Metal detecting holidays in England with the World's most successful metal detecting club.

Twinned with Midwest Historical Research Society USA

 

  • March 2009 finds page III

    Pretty 18 carat gold ring - Continental hallmarks I have not seen before - no idea of date so reported to Colchester museum as potential treasure

    .750 *18 AA CP

    20.44mm,1.27g

    Victorian jewellry item with glass stone
    17thC Willliam III milled silver sixpence - love token (226)
    1649 Commonwealth hammered silver penny
    20thC Colchester Co operative society 1 pence token
    19thC Russian lead bale seal
    1550 -1650 buckle
    1830's trade weight - London guildhall hallmark
    1670's Charles II milled copper farthing
    C14thC Medieval lead knights head mount
    17thC Wiiliam III milled silver sixpence (227)

    Unrecorded one piece military button

    '1st L Essex'

    17thC crotal bell with heart foundary mark
    1667 Thomas Waterford of Marshfield Gloucestershire hammered copper trade farthing
    19thC Colchester 'Bedwell' token - Hill Street

     

    Yes, of course this is Faustina - that's pretty obvious. However there were 2 Faustinae, the wives of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius respectively. This is the 2nd, also known as "Faustina Junior". She and Marcus Aurelius were married in 145 AD. while he was still Caesar under Antoninus Pius and raised to the rank of Augusta in 147. So her coinage exists in several phases: those struck by Antoninus Pius before, then after becoming Augusta, those struck by Marcus Aurelius during her life, and those struck in her honor posthumously. she and Marcus evidently had a closer relationship than that enjoyed by most Imperial couples - Faustina accompanied or visited him throughout his military career in far-flung outposts while fighting the Germans. For this, she became known as "Matri Castrorum" - "Mother of the Camps". This piece was struck by Marcus Aurelius while she was still living, sometime between his elevation to Augustus in 161 and her death in 175. The reverse type, which is a bit hard to read in its present condition is "SALVS" - the allegorical personification of Salus ("health", but as in "the Health of the Empire" or "of the body-public", etc.) seated left feeding a serpent arising from a low altar at her feet. This is a pretty obscure reference for us at this remove in time, but it was full of important symbolism for the Romans. Whether at that point in time it was still occurring that the Vestals and/or other faithful Roman women fed actual serpents in ceremonies from which all men were banned, I don't know. Ceremonies of this type were important well into the Imperatorial era. However, the image of this ceremony remained a part of the Roman psyche and symbolized the "Purity" or "Virtue" of the Empire to the extent that it could interact with serpents and not be harmed.

    Catalog - RIC III, 714 (of Marcus Aurelius), RSC 195, SR 5262.

    Mark


     

    Roman silver coin 'cooked' it to reveal the detail
    Huge 17thC decorated cow bell fragment with WG foundary mark
    1485 Henry VII hammered silver penny - York Archb Rotherham. Key below shield , no pillar to throne.
    Facinating copper coin - obv shows rider on horse and the back is the same as the Obv of a William III sixpence - must be an 18thC Condor token of some sort
    Neat lead face mount
    19thC trade weight - London guildhall hallmark
    Medieval knife pommel
    18thC Dutch lead cloth seal
    1625 Charles 1st hammered silver penny

    17thC token like the Obv of a Charles 1st coin with the shield and harp.

    The legend reads SVFFOLK which means it is a Suffolk token

    1477 Edward IV hammered silver half groat - Rose mintmark, C on breast

    Obv EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANCE

    Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR Canterbury mint

    Generic merchant navy button
    16thC Tudor seal spoon handle
    17thC mount with single integral lug
    George II trade weight - Crown G London mint
    Georgian key hole cover
    17thC mount with two integral lugs
    Georgian mount - 4 rivet fixings
    1697 William III milled silver sixpence (228)
    1558-60 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver penny - Lis mintmark 1st issue
    3- very rare 5th Dragoons guards buttons - Crimean war period - unrecorded in any ref book
    First cuff button ever found - V DG - 5th Dragoons guards buttons - Crimean war period
    Georgian buckle
    19thC livery button
    1579 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver three pence - Greek cross mintmark
    1550 -1650 buckle
    Georgian cuff link
    Small lead pot - possible gun powder measure

    1327 -1335 Edward III hammered silver penny Class 15d Florin Pre treaty Bury St Edmonds

    Obv EDWAR R ANGL DNS HYB

    Rev VILLA/SCIE/DMV/NDI - Bury St Edmunds mint

    1697 William III milled silver sixpence (229)
     
    Livery button
     
    Huge silver rim off a bowl

    Roman bronze finial
    1835 USA Liberty milled silver half dime (230)

     

     

    Bronze age sword handle blank - 146mm L x 59.96 mm W x 3.51mm T

    1204-5 King John hammered silver penny Class 5a

    Obv HENRICVS REX

    Rev GIFREI ON NOR - Gifrei of Norwich

    1935 George V milled silver shilling (231)
    1582 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpence - A mintmark 6th issue

    1573-8 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver half groat- Eglantine mintmark 4th issue

    This coin has me totally stumped !!

