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Metal detecting holidays in England with the Worlds most successful metal detecting club Twinned with Midwest Historical Research Society USA |
Comments and ID's against Roman coins are from our expert Mark Lehman who also lectures on the subject in the USA
Comments and ID's against Celtic coins are from John Sills who runs the National Celtic Coin Index
Comments and ID's against early Medieval coins are from Dr Martin Allen who runs the National database at the Fitzwilliam museum
Comments and ID's on military buttons are from Tim Burton info@hamwichouse.com
Contact Louisiana Sal stateside for an American's view on hunting here sal@historyhunts.com
Contact Ark Gary for an American's view on hunting here goldeneggman@gmail.com
Quick
News Page Updated 29th May 2022
New season kicks off Sept 2022
Total available fields to choose from is 180 +
Report any sightings of illegal metal detecting you see to our local dedicated police officer.
Take pictures of them together with the registration numbers
on their vehicles and phone or email below.
Tel 07890 513899 - PC Andy long
email - wildlife@essex.pnn.police.uk
29th May 2022 FOTY voting and gold ingot curator reportI am currently busy compiling all the export applications for the guys find pouches found in the 2nd half of the season. Full pictures and detailed finds lists are posted onto the closed members forum. I am also updating the individual finds pages on our site with 2nd half finds, links below. Members are now voting for their 'favourite find of the year' and the winner gets the engraved silver urn trophy to keep and a few weeks detecting holiday as the prize. Each member gets a guess at the 'Forum Competition' to win another free weeks trip. Details and rules of the competition and logged guesses are posted on the ForumCompPage. This seasons competition is to try and guess the number of copper coins found during the season. Good luck. I just got an e-mail from the British museum and they have finally tested and written the curators report on the huge gold ingot below found in 2018 by Wis Tim. It is an amazing report showing that the ingot it is 95% ancient gold and the 2nd largest ever recorded. Tim won FOTY for this find and I expect the museum will try and acquire this find.
Monster ancient gold ingot - 81.54g,40.82mm L, 21.05mm W, 10.02mm T 'This is the second largest gold ingot found in isolation recorded on the database' Treasure Case: 2018 T901
Gold Ingot from LB
PAS reference: ESS-D8C598
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7th May End of the season - Returned treasuresAshley gets her Wayne Otto award for detectorist with the 'best attributes' cup before COVD hit. She is also pictured with her freebie Club sweatshirt and mug for her beauty AGR Celtic gold find Ashley's team Agr- AD 35-43 Celtic gold qtr stater. Corn ear without central stalk, CAM to L,CVN to R, , Horse rearing r, dashes to main, branch above, cross below, A in ex. 12.36mm, 1.245g
Louisiana Ashley's Barn team always finish off the season with a late hunt in April even though they have restricted field choices due to the crops shooting up. It did not stop them having another blinding hunt with 75 silver coins dug, including Saxon and Roman and some great relics. Ashley managed to find her first ever Celtic gold coin with a supper rare AGM qtr stater, another new field for us now with Celtic gold. I have posted tons of their finds onto the latest finds page and have loads more to upload yet from their pouches. I have split the finds pages into two to help with loading times. New 2022 April finds page2022 March finds pageI had a meeting with the museum last week to drop of the recent treasure and hoard finds to start the Treasure process. I was amazed that I got back 25 disclaimed items to return to the finders. They included multiple Celtic gold coin finds, posted below, that were reported as hoard addendum coins.
