: Now have 4 full barrels. Keep bringing in those cans please. It was mentioned to bring in the cans to Wallaceburg instead of London. The price is a bit cheaper but we will save on mileage. ARTICLE IN PAPER: Kathy read an article found in the cktimes.ca informing the readers about our club here in Chatham. WINDSOR CLUB: sometimes have newsletters here at the meeting in case someone wants to read them. LIBRARY: Dave will look into it. STONEY CREEK: A platinum coin was purchased off eBay and a detector was purchased. SHOWCASE DISPLAY: Dave Crundwell, Dale Crow, and Con Mullen brought in cases showing things they have found this year and Dale was showing the club his friends father’s thing. Thanks for sharing that will us.. WASAGA BEACH: We will be making reservations in the next month so make sure you let Kathy know you are going. DETECTOR RAFFLE: $30.00 was gained on the raffle. COIN SET RAFFLE: There was a raffle on a reproduction coin set dating 1908 to 1990. Andy Songal was the winner of the coin set. Congratulations Andy. QUESTION AND ANSWER: Phil held a question and answer period pertaining to metal detecting NEW CHURCH BUILDING: The Evangel Community Church has bought land at the end of Park and 40 highway and some members asked if we could detect there. Phil will ask for permission. Robert Robertson will look into the history of that lot. MYSTERY ITEM: Dave brought in a mystery item for everyone to guess at. It turns out he thinks it is a small handle on the end of a stick to pull a bull by the ring of his nose. Thanks Dave for bringing that in and showing the members KEN’S WHITES BROCHURES: See Ken if you would like a brochure on Whites products. 50/50 WINNER: Carl Ferren is this month’s winner wining $36.00 and the club receiving $36.00. MYSTERY DRAW: Won by Dennis Warwick. APRIL FIELD HUNT: Hoping to hunt at the church’s new lot at the end of Park. WEBSITE UPDATE: Frank wants to update some things on the website. SANDPOINTE BEACH: Con visited there and found a man’s 10k ring and jewelry in the water. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Page 2

Club Interest

2006 Button for the Stoney Point Hunt

The 2006 Scavenger Hunt is on again! The 2005 Winner’s Dale Crow for Best Overall Dave Crundwell for the Relic Category Fred Cammaart for the Park Category And Robert Szucs for the Beach Category Remember to visit Forum: www.metal-detecting.org Club Site: http://www.ckmetaldetecting.com/

Interesting Sites South Western Ontario Metal Detecting The Treasure Depot Canadian Metal Detecting Forum History Television The Trading Post Lost Treasure Western & Eastern Treasures

http://www.metal-detecting.org/ http://www.thetreasuredepot.com/index.html http://members3.boardhost.com/cmdf/ http://history.ca http://members4.boardhost.com/cmdctradingpost/ http://www.losttreasure.com/ http://www.treasurenet.com/westeast/

“Bring those Aluminum Cans” We have over 4 barrel filled.

For Sale For Sale Quantum II, Great Condition $450.00 Contact: Con Mullen (519) 944 1677 or E-Mail [email protected]

For Sale Stainless Beach Sand Scoop Excellent Condition $75.00 Contact: Dennis Warwick (519) 351 3598 or E-Mail [email protected]

For Sale

For Sale

Please! Contact me ( Frank) In writing at the meeting or E-Mail me [email protected] to post an item you would like to sell.

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April Finds

Dale Crow

Con Mullen

Fred Cammaart

Dave Crundwell

Fred Shepley

Greg Neid

Robert Robertson

Con Mullen

Fred Shepley

Tom Atkinson

Andy Songal

Fred Cammaart

Dale Crow

Frank Vadovic

Fred Cammaart

Dave Crundwell

Fred Shepley

Dave Crundwell

COIN: 1876 seated liberty by Dale Crow JEWELRY: 33 inch silver chain and cross by Fred Shepley RELIC: Fred Shepley’s Hudson Bay company officer’s button. MISC: Tecumseh metal found by Robert Robertson BEST OVERALL: Fred Shepley's officer’s button.

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Robert Robertson

Dave Crundwell

FINDS OF THE MONTH

Sorry! For any missed labeled or missing pictures...

Fred Shepley

Name Game 1. I had two names - Fairport and ___________ . 2. Mrs. Wheatly was my 1st. Post master __________ . 3. I sent one of my sons to the Antarctic with Adm. Byrd _________ . 4. Chatham Center was my 1st. Name __________ . 5. Bear Creek was my Alias ___________ . 6. All this is left of me to-day is a Recycle station _________ . 7. I had the first bridge over the Thames ____________. 8. Whitehall was also my name _____________ . 9. I was one of the many places called “The Forks” _________ . 10. Shortage of food gave me my name _____________ . 11. My name is Bothwell , But I was once known as __________ . 12. St. Mary’s was my maiden name ____________ .

And Your Name _______________________________ .

Simply! Fill in the Blanks to the 12 questions above, From answers below the one that has the most correct answers wins “You Must Bring in this Sheet “ to enter and win a prize, incase of a tie winner will be determined at meeting. Only one prize. Judge’s decision is final! Good Luck!!! Open to CKMDC members only

Eberts, Wallaceburg, Darrel, Moravia,

Pain Court, Kent Bridge,

Wheatly, Walpole Island, Dresden, Sydenham River, Morpeth, Howard.