    First 1645 Charles 1st hammered silver three pence we have found - double struck coin which has obscured the mint mark. The coin has been rotated and double stuck and the combination of oval shield with this legend does not match. It is possible that it is a half groat and that the III behind bust is II. It could be a Tower half groat Group D, North 2254 but the crown is not that of a bust 4.

    I suspect this is a very rare coin as I cannot match it in JJ North's ref book. The normal Tower legend is IUS THRONUM FIRMAT and most have the CHRISTO legend. Some coins had the IUSTITA written in full.

    Is this an overstrike of a Ashby de la Zouche mint trying to cover the declaration coins in 1645/6 ? I will let the museum experts have a look when it is being recorded.

    Rev IUSTITA THORNUM FIRMAT

    17thC silver sixpence overstruck with RO and heart - love token (232)
    Melted 19thC silver religious medallion
    1604-19 James 1st hammered silver penny - no crown type 2nd issue
    1939 George V milled silver sixpence (233)

    1603 James 1st hammered silver six pence - 1st issue

    Obv JACOBVS D G ANG SCO FRAN ET HIBER REX

     

    Very interesting die type of a 10 to 40 AD Cunobelin 1/4 gold stater - note the blocked horse. Sent to Celtic Coin index for recording and more information on type 0.83g, 11.84mm

     

    1649 Commonwealth hammered silver penny
    Stunning find, 5th Dragoons guards buttons - Crimean war period - unrecorded in any ref book - that's our 6th find of this button including the 1st cuff example and now our first gilded example.
    1690 William and Mary milled silver one pence (234)

    Interesting medal with hollow centre and slot on edge and back ?

    LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE (legend translates to Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood)

    REPUBLIC FRANCAISE

    5 FRANCE

    16thC Elizabeth hammered silver penny
    Tiny 1843 Victorian milled silver one and a half pence (235)

    Interesting Roman widget - hollow tube with tang - needs more research
    Great Western Railways button
    WWI Royal Cyclist Corp
    Victorian Gilded jewellry item with green stone
    1844 Victorian gold half sovereign
    17thC mount with 2 integral lugs
    16thC Tudor button
    Royal artillery cap badge
    Post medieval lead bales seal
    Military button - not checked ref books yet
    Neat glass bottle stopper
    1840 Victorian milled silver 3 pence (236)
    1485 Henry VII hammered silver penny - York Archb Rotherham. Key below shield , no pillar to throne.

    1341 Edward III hammered silver florin penny

    Obv EDWR ANGL DNS HYB

    CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

    1572-3 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver half groat
    1816 George III milled silver shilling (237)
    1842 Victorian milled silver 4 pence (238)
    1855 Victorian milled silver 4 pence (239)
    13thC Medieval hammered silver shortcross cut half penny

    1247 Henry III hammered silver voided long cross penny - Class 3a

    Obv HENRICVS REX

    Obv HE(N/RIO/NVL/VNDE -Moneyer Henri of London

    1634 Charles 1st hammered copper rose farthing

    Medieval gilded silver jester mount

    17.11mm H x 9.12mm W, 1.80g

    1664 Joseph Gleson of Dedham hammered copper trade farthing

    WWII French Navy button

    Back mark , M &CE Paris

    WWI Prussian Army button
    RN Cap't / Commander - 1901
    Fake - Line background never
    existed. Possible on civilian
    Jacket to avoid WWI
    "White Feather" harassment.
    Style In use 1901 - 1952
    1634 Charles 1st hammered copper rose farthings
    Victorian copper ally brooch
    1550 -1650 buckle
    16thC mount with 2 integral lugs
    RN Capt / Commander - 1843
    RN Lietenant - 1843
    RN Master - 1843
    RN Surgeon - 1843
    RN Purser - 1843
    RN Midshipman - 1843
    Victorian tree bark shaped silver fragment
    17thC mount with 2 integral lugs
    1572 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpence fragment
    18thC silver spoon handle
    15thC lead token
    Royal Gibraltar Regiment lapel badge
    1723 George 1st Irish copper farthing
    1421-1471 Fleur de lis gold half nobel coin weight
    1582-4 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpence - A mintmark
    Army lapel badge - Royal Artillery