1977 gold ring with stone - London hall mark 0.375 Maker JWF 2.0g, 17.4mm Unusual Plumed Bird Primary Saxon silver sceat 600- 700 AD -sent to EMC for recording and ID 0.875g,11.76mm
I have recorded this as EMC 2022.0187. This is the Runic Æthiliraed type (Type 105), which has the runes for Æthili-raed in two lines. In the 19th century it was suggested that this is Æthelred of Mercia (674-704), but a moneyer's name is another possibility. Best regards, Martin
Medieval Knights Templar finger ring Founded in Jerusalem in 1118 by Hugo de Payns and eight other French knights, with the name of Poor Knights of Christ. Their mission was to protect pilgrims who came to the Holy Places. Later, the king of Jerusalem, Baldwin II, installed them in the near the ancient temple of Solomon palace, so they changed their name to the Knights Templar. During the time of the Crusades, the Templars actively participated in the defense of Palestine, which had many strengths. At the same time they acted as bankers pilgrims, so they obtained great wealth. Being expelled the Christians of Palestine, the Templars retreated to Cyprus. In the Iberian peninsula they were established during the twelfth century; first in Catalonia, Aragon and Navarra. They were responsible for the defense of the borders and participated in numerous expeditions against the Muslims (conquest of Lleida, Tortosa, Valencia, Mallorca, etc.). On the death of Alfonso the Battler were named heirs, along with other military orders, the kingdom of Aragon; in exchange for his resignation inheritance received various strengths. All this contributed to the economic and social dominance of the Templars were ever increasing, so that in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries owned large estates in the eastern part of the peninsula. In the castellanoleonés kingdom they were established shortly after Aragon, also collaborating in the task of Recapture. Alfonso VII gave them the strength of Calatrava; They collaborated in making Cuenca, in the famous battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212) and the conquest of Seville. In France, the Templars had become bankers of kings. Philip IV the Fair, dedicated to seize their property, convinced Pope Clement V that initiate a process against the Templars, accusing them of impiety (1307). The Grand Master of the Order, Jacques de Molay, and 140 members were arrested. Presumed innocent at the Council of Vienne (1311), Clement V dissolved the order and created a commission to reeprendió the process. They were sentenced to prison, but the royal council of Philip IV sentenced to death by relapses. The king seized their chattels and gave his possessions to the hospital. In the other European countries did not prosper the allegations but, following the dissolution of the order, the Templars were dispersed and their property passed to the Crown (Castilla), other orders new foundation (Montesa in Valencia and Jesus Christ in Portugal). Georgian silver collar studd - looks like a tree design behind a clear rock crystal 16th C Tudor gilded silver pin head - reported as treasure to museum 4.89g, 12.17mm dia 1679 Charles II milled silver four pence 1859 Silver pendant with 1842 Victoria milled silver four pence coin sandwiched between the glass Maker JS - Birmingham assay mark Jesse Sargeant 1835
Picked up disclaimed hoard coins from the museum to be returned to the finders
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5th April 2022 More gold and interesting relicsWhat a great range of widgets being dug and I have already posted tons more onto the latest finds page 2022 March finds. The guys left today so I have a weeks worth of their finds to post yet to that page. I have a nice break for a couple of weeks now until the last team of the season comes in on the 23rd April. Louisiana Ashley's team always do a late hunt every season and have managed to win 'team of the year' for the last 4 years running. It will be amazing if they can repeat it again.
Nj Joe, on his first trip here, popped a mint Dubnovellaunos Celtic gold qtr stater last week and got his freebie Club sweatshirt and Club mug as a bonus for such a beauty find. Nh Dean managed to find a mint Queen Anne milled silver four pence, first we have ever found and also a mint undamaged Victorian silver spoon on pastureland near an old church. I have posted a picture below of an ancient silver coin that so far I have been unable to find in any of my reference books. If you recognise it please mail me with an ID as I am stumped. I have also posted an unknown Edward hammered silver penny of the Bristol mint with a curious mark in the centre of the reverse cross. My reference books show no Bristol mint coins with any mark ? If you have any info on this coin can you drop me an e-mail with details please.
