Treasure hunter's persistence pays off with rare Spanish coin discovery on Nantucket beach

A mysterious 18th-century coin recently resurfaced on a beach in Nantucket, thanks to one determined metal detectorist.

Hobbyist Travis Nichols found the coin — a 1782 silver Spanish one-reale — at a beach on the south shore of the island, according to an Oct. 9 report by the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror. 

Nichols is known in the local community, the publication said, for helping others find jewelry and other metal objects they've lost on Nantucket's beaches.

COUPLE STUNNED AS TUDOR-ERA TREASURE SURFACES BENEATH THEIR BACKYARD GARDEN

But his sights were always on historic coinage: He boasts more than 300 coins in his private collection, something he said he cherishes.

Speaking to the Inquirer and Mirror, Nichols said that finding the rare coin was "an amazing feeling."

"Is returning a $25,000 ring super-important and community-focused? Absolutely," Nichols said of helping his neighbors.

"But selfishly, finding a $30 silver coin is the top."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

He told the same source he believes that, based on its marks, the coin was minted in Mexico City.

Nichols said the coin is relatively young, as Nantucket detectorists have found coins dating back to the 1650s on the island.

"This coin came from Mexico City, somehow sailed to New England and then probably took another ship to Nantucket," Nichols said. He mused, "What was it doing on the south shore?" 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

The spot where the coin was found appears to be promising. Nichols previously found a historic penny there — notably, it was clipped to half its value.

"To think on Nantucket, a penny was too much money," the detectorist remarked.

All in all, the hobbyist said he's interested in patrolling the spot to see what else will turn up.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"It’s a popular beach spot," he said. "I’ve just got to see what else is there."

Nichols now joins a number of other metal detectorists who have found unusual coins this year.

Marius Mangeac, a metal detectorist in Romania, spoke with Fox News Digital in May after uncovering 1,469 ancient Roman coins.

Over the summer, a group of friends in Poland uncovered pots filled with coins and hundreds of grams of gold during a search for German V-2 rockets.

'No Kings' agitator vowed to ‘fight ICE’ with firebombs at blue city's protest: report

An upstate New York man was arrested in the Big Apple after allegedly claiming he was traveling to attack federal agents on the same day thousands of people took to the streets to participate in the nationwide "No Kings" protests. 

David Cox, 54, was taken into custody in Brooklyn on Saturday after he claimed to have firebombs in his vehicle and planned to "fight ICE agents" at the Manhattan protest, The New York Post reported.

Cox allegedly made the threats while speaking to a bystander at an upstate gas station on Friday night, the NYPD said. 

PROTESTERS NATIONWIDE HOLD 'NO KINGS' RALLIES AMID GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

After Cox left, the bystander called local authorities to report the pair’s conversation. 

The next day, as 100,000 demonstrators flooded the city’s streets for a "No Kings" rally, authorities were alerted that Cox’s vehicle had crossed into Brooklyn, and he was taken into custody without incident, according to the NYPD

Police did not locate any firebombs or weapons inside Cox’s vehicle, The Post reported. 

WATCH: 'NO KINGS' PROTESTERS AT MASSIVE NYC RALLY REVEAL MOTIVATION FOR TAKING TO THE STREETS: 'DISGUSTING'

Cox is charged with making a terroristic threat, false report of terrorism and making a threat of mass harm, police said. 

The charges come after tens of thousands of protesters spoke out against President Donald Trump’s administration in the nationwide demonstrations, with attendees often clad in satirical costumes and carrying signs. 

Despite the large crowds descending on the Big Apple, no protest-related arrests were made, according to the NYPD. 

'NO KINGS' ORGANIZER DISCOURAGES VIOLENCE FOLLOWING COAST-TO-COAST ARRESTS

However, three people were arrested in Portland after federal authorities were forced to deploy tear gas on protesters when one rally turned violent. Additionally, 15 people were arrested at a protest outside a Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility. 

Fox News Digital was unable to immediately locate an attorney representing Cox. 

About Us

Virtus (virtue, valor, excellence, courage, character, and worth)

Vincit (conquers, triumphs, and wins)