    George II trade weight - Crown G and London hallmark

    53.03g,36.12mm

    1922 George V milled silver sixpence (240)
    RN Capt / Commander - 1787
    RN Lieutenant - 1787
    Medieval spur rowel
    Really neat 18thC silver rabbit eteched onto a sixpence coin of the period
    1897 Victroian milled silver sixpence (241)
    1926 George V milled silver sixpence (242)
    1655 Henry Lamb of Colchester hammered copper trade farthing
    16th mount with 2 integral lugs
    Royal Horse Artillery
    Generic Issue

    Officer & O/R's - 1873-1901
    WWII Royal airforce
    Medieval annular buckle
    16thC lead coin weight - Averdepois mark 1.48g,11.69mm dia
    Huge 2ndC Roman bronze coin - possible Commodus
    Medieval lead apothecary weight 2.38g,11.87 mm sq -
    Agate stone ball
    17thC key hole cover
    19thC silver bodkin needle handle
    17thC decorated belt slide
       
    Really neat 18thC token of Dr Fady, 30 Dean Street, Soho - Street in London

    1422-61 Henry VI hammered silver halfpenny first reign

    12.3mm, 0.41g

    1817 George III milled silver sixpence (243)
    1600 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver penny, O mintmark
    1817 George III full gold sovereign - 8.04g, 22.16mm
    Curious 17thC item - no apparent mounting points - some kind of early love token ?
    1598- 1600 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver half groat
    1550 -1650 buckle
    19thC livery button
    17th mount with 2 integral lugs
    17thC seal matrix - sailing ship

    Stunning 16thC lead token

    Obv Spread eagle

    Obv Tudor Rose

    Roman military suspension loop with 2 rivet fixing
    What a neat relic - 1916 POW service military cap badge
    50 BC 1/4 Celtic gold stater 14.32mm, 1.36g Similar to a Southern Commios tribe - Sent to the CCI for recording and ID

    1341 Edward III hammered silver floin penny

    Obv EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB

    Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON

     

    1341 Edward III hammered silver floin penny

    Obv EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB

    Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON

     

    1938 George VI milled silver sixpence (244)
    1817 George III milled silver shilling (245)
    Continental silver coin - not checked ref books yet (246)
    17th mount with 2 integral lugs
    19thC Russian lead bale seal
    16thC mount with single rivet fixing
    16th C Tudor button
    15thC lead token
    17thC decorated belt slide
    Medieval bronze pot leg
    Medieval bronze pot foot
    19thC Russian lead bale seal
    Interesting decorated jewellry necklace part- Post Tudor in date
    Post medieval lead bale seal
    17thC William III milled silver sixpence (247)
    17thC copper alloy clasp with 2 rivet fixings
    WWII USA army buttons
    1771   German  1  SCHILLING   COURANT milled silver coin (248)

    Stunning Circa 13thC 'bust of christ' medieval seal matrix - working on inscription

    MARTT NUE :PEVOSM

    1855 Victorian milled silver 3 pence (249)
    1926 George V milled silver shilling (250)
     
    Unusual coin weight - not recorded
    17thC printing block - Y
     
    1815 Russian lead bale seal
    Very unsual flowers and petals designed mount - Georgian
    Interesting post medieval lead cloth seal with flying pipe design

    'E.Edwards Charity button'

    1721-1942

    By will proved 1871 Edward Edwards left stock for gifts of bread, coal, or clothing, to Church of England widows of Coalbrookdale parish. In 1975 the income of his charity, which included a bequest of Elizabeth Edwards, was £10.

    From: 'Madeley: Charities for the poor', A History of the County of Shropshire: Volume 11: Telford (1985), pp. 76-77. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18075 Date accessed: 12 April 2009.