Our first ever 1709 Anne milled silver four pence Nj Joe with his goodies c. 20 BC-AD 10 Eastern uninscribed Celtic gold qtr stater of Dubnovellaunos sent to museum for recording 12.19mm,1.34g Dubnovellaunos in Essex quarter, VA 1660, BMC 2442, ABC 2395 Beauty 14th C seal matrix Ancient silver coin
P. Clodius M.f. Turrinus ; AR Denarius ;42 BC. Rome mintOx: Laureate head of Apollo right; lyre behind
Rx: P.CLODIVS·M·F· Diana standing facing, with bow and quiver over shoulder, holding lighted torch in each hand
16th C stone cannon ball c14th C Medieval heraldic shield pendant The shield bears the arms of England before c.1340 (Three Lions) Roman protected loop terret 'Protected loop terrets are usually considered to be Roman and dating to the late first and second centuries AD' Unknown ancient coin - I am not certain if this is Celtic as I cannot find it in any of my books. It looks similar to a South Western Uninscribed Hobbs 2795 but it is not the right weight or material. Sent for ID 3.44g, 18.66mm Large Continent milled silver coin - researching it 6 Stuivers "Rijderschelling"
ObverseDate above crowned arms (eagle) dividing value Lettering: Translation: Silver money of the city of Deventer ReverseKnight on a striding horse Lettering: Concordia res parvae crescunt Translation: Rare find c12thC Medieval heraldic shield type lead trade weight - hammer symbol Mint silver spoon dug on pastureland - gilded bowl still exists 1873 Victoria silver spoon with full set of hall marks -London mint - Queens bust duty paid bust Maker SS - Sarah Snatt 1889 dated pendant - ATA Crookshank Cross for six month's abstinence Army Temperance Association (ATA) in 1893, which soon had over 70,000 members. The ATA also adopted the Soldiers’ Total Abstinence Association's motto of ‘Watch and Be Sober’. It provided temperance institutes for its members, sponsored a wide range of sporting activities and promoted regimental campaigns towards sobriety. It continued awarding medals, such as that for three years' temperance Unknown mark at centre of reverse cross - No Bristol minted coins have any mark !! 1279 Edward 1st hammered silver penny Obv +EDWR ANGLE DNS hYB Rev CIVI/TAS/EBO/RACI - Bristol mint
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24th March 2022 More gold and monster relicsLoads more Celtic gold being found on old land and monster relics like the Bronze Age sickle below being found on new land. Chicago Ron found his 23rd gold coin, the 50BC Clacton type and then the Bronze Age sickle which is a mega rare find, very few are recorded on PAS and our first. Finding a Celtic silver coin is a lot rarer find around Colchester especially as the one found below is classed as 'Unique' in Ref ABC Chris Rudd 32.78. I have uploaded tons of other great silver and relic pictures to the latest finds page 2022 March finds Trinovantes British G “Clacton” quarter, Hobbs 192 Celtic gold 1/4 stater 50BC - reported to museum Chris Rudd 23.41 Clacton de Jersey - Classed as scarce 1.053g,13.75mm 10-40 AD Cunobelin Celtic gold qtr stater - reported to museum Wild type - Corn ear without central stork CA to l, MV to r. Horse r, dashes for mane, branch above, CVN below VA2015 Classed as Scarce 1.366g, 10.89mm 45BC Addedomaros Celtic gold stater - reported to museum 5.5g, 16.67mm 10-40 AD Cunobelin Celtic silver unit - 0.69g - 13.9mm - sent to CCI for recording Bitch and snake CVN within wreath./Bitch r.,clutching snake in paws,CVN in ex. Classed as Unique in Ref ABC Chris Rudd 32.78 Previous CCI 03.0568
Great eyeball find - Roman mill stone c 800 BC Incredibly rare Bronze Age socketed sickle
Unique ID: BERK-AC4A08 Medieval dagger pommel 35.8g, 25mm sq x 19.5mm H This late 13th/early 14th-century bronze dagger pommel is of the “crown style” in shape with a central incision for the tang.
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14th March 2022 - Hunts start and the first Celtic goldMissouri Brandon holding his goodies. The guys have kicked off the 2nd half of the season with a bang. Mis Brandon popped a mint Celtic gold stater on his first day so he wins one of the Colchester Club sweatshirts and mug. He also picked up his silver cup for winning a 'pouch of the year' previous award before COVID. Can Rudy and Min Mindy also won a club sweatshirt for two beauty huge 1696 William III milled silver half crowns, these are rare as hens teeth to find. The guy are roaming around both old and new land with mixed results.One of our existing landowners was chatting to us out in the field and has offered us two new farms he owns for next Sept, not got the maps yet so don't know of their sizes. Rudy and Mindy
New land gave up its first Saxon silver penny, Coenwulf 796 AD King of Mercia and a beauty Roman animal headed bronze fork. Old land gave up a couple of milled gold and the guys are digging some really cool buttons and seal matrix's. I have started a new finds page 2022 March finds and have uploaded a ton of great finds. I have a weeks worth of finds to upload yet.
