I've played intensely all weekend for 3 beta weekends and have yet to see one. I didn't know to search Coldharbour before they nerfed those chests. Do they still drop? I've searched every single dresser, nightstand and desk I've seen and zero success. Nada. Rien. Zilch. Butkus.

Is there a trick to it?

Yet to see one myself either, but guildmate said he found one on a random NPC he killed. Guessing they're just low % world drops.

They aren't in Cold Harbor anymore--the only place I have ever run into them. I've killed a lot of enemies and looted a lot of drawers, nightstands, trunks, etc., but still haven't seen any there. And, food recipes are getting harder to find as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEfymeqIWhY

I actually found many more food recipes (although many were duplicates) than the other Beta weekend I played (early March). Also, i found one racial motif book this time as well (none last time).

So, I'm guess RNG is Random is the appropriate answer. (Also, possibly due to getting dropped off in a larger starting area this time, it's possible I just found more unlooted good nodes this time -- and recipes/books don't drop from crates and barrels, I believe).

I gave up on them even existing. I've tried since crafting hit the beta and across 8 characters and 30+ hrs in every weekend, I have located one. It was in a chest in a bank ( random loot ).

To me, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it will hinder players from walking around with a "master of all" credentials a week after launch.

Found one in a Daggerfall nightstand last beta weekend.

I found a few on the last 2 betas but none this weekend.