Now this is weird... (Update... the pieces of the mystery are finally coming together!)

lordmarcovan

EDIT: I have edited this post and others that mentioned the exact site of this find, and removed the picture of the site, in light of the potential significance of the find. While I had verbal permission to hunt the site twelve years ago, I do not remember who granted that permission, and I do not know who's in charge at that church today. I believe some discretion is due, here- I hope you understand.

Since this story emerged in bits and pieces, mostly on these very forums, many of you got to watch the tale evolve and the mystery deepen, right here. I have now stitched together the loose bits of narrative into a complete "Digger's Diary" thread with the whole story (at least, as far as it has developed thus far).

The story and find have made the "Best Of TreasureNet" category on treasurenet.com, and hopefully will be published in a future issue of Western & Eastern Treasures magazine. Much of the story remains to be written, and certain aspects of this find will likely remain a mystery and/or controversy among scholars.

Here is the full story from my point of view, as it now stands. Further research into the find may reveal more.

DIGGER'S DIARY: The Mysterious Ming Medallion

Lambeau

Wow that's a wild story. Maybe a little oops? Lol, well maybe he'll reason for a refund...

Zot

He's being most cryptic in his communication too! A picture and message like that would drive me nuts with curiosity!
I look forward to hearing more details... I assume you're going to squeeze some more info out of Dr. Lee?

DUBBA

bizarre!....can't wait to hear the rest of the story!....keep us posted.

kevinstang

Oh no, maybe the world is really going to end on August 22, you have unleashed an ancient curse- buried as far away from China as possible- or so they thought then.

WillieBoyd2

Pre-Columbian Chinese sailors discovering America?

comoncents

I have a feeling that disc is worth more than $20.00. It may even be unique.

Riccar

It looks like some things we've dug out here in CA... in the old "Chinatown" areas.

I pulled something like that but my find was a rectangular object (with the Chinese script in the center).

I'm pretty sure DemoDigger pulled something like it too... I forget what he said it is (I'll ping him on PM).

millennium

Famous words to live by:


"Never sell anything that you do not know the value of".....

HKnJ

Man, that is WILD!

I wonder what that is.........

Wizardsguildcards

I would be wanting to know more about this item too.

I cannot help notice it was dug in a graveyard. I have always thought about detecting in old cemetaries, but always felt it was taboo. What is everyones take on it?

lordmarcovan

demodigger

over here we had alot of chinese towns. in my city, the chinatown moved at least 5 times during the late 1800's. a friend of mine dug a bottle hole, last year that brought up many kanjii stamped metal containers. i took many of them home. i was told they were tobbacco tins. the area we were digging in, i think was some kind of "shady" part of town. we dug many opium vials and even a few opium pipe bowls.

Dockwalliper

Once you get the rest of the story it sounds like it would make a great article for one of the treasure mags.

MPeter

Is that Chinese lettering on there or little pictograms? Maybe you'll be surprised real soon when it turns up as the Bronze medal design at the next Olympics in Beijing! Any way to get a closer look at the symbols. You've peaked my interest.

MPeter

Sorry.....not a closer look, but a larger look.

lordmarcovan

Riccar

I dug through my "find-boxes," pulled the item I mentioned and threw it on the scanner...

Here's what DemoDigger called the "tobacco tin" and a couple opium bottles found in the same area:



Different, but interesting... wonder what the script in the center says... "smoke 'em if you gottum"? or "I'd walk a mile..."?

lordmarcovan

Riccar

True. As I pulled this piece out of the box, that was the first thing I noticed... it's kinda thin and flimsy compared to the item you found.

gene2393

so whats this person email who bouht the item?


gene2393

joecheck

<<lordmarcovan>>

I recently saw a picture of that coin and I can't remember where I saw it. I am racking my brain over it. I know it will come to me, eventually. I can't remember if I saw it in print or on the internet. I will have to think about it.

marym

LM, have you had any further luck identifying that "whatzit"? Has Dr Lee sent you any more information? I've been trying to research it myself, but without success. Mary

worldcoinguy

Fascinating story! I am curious to read the 'last chapter' of this one.....

marym

LM, here's another thought! The picture you have is quite clear, have you considered tracking down someone who could interpet the Chinese writings? That might lead you to the answer of "whatzit". Didn't we have a regular poster here whose wife was Chinese? Bone-Boy I called him, who was that?