    C10thC Saxon lead trade weight
    Post medieval lead mould
    Post medieval lead bale seal
    Medieval long cross hammered silver coin fragment

    1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

    HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

    1946 George VI milled silver sixpence (251)
    1817 George III milled silver sixpence (252)
    Georgian fob seal
    PWG Navy button
    19thC livery button
    20thC button
    RN Purser - 1807
    Unknown navy button - sent for ID
    Unrecorded 106th Ipswich volunteers button
    RN Petty Officer - 1901
    In use 1911 - 1952
    17thC mount with 2 integral lugs
    RN Master - 1807-1825
    1879 Victorian milled silver coin 253)
    16thC Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpence
    1634 Charles 1st hammered copper rose farthing
    1817 George III milled silver shilling (254)
    1855 Victorian milled silver sixpence (255)

    16thC Elizabeth 1st lead token 2.75g, 17.85mm - Portcullis with E at centre

    Obv ***** ERIXE.DEI

    Rev XXIIII

    19th/20thC gold ring with diamond
    Medieval lead papel badge

     

    19thC Percussion revolver wedge with serial numbers

    Tiny 1422-61 Henry VI hammered silver half penny - Henry VI neck 0.30g, 11.59mm

    Antonio Venier (1382-1400)
    AD hammered Soldino silver Venitian coin

    0.32g, 15.29mm

    1430 - 1434 Henry VI hammered silver penny - Pinecone Mascle issue, mascle before LON

    Obv HENRICVS REEX ANGKIE

    Rev CIVIT/TAS/LON/DON

    1341 Edward III hammered silver florin penny

    Obv EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB

    CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

    0.95g,17.69mm

    C12thC hammered silver shortcross cut half penny

    1199 King John hammered silver short cross penny - Class 5b

    NICHOLE( LE(N - Moneyer Nicole of Kings Lynn

    1857 Victorian milled silver 3 pence (256)

    1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

    HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

    13thC English jetton

    Obv - Edward bust

    Rev - Long cross and pellets

    16thC Tudor hooked clothing fastener
    19thC hunting button
    17thC mount with 2 integral lugs

    Very interesting Roman tool (possible writing stylis) with iron tang in the end for a blade - socketed end for a handle ?- shows traces of gilding - one for the museum 45.08mm L x 8.43mm dia

    Possible Roman twisterd wire gilded bracelet - one for the museum
    16thC sword hanger fitting - 2 rivet fixings
    1853 Victorian milled silver sixpence (257)

    Stunning 16thC Tudor gilded silver pin

    Pin dia 10.88mm, 4.68g

    1696 William III milled silver sixpence (258)

    1361-9 Edward III hammered silver farthing Treaty period - New crown intermediate jewels -

    Obv + EDWARDVS REX

    Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON

    10.13mm, 0.22g

    1649 Commonwealth hammered silver penny
    1625 Charles 1st hammered silver penny
    1930 German reich - 1 Fennig coin
    Rider and jocky button
    1550 to 1650 buckle
    18thC toy cannon

    17thC Groome, John of Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk hammered copper trade farthing

    Legend reads John Groome Stoke Nailon

    17thC William III trade weight

    1485-90 Henry VII hammered silver sovereign penny

    York Archb Rotherham Keys below shield - single pillar

    Lots of 1634 Charles 1st hammered copper rose farthings turning up
    19thC silver thimble

    Stunning medieval decorated book clasp parts - includes one rivet in situ

    Great western railways button
    VR Miltary button
    Victorian silver jewelry fragment

    Amazing find - medieval lead ring complete, we have only ever found the tops of these before and this is the first whole version

    Similar to a Class II 15thC lead token

    17th & 18thC thimbles
    17thC hammered copper trade farthing

    1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

    HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

    17thC hooked hanger

    1369 -77 Edward III hammered silver farthing - Post treaty period with Crown type 9 - Type 10a - rare no neck or drapery type

    Obv EDWARDVS:REX:ANGL

    Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

    0.30g, 10.29mm

    Very unusual Roman loop protected terret type item - the base is serrated to prevent slippage and the bronze half ring is set onto an iron plate - one for the museum
    RN Capt / Commander - 1843
    RN Lietenant - 1843
    RN Master - 1843
    RN Surgeon - 1843
    RN Purser - 1843
    RN Midshipman - 1843
    RN Warrant Officer - 1843
    After this issue a Warrant 
    Officer will use the same  
    design as a captains button
    In use 1843 - 1891
    UNITED KINGDOM
    MN - G & J Burns Ltd.
    In use 1842 - 1922
    17thc William III milled silver sixpence (259)
    23rd Regiment of foot button
    15thC lead token - cross and pellets
    Georgian watch winder
    1817 George III milled silver sixpence (260)

     

    Victorian silver brooch - marked 925 - Stering silver
    17thC mount
    Stunning 17thC Charles 1st trade weight - Crown C with London hallmarks

    1465 Edward IV hammered silver half penny - Light coinage type - York mint July 1465 to Sept 1471- no trefoils by neck

    Obv - EDWARD DI GRA REX A

    Rev CIVI/TAS/EBO/RACI - York mint

    11.77mm, 0.36g

     

