Metal Detecting Perth’s Swan River
18 CT Ladies Gold and Diamond Ring - Swan River Metal Detecting Find
Recently I have not had much time to do any metal detecting, as my partner and I have just bought a Post Office and News Agency in my rural town in the Great Southern of Western Australia, Dumbleyung. We have been very busy doing some training courses in Perth.
Swan River Metal Detecting Finds
But last week I found the time whilst I was in Perth to head down to the Swan River for a few hours to do a bit of treasure hunting on the sandy banks of the Swan River.
Mens Silver Ring as I found it
I decided to find a new metal detecting spot, so I had a look through my Street Directory and I found a nice little spot where there would be a good chance to find some rings, relics and coins, an area which has been well used by people for the last 100 years or more.
I have uploaded photos of what I found that day and evening, and also before and after photos after I have cleaned my finds, such as the Silver Ring above and below.
Mens Silver Ring - after Electrolsys Cleaning
The place when I went metal detecting, was Clarkson Reserve on the Maylands Foreshore.
When I was there, I met a curious lady who asked me what I was doing. Her name was Jenny Seaton, a media, radio and television personality who currently has her own program on Curtin FM a radio station broadcasting in the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia.
Beautiful Art Deco Broach
So today she is going to interview me on the radio, so thats a bit exciting and a first for me.
I told Jenny I would post photos of the items I found that night for her listeners to look at.
I found some great items, especially the Ladies 18ct Gold and Diamond Ring, which I found in about 3 foot of water. And also the Mens Silver Wave Ring which was in about the same depth.
So here is what I found on the evening I met Jenny on the Swan.
If your interested in seeing what I have recently found, please go to my other website Metal Detecting Photos or just click on the links below.
Favourite Finds
- 18 CT Ladies Gold and Diamond Ring
- Mens Silver Wave Ring
- Gold Chain
- Silver Chain with Silver Love Heart Pendant
- Ladies Hair or Chest Broach
- Beautiful Silver Hair Broach – Found buried under Grass
- Beautiful Brass Art Deco Broach – Found under Paperbark Tree
- WW2 Anti Aircraft Bullet Shell Base Marking – FA 41 – Very Unusual Find on the Swan River
Other Finds
- 1945 Australian Penny
- 1945 Australian Penny
- Corroded Australian Penny (Date Unknown)
- Corroded Australian Penny (Date Unknown)
- 1927 Silver Three Pence
- 1910 Silver Three Pence
- 1953 Silver Three Pence
- 1956 Silver Three Pence
- Silver Six Pence – Date Unknown
- Around $20 in Australian Coins
- Heaps of Fishing Sinkers
- Very Old Toy Car – 1940’s
Have you lost your Ring or any Gold, Silver Item of Value?
If you have lost any Jewellery or Rings recently at any Perth Beaches, Swan River, Parks, Playgrounds or at your home in the garden, please get in quick and book me to hopefully find your Lost Jewellery
If I can’t help you, I’ll find someone who can, I have some good metal detecting contacts who have helped me in the past.
How much do I charge?
I charge nothing at all to search for your lost item, but my services is based on a reward only if found basis that is, if I find your lost ring, jewellery etc, then it is up to you what you’d like to give me as a reward.
A small fuel surcharge may be required depending on the distance I need to travel.
If I don’t find your lost item, then I don’t expect anything.
I do not hire out my metal detectors.
Metal Detecting Local Farm House
Old Brick Australian Homestead
A few days ago I got permission from a local farmer in my district of Dumbleyung, in Western Australia, to see if I could do a bit of coin shooting on his property around a abandoned farm house.
I was pretty happy he said yes, and yesterday I found the time to go out there with my metal detector. It was pretty hard going, as the wild oats growing around the house are pretty high, the ground was quite hard in spots, and I was a bit worried about getting biten by a wandering snake.
Over the last couple of days, the weather has been quite hot, reach the low 30° and thats what brings the snakes out around here, especially the first few hot days as summer apporaches, will bring them out of their hybernation.
There is actually another house on the same property, and that house is much older than the house I detected around, so I decided to save the best house for my next metal detecting journey.
Anyhow I found a few nice old coins around the house as per below.
1916 Australian Penny
See more of my metal detecting photos
Probably much more laying around the house, but it was hot and getting prickles stuck in my socks was really annoying, so I packed up and went home after around an hour metal detecting the house.
Anzac Badge Found
Old Timber Australian House
I got permission from a local farmer a few days ago to go metal detecting around an old house on his propery which is pictured above.
The ground was absolutely rock hard, and I actually bent my spades blade trying to dig for targets. I actually saw this old house from the road one day and I thought that it could be a goldmine for old coins and relics, but as I say, digging was impossible.
However I did find a few coins and a nice old ANZAC Badge.
ANZAC Bagde - Australian Commonwealth Forces - WW2 Era
Proudly worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces in both World Wars, the ‘Rising Sun’ badge has become an integral part of Digger tradition.
The distinctive shape, worn on the upturned brim of a slouch hat, is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC.
Yet despite the badge’s historic significance, well researched theories as to its origin are more numerous than its seven points.
In 1902 a badge was urgently sought for the Australian contingents raised after Federation for service in South Africa during the Boer War.
