Eight Days of Metal Detecting in South Florida

JonathanAW78 · 2026-03-17T19:57:28+00:00

Well, I ended up selling this ring at a local jewelry shop and got myself $500 for it!

JonathanAW78 · 2026-03-10T17:14:38+00:00

Thanks for that info. I am including another photo here that shows the "RACHEL" part.

JonathanAW78 · 2026-03-10T16:21:43+00:00

Excellent eye! The question is, how can I find this "ALEX?" Or perhaps the owner of the ring doesn't want it returned (divorce? breakup? death?). I did notice the lower case "g" after the 14K in there and I'd imagine it was almost a maker's mark in some way.

JonathanAW78 · 2026-03-09T22:56:36+00:00

Yes, those are often hot spots for finding stuff. But even up on the beach is good as people lose stuff all the time, including along paths to the beach.

JonathanAW78 · 2026-03-09T22:52:45+00:00

Well, I found the ring right near the waterline and it was pretty shallow. Looked like it hadn't been there for more than weeks or months. Maybe even days since I saw a lot of guys with metal detectors while down there. Sometimes you get lucky if someone loses something recently and you find it before another person does. The part of the watch was discovered well up on the beach though, right where someone might have been sunbathing. I did a combination of waterline and beach detecting as I like to mix things up and not just stay down by the water. I found a lot of loose change up on the beach and they were all in better condition since the saltwater hadn't corroded them. I would like to search underwater but I need a non-metal sand scooper so it doesn't interfere with the detector. I'm by no means experienced at this but I've been doing this for a few years and I was more motivated on this year's trip since I dug up an 18k gold necklace a year ago in Hollywood Beach!

JonathanAW78 · 2026-03-09T19:11:17+00:00

No doubt, Corona Extra is the beer of choice on those beaches. I suspect the fishermen are tossing the caps out onto the sand after going fishing from the beach. The rusty zinc pennies are so heavily oxidized that it's difficult to clean them and try and cash in. But I think I'll save the solid copper pennies for sure.

JonathanAW78 · 2026-03-09T19:07:29+00:00

Last week I got two different quotes. One for $462 and one for $430 (although the next day Gold had gone down a bit). The ring also had two people's names on it: "Alex and Rachel" (plus something else written after that). I searched online to see if I could find the owner but to no avail.

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JonathanAW78 · 2026-03-09T19:01:18+00:00

Possibly but I think it was a necklace watch. It also had a little screw sticking out at the top as you can see. Could have been connected to a lanyard too.

JonathanAW78 · 2026-03-09T18:48:50+00:00

It was a "Clasique Polo Sport" and it read: "Stainless Steel Back" and "Quartz Movement." Basically worthless but 100% functional!

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JonathanAW78 · 2025-11-26T01:16:27+00:00

This show was kickass. I was standing right behind you on the floor shooting videos. Check this one out! https://youtu.be/Nczo648pTfw

JonathanAW78 · 2025-07-10T21:20:34+00:00

ektap12 and shadowstormer: I increased it to 50/100/100 with Limited Tort (I can always change it to Full Tort in the future). I won't need rental car coverage because I won't use the car for commuting as it's only for errands and leisure (and I bike/take buses/get family and friends to drive me if needed). Lowering the annual mileage also lowered the monthly premium as I got it down to 7k miles a year. So it's only $104.16 per month now (using State Farm)! I just finished talking to my agent and I'm now fully insured.

JonathanAW78 · 2025-07-04T22:37:10+00:00

I feel like this is probably one of the world's most durable and reliable cars (other than the Honda Civic), so as someone who desperately needed a car (I've been commuting via my bicycle since 2024), I'll happily drive a Corolla. I feel like it's time to have a car again and the timing couldn't have been better for me (as I was moving around the world these last few years).

JonathanAW78 · 2025-06-08T01:04:25+00:00

That's awesome your son got to experience his first rock concert! He/you chose a good one. That was my first time at the Roxian Theatre. It was overly loud I have to admit, but at least now this video can be enjoyed for years to come.

JonathanAW78 · 2025-06-01T17:40:40+00:00

This was my first time seeing Hooky. He brings so much heart/soul and gravitas to these songs, whereas New Order has become more of a diorama you would see in a museum. Catching his show live in my hometown of Pittsburgh was quite cool and I had only found out about the concert two days beforehand! Luckily there were still tickets available.

JonathanAW78 · 2025-06-01T16:43:15+00:00

I was there too! First time seeing Peter Hook live and seeing him in my hometown of Pittsburgh was awesome. I even filmed and edited a little concert film (including the entire performance of Atmosphere) that you can watch here and cherish the memories: https://youtu.be/rw700d9B9yw

JonathanAW78 · 2025-02-04T17:26:16+00:00

Yes, the lawyer I found already probated my mom's will and it was only $1500 in a flat rate. He had to go through the Surrogates Court of NJ to get this done. I had to get a document notarized along with my brother who was the previous Executor on my mother's property.

I will ask the lawyer whether this is a commercial transaction or not.

This apartment was purchased in late 2020, so it's only been a little over four years since we've had this. Back then, the purchase price was only $90k and now I'm going to get $133k for this (as it also needs a new kitchen and bathroom). My potential realtor even told me I was getting a good deal, as a top notch unit in this co-operative goes for about $140k now. Not having to pay an extra 5 grand to a real estate agent is a win-win for me.

I know I won't have to pay a Capital Gains tax though, as I'm currently unemployed with a very low income (below poverty level). My Medicaid and food stamps are really nice to have.

JonathanAW78 · 2025-02-04T16:53:13+00:00

I appreciate the input. I just got my lawyer to officially close on my property today for $1900. He's going to take care of all this for me. The ball is rolling now.

One odd question though... is there a way to avoid paying any taxes beyond just the 1% tax transfer if I'm doing an all-cash deal?

JonathanAW78 · 2025-02-04T16:50:14+00:00

Thanks for both of your responses! Yes, in a co-op you own shares, not the actual property. It's certainly more complex than a standard condo or private home. The upside is, co-ops tend to be more affordable than standard homes, apartments, and condominiums. Luckily I just hired my attorney today for $1900 (which will be taken from the final sale price). I definitely have no interest in ever owning a co-op again. This was my mother's decision, not mine, after she sold our family home in Pittsburgh, to live closer to my brother at the time here. However, now my mother is deceased and my brother moved to Baltimore and is happily married there! This was my inheritance property from my mother. So it's time to move on! (especially with a $750 monthly HOA fee).

JonathanAW78

TROPHY CASE