45BC Addedomaros Celtic gold stater - reported to museum 4.84G,17.38mm Roman 'animal faced 'socketed bronze fork - multiple holes in socket for rivets to attach wood handle 1853 Victoria milled gold half sovereign Coenwulf 796 AD King of Mercia hammered silver penny 0.836g, 18.5 mm This is Coenwulf of Mercia, moneyer Lul. Better images and more information would certainly be very welcome. Sent to EMC for recording Thanks for these new images and the weight of the find, which I have recorded as EMC 2022.0104. 1808 George III milled gold 1/3 guinea 2.81g, 16.99mm
1640's Civil war cannon ball 0.96 Lbs - 1 pounder 1.9 inches diameter - 48.5 mm Medieval seal ring Used by Edward Saddler
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8th Feb 2022 - Treasures and hoards - latest vidKick off starts on the 2nd March for the 2nd half of the season - drop me a mail if you want a hunt on the 5th March in the hotel option
I have received lots of approved export licenses and posted the list of names on the closed members forum. I have been liaising with Colchester museum to try and get the outstanding treasures and hoards moving again after COVID delays. Currently there is a huge back log at the Chelmsford Coroners court processing the inquests. I have ordered up 30 new quality sweatshirts in mixed L, XL and XXL sizes with the Colchester Club logo on it. I have also got a pile of Colchester Club mugs ready to give away as prizes for ' beauty finds'. These will not be available to buy as they will have to won by club member, all you have to do it pop a top find. Disclaimed gold ring 11.22g, 25.64mm -previously reported as treasure to museum Monster ancient gold ingot - 81.54g, 40.82mm L, 21.05mm W, 10.02mm T - reported as treasure to the museum - currently with Bronze Age curator at the British Museum I had a meeting last week with the Colchester FLO and dropped off the last of the treasures found during the first half of the season. I picked up some disclaimed Roman silver hoard coins and Wis Tim's huge gold ring find. He found that monster gold nugget above in the same area. That is currently with the Bronze Age curator at the British museum under investigation, it could be around 1000 BC depending on the gold composition. At current gold bullion value today it is about £3500 melt value , so a huge chunk of gold. I have uploaded a load more individual find pages with the first half of the seasons finds. Lots more to do yet. Chicago Ron just got around to posting his 2018 trip where his guys found a Saxon silver sceat hoard. 'Just finished part 1 of the Fall 2018 Barn hunt. Have 2 hours of video that will go into 3 30-minute episodes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRXyDP3ff_Q&t=8s
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2nd Jan 2021
Still just banging away preparing export license applications and posting the missed finds from the bags to the bottom of the latest finds page. Oct 2012 finds page. Cal Gary had found a 2nd Roman prick spur I never saw when the hunts were underway. There was also a nice decorated Roman bronze knife pommel I cleaned up. I have been updating more of the individual finds pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season.
2nd-3rd C Roman prick spur 2nd-3rd C Roman prick spur Roman decorated bronze dagger pommel
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10th Dec 2021 Updates and exportingI am busy preparing export licenses for all the pouches found in the first half of the season, find lists and pictures are posted on the closed members forum. I have also been updating the individual finds pages below with finds from the first half of the season. I have been adding any missed finds from the pouches I process onto the latest finds page Oct 2012 finds page.
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6th Nov 2021 Final day of the hunts and more amazing finds
The final hunt of the season is now finished until the guys return again in Feb. They found some truly remarkable finds last week from Stone age to modern and some real firsts for us. SC Jimbo found the best condition Celtic bronze unit I have ever seen, dug on a spoil tip on new land so that no oxygen got to it. He also eyeballed nearby the large Roman amphora jar handle, another first for us. Another remarkable find on a new pastureland site, that has just be ploughed for the first time, is what looks like a Roman fibular brooch with raw cut diamonds down its spine. It does not have the normal decay associated with a Roman find, again it was also protected from no oxygen which could account for its condition. I really cannot decide if is it that old so it will be an item for the museum to further investigate. I cannot find any examples of a diamond faced fibular brooch during my on-line my research. Mitch Terry on new land also found our first ever late bronze age chisel dating 1140 BC to 800 BC, beauty condition. We had three new sites to start for this September which we barely scratched as a lot of the fields were still in stubble which was to hard to hunt , when you have perfectly flat rolled fields to choose from it is a tough call to wack weed even on new land. Hopefully they will be ready for the start of the second half of the season from Feb. One of the rarest finds from last week is a monster American silver coin found near an old church that DC Nick managed to ID, one of only twenty examples in the world. It is a Maryland 3 pence and as rare as hens teeth. Cal Rich finished off the hunt with another full Celtic gold stater that is a mega crisp example and of high gold content. I have posted tons of great hammered silver and relics they found to the latest finds page.Oct 2012 finds page I still have a weeks worth of finds to upload yet and will be posting them shortly to the latest finds page.
45 BC to 25BC Addedomarus Celtic gold stater - Trinovantian tribe 5.52g, 18.37mm Addedomarus (sometimes written Aθθedomarus on coins) was a king of south-eastern Britain in the late 1st century BC.