    1526- 32 Henry VIII milled silver half groat - Cross patonce initial mark

    WA by shield Archbishop William Warham - Ref JJ North 1802

    Obv HENRIC VII DI GRA REX AGL Z FRA

    Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR - Canterbury mint

    1.26g,19.39mm

    19thC solid gold cufflink
    16th/17thC seal matrix - DW

     

    This is a very rare find - Miniature lead Ampulla which measures under an inch in length - 5.20g, 24.08mm L x 13.33mm W

    Generally pilgrim ampulla date from the AD 1250 to 1400's but his type is not in Mitchener's Ref book. I have a feeling this is very early medieval perhaps even Edward the Confessor period - one for the museum

    Pilgrim ampullae - holly water bottle made of lead 12th to 15thC,

    These ampoule were brought from pilgrimage places as a souvenir

    Mitchiner suggests that many ampullae were used in the annual springtime ’Blessing the Fields’ ceremony, in which the Holy Water they contained was sprinkled on the ground to give prayer for a good harvest. Having served this purpose, Mitchiner suggests that the ampullae were discarded. Others have suggested that the ampullae were buried along with their contents for a similar purpose.

     

     

    17thC silver cane band - reported as treasure to Colchester museum
    Georgian button
    17thC buckle with integral chape
    Interesting early medieval mount - design is like a Saxon key - one for the museum
    1640's lead gun powder measure
    1825 Russian lead bale seal
    Post medieval lead bale seal - Fluer de Lis
    Huge 1898 lead bale seal
    Medieval harness hanging pendant - traces of yellow enamel remain
    Georgian tobacco jar lid handle

    Post medieval lead alange cloth seal
    17th and 16th C thimbles
    17thC lead token
    17thC Spur rowell fragment
    17th mount

    17thC mount

    1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

    HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

    1634 Charles 1st hammered copper rose farthing
    17thC milled silver 6 pence (261)

    Rowels probably originated in France or Spain in the 10th Century A.D., they are first recorded in Britain in Henry III's reign - two seals from 1240 depict the king - on one he wears prick spurs, and on the other rowelled.

    In the following centuries spurs became associated with rank and chivalry. We speak of "earning one's spurs" - a disgraced knight would have his spurs and sword broken as part of his punishment. A knight would wear gold or gilt spurs and an esquire silver .
    Through the fifteenth Century rowels became smaller and spur necks became longer. This was so that the spur could reach around the flanchards ( horse armour or barding ) The mediaeval horseman who rode with legs extended forwards also needed spurs with longer necks which could still reach their horse's sides. Over the following centuries, rowels changed shape and size, some developed "jingle-bobs". In seventeenth Century Germany spurs developed multiple necks and rowels, but these were probably for ceremonial or dress use only.

    1697 William III milled silver sixpence (262)

    1461-83 Edward IV hammered silver penny - Rose at centre of reverse cross

    Durham mint

    Medieval chaffing dish handle
    18thC belt guide
    19thC Enfield bullet - hollow base
    Small lead ring
    17thC decorated sissor handler
     

    1st/2nd C Roman lead token

    Obv animal facing right

    Rev Standing woman

    19thC hunting button
     
    17thC mount withy 2 integral lugs
    Post medieval lead cloth seal
    17thC gilded and decorated button
    17thC clothing fastener
    Unrecorded 33rd regiment of foot button
    16thC clothing fastener
     

    Unknown Hon. Artillery Com.

    *ch Dien

    Interesting military button ?
    O**** Regiment - Harp design
     
    3rdC Roman bronze sent for ID 4.30g, 24.65
     
    61st Regiment of Foot
    ( South Gloucestershire )
    O/R's - 1855-1881
    1704 Queen Anne trade weight - Crown A London hallmarks  
     
    19thC Titled family livery button
    Capt / Commander - 1774-1787
    RN Master & Mate - 1787-1807
     

    18thC 38th Regiment of Foot - not in ref books - derivation of the buttons on the right we have found that are 19thC examples

    ( 1st Staffordshire )

    38th Regiment of Foot
    ( 1st Staffordshire )
    O/R's - 1855-1881

     

    Romano/British twisted wire fastener

    Tiny 1547 -51 Henry VIII Posthumous coinage - hammered silver half penny - Canterbury mint

    0.33g, 11.81mm

    Unknown Antwerp hand 16th/17thC coin weight - Maker CS not recorded

     

    1341 Edward III hammered silver florin penny

    Ob EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB

    Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

    17.92mm, 1.17g