“All that glitters is not gold” (or silver)
~ William Shakespeare

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The Silver Dime and 60 Years

If you see two dimes, one new and shiny and the other a little worn and tarnished, given the option, most people will choose the shiny one, not realizing the tarnished dime is worth more than ten cents, because it is actually an old, weathered silver dime. Rub at the tarnish, and the silver dime is shiny and very valuable.

Belize River Lodge is like the old dime, the old dame of the jungle. Even though lots of new construction is being done in Belize, this Historical Lodge stands modestly in her lush jungle setting. She has been around for 60 years this year, offering the best in fishing diversity, the best tasting food in Belize and some of the best service, full of warm and friendly smiles and unassuming attentiveness.

The buildings at the Lodge are of the traditional Colonial Style. They are built on stilts, old style, but for a specific reason. This helps with ventilation, keeping rooms cooler, but also as the river rises during flood times, Belize River Lodge is protected. We have never had water inside our buildings to date, even during Hurricane Hattie in 1961 when the flood water that year was above the 2020 flood stage. The front yard grass turned to rich mud full of nutrients, brought by the river in flood. In a few weeks the Rainforest Jungle will return the front yard to its regal green state.

Now turning 60 years this year, the aged mahogany, interspersed with cedar, which holds up her walls, ceilings and floors are worth millions; they quietly do their job hosting guests from around the world. The beautiful 40”, 1 piece slab mahogany tables that we enjoy our daily meals are awesome and value is unknown. Mahogany trees that size are no longer felled, but the comradery made over fishing stories is invaluable. The meals provided by our Lodge cooks are world renowned to be some of the tastiest in Belize; combining Belizean, Creole, American and other tastes from around the world to make flavourful combinations. Our cooks are also known for their varied menus created to accommodate food allergies, restrictions and diets.

Our fishing remains some of the best in Belize with diverse fishing grounds of the flats, rivers, mangrove cayes, channels and coastline. Offering up a variety of fishing for sports fishing anglers, spin or fly, desiring to fish Bonefish, Permit, Snook, Tarpon, Jacks, ‘Cudas, Snappers and more. Our guides will cater to your fishing requests, with a smile and helpfulness that rivals all.

Mike and Marguerite have been your hosts at the Lodge since 1986, 35 years, owners of the Historical Belize River Lodge. They managed the Lodge for 2 years prior when it was known as KCS, before KCS it was Barothy’s Lodge, totaling 60 years. They have hosted many groups and singles over the years, famous and every day anglers, who all received the same “personalized treatment of a 5 Star resort, without all the pomp and circumstance” (quoted from a guest). They truly care about your vacation and have trained their crew/family, to feel the same.

While The Historical Belize River Lodge may not have the shine of glass and plastic or shall we say a newly minted dime, Belize River Lodge, proven by time, has shown she has the durability of the old silver dime, more valuable within than can be seen, without taking a closer look.

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A 60 Year Old Silver Dime

by Marguerite Miles

Along the road of time, unbeknown to me,
I found a 60 year old silver dime
I rubbed it with my foot
To see if I should pick it up
And rubbed again, this time with my boot,
I looked and saw it shine
And between two fingers I held it like a cup
To keep it safe so it would not drop
This was a gift, of this I was sure
Because for 60 years, it still looked so pure
I rubbed it more and as I did so
The tarnish started to disappear
And to my eye, I could not believe,
What was being revealed
This little 60 year old silver dime, that had been concealed
For such a long time
Was more valuable than a new shinny one given to me.

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Note: Dimes were composed of 89.24% silver and the rest copper from 1796 to 1837. In 1827, with the introduction of the Seated Liberty dime, silver percentage was increased to 90.0%.

With the Coinage Act of 1965, the dime’s silver content was removed. Dimes from 1965 to present are struck from a clad metal composed of outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy, bonded to a pure copper core.

~ Wikipedia

Since we sent this email out, a friend, guest and avid coin collector sent a note “To a coin collector, when silver is cleaned and polished, the value is diminished significantly. Many collectors only want coins with tarnish. If a coin is properly tarnished, it adds to its value.”   Thanks for the in-sight, Mr. Bruce M.

Newly minted shiny dime

Historical, tarnished from age, valuable Silver Dime

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“An open mind allows you to enjoy wonderful pleasure and adventures untold.”
~ Marguerite Miles

><((*> Catch and Release – Tarpon, Bonefish & Permit <*))><
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