10-40 AD Cunobelin celtic bronze unit recorded with CCI 2.7g,16mm Obv bearded head right Rev lion crouching r, above leaf r,below CAM inside quad ,o, pellet border Hobbs Ref 1993 CCI 21.0775 Roman amphora jar handle
Mega rare American coin - only 20 known Commemorative issue
Late bronze age chisel 1140 BC to 800 BC 12.31 g, 51mm L 11,000 BC flint scraper Great relic made from a large silver coin 5 shillings 1892 silver Roman fibular brooch with diamonds ?? Just checked on line and I cannot find any bronze fib brooches with diamonds Bronze Eagle Symbolising Jupiter, God of Rome (Godmanchester’s Rectory Farm Villa complex) Roman Eagle mount Description and comment: Small bronze eagle symbolising Jupiter or Zeus in Greek mythology, and patron god of ancient Rome. Romans worshipped him as Jupiter Optimus Maximus, the all-powerful and also god of the state who distributes laws and controls the realm. In Greek influenced tradition, Jupiter is brother to Neptune and Pluto, each presiding over one of the three realms of the universe, the sky, the water and the underworld. Alison Taylor, who was Cambridge County Archaeologist at the time of the English Heritage excavation at Rectory Farm in the 1990s, says the little eagle would probably have stood in a house temple, lararium, in Godmanchester’s Rectory Farm Villa complex (it has two villas). The eagle’s provenance is from a nearby gravel quarry. The villa farm estate at Rectory Farm is grand and may have been the residence of the most important and richest Roman in Godmanchester. Ms Taylor says ‘The eagle has a small projection at the base. It could be fitted to a long metal pole so that the figurine could be paraded or set in front of the altar in a small temple. A mini version of the eagle who would be carried in front of the Roman army by the aquilifer.
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13th Oct 2021 Brilliant 3rd week with more goldThe guys are having a great 3rd week of hunting and our 3 new sites have really started producing some great finds. Conditions are still challenging with the guys trying out some more stubble fields on the new land but other fields are now been ploughed and rolled making detecting easier. Celtic gold coins have been found on both the old and new land and some beautiful medieval groats are turning up on the new farms. I have uploaded loads more silver and widgets to the new Oct 2021 finds page with tons more yet to process. I have started a new Oct 2012 finds page to speed up load times.
C1351 Edward III hammered gold qtr noble ?? - totally taco'd 1.78g, 23mm 21st June - 28th May 1837 - London hall mark - Victoria duty paid bust , maker S.S (Samuel Strahan) 0.6g, 16mm dia
Celtic gold qtr stater - 11.11 mm,1.32g - Sent to museum for recording looks like a Northern Gold 'Linear type' - pellet over M Obv corn ear,to 1 CA, to r.MV Rev horse r ., pellet, leaf q & pellet, below CVN, pellet boarder va Celtic gold qtr stater - 9.45 mm,1.26g - Sent to museum for recording Cunobelin wild type quarter, VA 1935, ABC 2813 1801 George III milled gold 1/3rd guinea 2.80g,17mm
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1st Oct 2021 - Great first week and more goldThe guys left last Saturday after a great first week of hunting and they got a great range of coins and relics. The new land is still unhuntable as the stubble and ground is still hard as a rock with the lack of rain. Florida Mitch came in early to join the new team that arrives this Saturday . However the dry ground did not stop Louisiana Sal popping a beauty 1760's George III gold love token and Florida Mitch finding one of the crispest pure gold Adde Celtic gold staters we have ever found, I think that is our 66th Adde Celtic tribe stater find since I started the club. Check out our Celtic gold page link below to see all of our Celtic gold coin finds. http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/celticgoldcoins.html I have posted a load more of finds they made to the latest finds page.2021 Sept finds page Florida Mitch (left) and Louisiana Sal holding their golds 45 BC to 25BC Addedomarus Celtic gold stater - Trinovantian tribe 5.43g, 19mm dia Addedomarus (sometimes written Aθθedomarus on coins) was a king of south-eastern Britain in the late 1st century BC. 1762 George III milled gold qtr guinea 16mm, 2.04g No idea what this is really ?? I thought it had IE on the back like a 17thC lead token but not sure as it could be a cross.
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19th Sept 2021 - First Celtic gold after COVID45 BC to 25BC Addedomarus Celtic gold stater - Trinovantian tribe 5.55g, 17mm dia Addedomarus (sometimes written Aθθedomarus on coins) was a king of south-eastern Britain in the late 1st century BC. Pictures sent from the field of a 600 AD Saxon silver sceat
It is great to be back out there searching after the COVID break even with the limited numbers of members returning this season. However it did not stop Virginia Phill from popping our first Celtic gold of the season, a beauty 45 BC Addedomarus stater. Mo Dan also popped our first early medieval find, a crisp Saxon silver sceat which I have not taken proper pictures of yet. A couple of very interesting Roman silver tribute pennies have also been found and Mark Lehman has produced a great write up on them below. Dry weather has hampered us searching all our new land yet as they are still in stubble and baked rock hard with our lack of rain, later teams might luck out if they get ploughed. However the guys are hitting our older land and finding a great range of relics and coins which I have started posting to new finds page, check it out on the link below.