CROCKofCOINS

>>Bone-Boy I called him, who was that? <<

Hammie :-)

Jerry

lordmarcovan

lordmarcovan

lordmarcovan

Man

Dude you had a whole new view of history in your hands.

lordmarcovan

Man

Lordm the forum he has basically calls Dr. Lee a fool and Americans dumb. LINK>

lordmarcovan

Man

Things I find strange:

1. Any good researcher would list your name and the fact it was a metal detecting find made years ago.

2. Is it me or did he polish and clean it. That is a big no-no as every grain of dirt is important.

3. The second he saw your picture he new what you might have and if real can be worth a fortune, he didn't have to tell you but....still. That is like a YN having a 1933 double eagle and me saying I'll take it off your hands for $50.


For those who care to believe here is an interesting read LINK>

lordmarcovan

Man

I do hope you're feeling better now.


So lets say he did all the proper things to verify the arifact.
Then it is real and found at a cemetary maybe one of the buried folks is part Cherokee and after the Christian burial the Cherokee-family had a ceremony and placed this around the dead-folks grave.

Since the object was a gift to the Cherokees by the Chinese leaders.
That would make it a Indian burial artifact and according to Cherokee laws must be returned to the tribe for reburial.

Okay I'm sleep-deprived and maybe off but that sounds good.

By the way if they make this into a movie lordmarcovan should be played by Nicholas Cage, call it National Treasure 3.

lordmarcovan

Man

Here is his explanation of how it was found.


<< <i>He said he bought the medal from “someone who lived in the area where it was found.”
He would not reveal the cost, saying only that he paid much less than the C$560 Liu did for his map. >>



Sounds better with each bit of info uncovered. I wish I knew Chinese becuase he has several interviews online without translations.

lordmarcovan

lordmarcovan

Man

Um...um.....Stop selling things you find unless you completely exhausted all avenues.

I found a heavily double clashed dime from 2000 and I'm not giving it up until I see another sell online.


Lee does have some odd quotes showing little understanding of Cherokee culture

<< <i> "Lee said this was amazing, considering that they were so backward that they did not even have a language of their own." >>

lordmarcovan

Man

Even if it is it will change nothing because they did find the Viking village up in Nova Scotia.

The did find African style statues in South America.

Yet Columbus is still the number 1 explorer.

IndianHeadMan

Cool story Lord. The Brass does look a bit too refined for the time period. The only way to tell would be to compare to other Chineese coins of the time.

Neat story and i hope you at least get one of those posters, Lord.

WillieBoyd2

On August 15 I posted:
"Pre-Columbian Chinese sailors discovering America"

Was I right?
Was I right!

I thought the Irish monk Brendan discovered America.
Or Baghdad's Sinbad the Sailor.
Maybe the Romans who left a lot of their coins to be dug up.

This is an old story:

Irish monk Brendan and Baghdad's Sinbad arrive in America at the same time.

Sinbad invites Brendan aboard his ship and offers him a choice of his harem girls.

Brendan replies "But sir, I am a priest".

Sinbad then says "We have some nice cabin boys, too".

MPeter

Hey man, look at it this way. If it is true, you are the one that discovered it and you have the original photo and story on this forum to back you up. Maybe you should post on his forum to let everyone know that he bought a priceless piece of Chinese history for $20 bucks. All I know, is that I'm more excited to see what you dig up next!

goldrush00013

This is a very interesting post. I'll have to follow it further.

mojoman

Great story,I just got my M.DETECTOR working ,hitting the beaches, old school yards .farm house etc before the winter hits keep us upated

silversanta

Probably the most interesting thread I've read here. Add in the bonus Bust half dollar story, and it's now the most interesting thread. What's up with that half dollar that someone would bid $7,000 on Ebay!

Thanks LM, this was better than TV tonight.

lordmarcovan

IndianHeadMan

Cool.. Great "ending" Lord. It's neat to be part of history!!