Probably the most widely-accepted version of the origin of this badge is that which attributes the selection of its design to a British officer, Major General Sir Edward Hutton, KCB, KCMG, the newly appointed Commander-in-chief of the Australian Forces.
He had earlier received as a gift from Brigadier General Joseph Gordon, a military acquaintance of long standing, a “Trophy of Arms” comprising mounted cut and thrust swords and triangular Martini Henri bayonets arranged in a semicircle around a brass crown. To Major General Hutton the shield was symbolic of the co-ordination of the Naval and Military Forces of the Commonwealth.
A refurbished replica of the shield is on display in the main foyer of Army Headquarters in Canberra. (Figure 1).
The original design, created and produced in haste for issue to the contingent departing to South Africa, was modified in 1904. This badge(Figure 2), was worn through both World Wars.
Since its inception the Basic form of the 1904 version has remained unchanged although modifications have been made to the wording on the scroll and to the style of crown.
In 1949, when Corps and Regimental Badges were reintroduced into service, the wording on the scroll of the “Rising Sun” Badge was changed to read “Australian Military Forces”. (Figure 3).
Twenty years later, the badge was again modified to incorporate the Federation Star and Torse Wreath from the original 1902 version of the badge and the scroll wording changed to “Australia” (Figure 4).
In the 75th anniversary year of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli there arose a desire to return to the traditional accoutrements worn by Australian soldiers during the World Wars and which clearly identify the Australian Army. (Figure 5). The recent change coincides with the 90th anniversary of the Army which was commemorated on 1st March 1991.
Read more about ANZAC Badges
Old House Metal Detecting Finds
Pictured above, I also found the following
- Candle Extinguisher? (Silver Spoon)
- WW2 Era ANZAC Badge
- Brass WW2 Era Army Button
- Decimal Coins
Dolphin Ring – Found Ascot Rowing Club
Dolphin Ring Found Metal Detecting at Ascot Rowing Club - Perth
Did you lose your Dolphin Ring at the Ascot Rowing Club on the Swan River near Perth?
I was metal detecting there last weekend during the night, did not find much apart from the Dolphin Ring which is pictured above.
The ring was found on the banks of the Swan River, probably where the rowers launch their boats, no doubt the ring may of slipped of someones finger as they were bringing there boat to shore.
There was aslo a sandy playground, opposite the Ascot Rowing Club, so I thought I’d give that a try also, found a couple dollars and a couple of K9 Dog Tags, nothing too special. But more money to add to my pirates chest!
Coins and K9 Dog Tags Found Metal Detecting at Ascot Rowing Club - Perth
How to clean Silver and Copper Coins
- Very Corroded Australian 1919 Penny – Salt Water Metal Detecting Find
Click to Enlarge
When metal detecting in Rivers, Lakes and the Ocean, I find heaps of coins, and alot of the Coins of Australia I find are Pre-Decimal Australian Coins (Pre 1966 before the Australian Dollar and Cent was introduced and Pounds, Penny, Half Penny, Pence, Shilling, Six Pence and Three pence were removed) These Coins are either Silver such as the Florin, Six Pence and the Three Pence or are Copper, such as the Penny and Half Penny. Silver coins left in Salty or Fresh water for long periods of time do not corrode, but depending on the water movement, whether strong, or calm, these silver coins can still be damaged, such as being washed over the sand and shell grit over and over for many years, this will damage the coin, such as scratching it, wearing the face away, and putting little dings in the coin.
No different really than find a stone in the water which has been worn smooth over thousands of years of rolling in the water, once probably jaggard, now nice and round. Copper Coins left in Salty or Fresh water will definitely corrode, even if left in the water for very short periods of time, corrosion will start almost straight away. With the silver coins I find in the water, most of the time, they are tarnished black, this is a normal process of what happens to silver when left in a moist environment for long periods of time. Coins which have been left in the water for many years can become a home to microscopic crustaceans, shell grit and sand. Below is a photo of a coin which is encrusted with sand and shell grit.
The 1953 Australian Florin Covered in Sand and Shell Grit
Click to Enlarge
To clean the silver coins I find, I usually use three or four steps as follows:
Impatient Coin Cleaning Method
- Soak in hot soapy water for around 24hours
- Start the Electrolysis Coin Cleaning Method / clean with water and use thumb and finger to gently clean coin under running water
- Soak in Ammonia for 24 hours
- clean with silver cleaner and soft cloth
Note: (DO NOT CLEAN COPPER COINS USING THE ABOVE ELECTROLYSIS METHOD YOU WILL DAMAGE THE COIN, USE THE BELOW COIN CLEANING METHOD)
Patient Cleaning Method
Clean Silver or Copper Coins in Olive Oil or Distilled Water
Worn and Damaged 1953 Australian Florin - Swan River Metal Detecting Find - Cleaned using Electrolysis and Amonia Soaking
Click to Enlarge
The above Silver Florin was found by myself metal detecting on the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia.
5 Minute Metal Detecting Finds
Yesterday I was driving past an old house just outside of town, and thought I would give the detector a quick try, I only had around 5 minutes to spare and I couldn’t resit the urge to do some detecting.
I found a few interesting things under the white ant eaten floorboards the old house, and this is what I found in 5 minutes.
A beautiful 1918 Australian Penny in near mint condition was the most notable and favorite out of the 2 finds in five minutes.
1918 Australian Penny
Egyptian Style Copper Pendant - Not Old