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28th August 2021 - Huge new map posted - hunts are a goI had an update from the museum this week and a new FLO has been recruited and starts in Oct. A new assistant also starts in September and will start to try and catch up on delayed treasures and hoards not processed during COVID. An existing landowner has just sent us a huge new map of his land us to search from Sept. It is bigger than I thought at 23 fields total in a prime Bronze Age Celtic area very near to where I live. He has also given us another one of his farms in Brightlingsea on the coast and I am waiting for those maps to arrive. I have posted the map on the closed members forum where guys have already been searching the historical records on the land with some very interesting results. The limited number of teams comings here this season will have their work cut out trying to hotspot that sucker. The first 'Barn' teams definitely arrive now on the 15th Sept as everything is now booked and paid for, their '2nd day' jabs are pre -booked at Heathrow ready. I am still running some 'hotel' only trips from Oct and there is still space on the 2nd week, 9th Oct to 16th Oct week. I posted below what the hotel option includes.
Drop me a mail if you are interested.
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14th August 2021 - Open in Sept - more new landWith the lifting of quarantine restrictions we are now attempting to re -open on the 15th September for a first hunt. There are several hoops to go through with the multiple testing but two 'Barn' teams who have confirmed they are definitely coming. The 'Full board house' has had to be canceled in case the owners get infected which would jeopardise future dates at that house. However the 'Hotel' option is still going ahead with the first dates set in October. This is the best option as you can self isolate in your own room. I have added dates from 9th Oct in the hotel if you need a detecting fix. I had an e-mail from the curator at the Colchester museum and they have been recruiting for a new FLO last week. We have a huge backlog of outstanding treasures and hoards to be resolved. I am waiting for maps for two new farms we have been offered by a landowner for September. One is local to me in my village and another in Brightlingsea. With the limited numbers of members coming this season it is going to be tough to hotspot these sites. |
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6th June 2021 - Museum now open - big bag of returned treasures and hoards
Treasure number 2018 T899 Pure gold medieval gold ring with red stone - disclaimed 0.98g, 13.69mm L Pure gold ancient ring 11.22g, 25.64mm - disclaimed Celtic gold votive offering as ring money - disclaimed Gold ring money- 1st C BC 6.86g, 32mm L 5thC Roman gold ID'd by Mark Lehman Very cool! I’m always impressed by the gold you folks find – it looks like it won’t be too terribly hard a job to straighten it out. 4.51g, 19.5mm The Colchester FLO has still not been replaced but the curator and a helper have managed to get a large number of our disclaimed treasures and hoards together that I picked up . They included the first 11 Saxon sceats found in our Saxon sceat hoard now disclaimed found in 2019, seven more to be returned yet. Check out our Saxon sceat hoard page. The finds above have been disclaimed and I have applied for export licenses for all the items so guys can take them home on their next trip or have them shipped. We are currently aiming to start the new season as planned in September, COVID allowing. The link on our accommodation site details free spaces on all of our different type of hunts. |
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28th Feb 2021 - Still closed due to COVID - more updatesAll the Feb/March hunts have had to be canceled due to COVID. The normal Sept season opening is expected to go ahead depending on how the vaccine roll-out goes. The on- line export license applications have been working very well and all but one approved export licenses have arrived in the post. I only have one more to be approved. Meanwhile I have been updating more individual finds pages below and sorting them in to individual type groupings within their page.