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“A little bit of”

Facts and Fun Page

DID YOU KNOW! KNOW! Coin Cleaning...To Clean or Not to Clean

There are two rules to cleaning coins: 1. Never clean your coins. 2. Refer back to rule 1. Clad Coins Clad coins are the easiest to clean and if you goof up and they look bad, so what. They are still spendable. I tumble all of my clad coins with pretty good results. It is an effortless job. I fill the tumbler between half and 3/4's full of coins, add water about a 1/2" above the coins, slice in some Ivory soap and let the tumbler do it's job. Always tumble like coins such as quarters, dimes and nickels. If you put copper pennies in with the clads they are going to turn a copper color. Clean your memorial pennies the same way but by themselves. This method will clean all of the dirt off of them. It will not remove stains though. To remove stains from coins, soak them in one cup of white vinegar with a tablespoon of table salt. Let them sit as long as needed, even overnight. Changing the solution in between soaks can help a lot with stubborn stains. After soaking them, put them back in the tumbler and then they should be ready to spend. I have heard of people putting the clads in a tumbler (after using the methods above) with sawdust or wood shavings. I personally have not tried this but I think it would work great at "polishing" them. This is all I do on clad coins. Anything more in my opinion is too time consuming, especially for clad coins. Wheat Pennies Okay, you got me on this one. I tumble wheat pennies. I always check the date and mint mark and if it is a common wheat, it goes in the tumbler. The way I look at it is, out of the ground it is worth a penny, cleaned up it is still worth a penny, only now it looks better. I also clean wheat pennies with a brass brush. The same type of brush used for cleaning suede shoes or your BBQ grill. That's right! Brass is softer than copper. Sure, you can put scratches on a penny if you scrub it too hard. Be gentle, use a circular motion, back and forth and sideways. Whatever it takes to clean it up. Check out these examples of cleaned wheat pennies using a brass brush: Example One, Two, and Three. In example three you can see that it doesn't always work. These wheat pennies are so encrusted that they will never be cleaned to the point that they have eye appeal. You lose some, you win some. Other methods I have tried on wheat pennies (but no longer recommend) are soaking them in the vinegar solution. Oh yes, it works great. They come out a dull copper color, similar to a new penny only dull looking. Years ago after doing this I rubbed sulfur on the surface of the dull coin and they toned up nice. It actually worked very well. Environmental reasons prevent me from using this method plus health and safety would also be a concern. Better that you learn what not to do from HDWT than experimenting on your own. Learn from my mistakes, that is the purpose of this article. Also, don't soak them in bleach. It doesn't work at all. Don't use Ajax cleanser (or similar products) on copper coins. I did back in 1975 and almost ruined my most favorite coin...the 1796 Liberty Cap large cent. Twenty five years of natural toning has helped it look pretty good now. When I first cleaned it, shiny copper areas could be seen everywhere. I sent it in to a grading service and it came back as a Good 6 with environmental damage. However, they did not slab it. DO NOT USE AJAX CLEANSER ON COINS! Also, if you use electrolysis to clean copper coins they come out the same way as using the vinegar method. Soaking them in vinegar or using electrolysis also lifts dirt out of holes on the coins that you didn't know were there. Don't use it on coins that you want to give eye appeal to. I have tried the "olive oil" method of soaking copper coins. It takes too long and doesn't work very well (my opinion). Silver Coins There are several ways to make silver coins look very presentable. Occasionally you can dig a silver coin out of the ground that looks great. Ok, more than on occasion because silver actually fares very well in the soil compared to copper. I use a soft toothbrush with warm water and soap. That is usually all they need. The examples above also have silver coins included in the picture. They were all cleaned with just a toothbrush. This is the best example. Sometimes silver does get stained or so encrusted that you have to use other methods. You can use electrolysis or the vinegar solution. They will also turn a dull silver color. Now you have another problem that has to be addressed...the dull color on a nice silver coin. Well, I use a product called Wrights Silver Cream. It will take the dull away, I guarantee it! It can be purchased at your local grocery store or jewelry shop. I have also used it on silver coins without soaking them in vinegar and they still come out very presentable. There is one problem with using the silver cream. They will be shiny looking when you are finished with them. An example can be found here. See how shiny it is. It actually caused the light on the scanner to reflect causing a bad scan. It actually looks better visually looking at it. The 1874 dime that I recovered last June had to be cleaned with the silver cream. It had a bad black stain on it but now it looks pretty good. Sure, it hurt the value somewhat, but it is not for sale and I don't have to look at that black stain anymore. You have to decide for yourself whether or not to clean an old silver coin. The 1878 dime was cleaned up with just a toothbrush and it looks just fine. That is about it for cleaning silver coins. Anything more than what is described above and I think you would run the risk of ruining your coin. The bottom line on silver is, try cleaning it with a toothbrush in warm soapy water. Next try the silver cream and as a last resort, soak it in the vinegar solution. Silver rings can be cleaned up nice on a buffing wheel with Wrights Silver Cream. I have gotten incredible results using this method on silver rings. One last note on the silver cream. That black stuff you see when cleaning the coin or ring...that is silver being taken off of the surface! You be the judge. How Not to Clean Coins Do not use muratic acid to clean your coins. It is a mild solution of hydrochloric acid (HCL). Yes, I have used it on coins and ruined a good Flying Eagle cent and two shield nickels. It only takes seconds to reduce the coin to nothing more than a slug. I also tried it on an aluminum token. It dissolved it completely. The same goes for sulfuric and nitric acid. Unless you are trying to make slugs, avoid using them. Acid is very dangerous and should be used outdoors with plenty of ventilation. Don't use gasoline, bleach, chlorox, ammonia or any combination of common household cleaners. They won't clean coins as good as what I have described above. Learn from my mistakes. I worked in a laboratory back in the 70's and tried the various acid's using a hood to vent the vapors. The results were awful to put it mildly. DON'T USE ACID TO CLEAN YOUR COINS!!! It is not worth it.

One last note. Refer back to rule number one!

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