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3rd Jan 2021 - New exporting and disclaimed hoard - New FLO and new land
One of our farmers has just sold some of his land we were searching and rang me last week and offered me two new sites to replace it . One is in Ardleigh and one in Colchester centre. He is going to e-mail me the maps and I will post them on the closed members forum shortly. There has been no new hunts since the out break of COVID restrictions in Sept. We are waiting to see what is going to happen in March as a lot of Barn groups have booked and intend to come if restrictions are lifted. I have been processing export license applications and there are now new forms to use since we have left the EU. I have received the new instructions from export duty below with a link to the new form. I have sent off a first trial application today to see if I filled it all in correctly. I have uploaded more finds to the bottom of the Sept COVID page. We are no longer issuing EU licences now we are not part of the EU. Please reapply on the new UK application form here – https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/export-controls/export-licensing#section-2 As you will see, it is now in two parts. This is to be used from now on for all applications regardless of the destination. I had a meeting with the local museum to pick up disclaimed treasures in Nov with a view to a few more being available around Christmas. The Saxon sceat hoard we found has been disclaimed by the museum and I expected to pick some of those up also. However I got a mail from our local FLO in December and she is leaving her post on the 6th January so I am not certain how soon she will be replaced. I have updated the individual pages below with latest COVID hunt finds:
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20th Oct 2020 - Only a single 10 day hunt - COVID cancelled the restPORTUGAL, 1/2 Escudo, 800 Reis, 1725, Lisbon, KM #218.3, , Gold, 1.78 love token 'Saxon' boys - From left to right Andreas, Wolfgang, Max and Thomas We only managed to run just one 10 day hunt this season so far before the COVID restrictions killed off all the other teams coming. The German 'Saxon' boys did not have to isolate as there were no restrictions between our two countries. Luckily they still came as they manage to find another 5 Saxon silver sceats from our previous hoard area so we nicknamed them the 'Saxon Boys'. I have uploaded all the other great finds from that hunt to a new finds page. I still have a few more finds to upload to that new page yet.New COVID Sept finds page I have the first meeting with the museum since COVID this week where I can finally drop off all treasures and hoards. I expect to pick up a load disclaimed items to be returned to the guy. I will post list on the members form in due course.
1.30g,11.85mm Our first Saxon Denier not sceat - just sent further detail to the EMC for recording and ID This seems to be a Merovingian denier. Further information would be very welcome. Thanks, Martin EMC 2020.0330.
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4th Sept 2020 - COVID restrictions, awards and new videoThe hunts should have started on the 1st Sept but a lot of guys have moved their dates until March to avoid travel restrictions. There will be very small numbers arriving on the 16th Sept for the first hunt unless COVID kills it off. I have been busy and have completed all the 2020 exports using the new electronic online export forms and it is working really well. The free forum competition to guess the number of mounts found 2019/20 season was won by Mass Michael who gets a free weeks detecting holiday next season. This years comp to win a another free trip is to guess how many milled silver coins we can find. Other awards: Dutch Robbert was voted by the members to have had the best 'Pouch of the Year' with his quad gold and 6 medieval ham pouch. Georgia Buddy's team won the 'Team of the Year award with their monster week including 3 Celtic gold full staters and a beauty Roman gold - they receive the gold engraved medallions and their names on clubs shield of honour.. Org Artie- Nova Scotia Greg award for 'dedicated detectorist' of the year (Silver cup) Louisiana Ashley - Wayne Otto award for detectorist with the 'best attributes' (Silver cup) Chicago Ron has just posted his huge latest video from the field for the 2018/19 season, link below. It is like being out there !!! Run time 1 hour and 26 minutes The clothing fastener has been completely revamped into each of its classes. Dress fasteners
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11th July 2020 Updates, exports & FOTYExport duty is still currently closed but there is now an on line electronic application method which is working great. Click on the link below to download forms https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/export-controls/export-licensing#section-1 Cal Dave below,won the popular membership vote by a landslide, to win this years 'Find of the Year'. Dave wins the free trip next year and the engraved silver urn. The two Roman gold coin finds this season both split the vote for 2nd place. Cal Dave with his gold Torc find
1300 BC Bronze Age gold torc - reported as treasure to museum I have updated more individual find pages below with finds form the 2nd half of the season. |
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4th June 2020 Updates and exports
I have been busy preparing more export license applications for guys pouches from the 2nd half of the season and posting them on the members forum. Unfortunatly export license duty are still closed so I will send them off once the department returns. Meanwhile I have been updating all the individual pages below with finds from the 2nd half of the season. I have also been updating the current forum competition page and have launched the new competition to guess the milled silver count for 2020/21 season. Members are currently voting for their 'find of the year' and the winner of the event wins a free weeks holiday next season and the engrave silver urn. Org Artie has won the Nova Scotia Greg award for 'dedicated detectorist' of the year .Artie been coming here many years now and is one of our eldest senior members but that never stops him out there. Mindy the Barn leader can never get him off the field no matter what the weather and he is the last man standing after she drags him off the field. Great example of a dedicated hunter.
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15th May 2018 Dutch Robbert finally left after 4 gold finds1894 Victoria milled gold sovereign 22mm,7.95g
Gold ring - 20mm,1.45g Makers mark SC
Gold ring 1.46g,14mm
Dutch Robbert was isolated on his own in one of our huge self catering Barns as his first flight back to Aruba was not until the 4th July. He was lucky to have had a close site of ours, he could just wander to, and do a few hours of exercise daily and manage to add three more gold finds on his extended trip ending with 2 gold rings, a hammered gold coin and a crisp milled gold coin. He also found 6 full medieval groats and other hammered silvers I have posted at the bottom of the latest finds page. 2020 March finds page One of my favourite finds he made was the Georgian Madonna of Pompei silver framed enameled pendant below. I am currently working my way through the guys pouches and preparing the paperwork for their export licenses. I am unable to send the forms to export duty yet as they are closed due to the CIVID crisis.
Georgian Madonna of Pompei silver framed enameled pendant
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2nd April 2018 Dutch Robbert is on fire out there on his own1344-51 Edward III hammered gold qtr nobel - Standard C type Obv +EDWAR D G R EX ANGL Z *** hYB - E at centre on obverse -satire stops Rev: + EXALTABITUR IN GLORIA I Obv shield quartered with the arms of England and France within a tressure of six arches (early coin) 2.04g,20mm Robbert's pictures of his finds New 2020 March finds page created to speed up load times. Chicago Ron's team canceled the last week of their hunt to get back to the USA but Dutch Robbert, who now lives in Aruba, could not get a flight home until May. He had no choice but to stay on completely self isolated in a huge Barn we rent in a remote area. However around the barn is a large 10 field site we rarely hunt so for his daily exercise he just wanders out the front door on his own. He had already found the beauty Edward III hammered gold coin above before the guys left but since then he has found some great finds including 4 medieval hammered silver groats and a beauty Georgian silver and enameled pendant above. He also popped two more gold jewelry pieces, yellow gold finger ring and another gold ring that looking like a necklace link.. He has been sending me photo's by e-mail of his finds as I am self isolating and cannot go and pick up the finds to take proper pictures. This could be the longest running hunt in the clubs history if his first available flight home is the 4th May. Note: Export duty is closed due to the virus. I uploaded a load more new finds the 2020 March finds page I have updated this years gold page with all the new gold finds Gold page. 1772 Georgian coin weight - 10 shillings and six pence - half gold guinea 1308-12 Henry VII King of the Romans - Henry of Luxembourg Obv +:hENRICV eagle S:DEI:GRA Rev ROM/ANO/RVM REX eagle From the end of the 12th century, the English penny, known for it's good silver, became a standard in north-west Europe. Merchants in the Low Countries (especially Flanders, Brabant, Hainaut) went to England to buy the high quality wool and paid with English pennies. 1299- 1300 Edward 1st hammered silver penny - Class 9a2, open E & C - Star on breast, Unbarred N Obv + EDWAR ANGL DNS hYB Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint
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17th March 2020 More Celtic gold and great silvers - Covid ends the huntsSince the outbreak of the virus I have been keeping a very safe distance from the guys and only processing finds at the end of each week. Lots of guys have cancelled their trips due to flight restrictions so the season will end early this year. I have loads of great finds to photograph and post yet that were found over the last couple of weeks. The guys have been searching some of our huge new land with very mixed results. Lidar maps of the area showed at least half a dozen burial mounds scattered over the site. The area around the triple burial mound impressions above has only produced a couple of Roman 'grots' so far, it is a monster sized field and will take years to hotspot properly. However some of the other fields near very early houses have given up some really big hammered silver from medieval to Charles 1st and a beautiful silver ring inscribed 'JH 1521' in keeping with the house date of Henry VIII. Missouri Guy also found a very rare find for Essex, the earliest Bronze Age 2000 BC flat axe. It has twice the blade width of other example we have found over the years. Guy also found our first ever Scottish full medieval groat, all other coins have been pennies or half pennies. Check our Scottish hammered silver finds page Wiss Steve then popped the sweet 70 BC Morini Celtic gold qtr below, his 2nd target on the field !! I uploaded a load more new finds the 2020 Feb finds page. I have updated this years gold page with all the new gold finds Gold page. 2000 BC Early Bronze Age flat axe Interesting silver ring with what looks like a rock crystal - 3.66g, 31mm long Inscribed 'JH 1521 The ring is inscribed from Henry VIII period - reported as treasure to museum. 70BC Morini Celtic gold qtr stater - sent to museum for recording 11mm,1.48g
First ever Scottish groat we have found 1329-71 David II hammered silver groat Obv DAVID DEI GRA REX SCOTORUM Rev VILL/AED/INBV/RGH- Edinburgh mint
1820 George IV milled silver half crown (30 pence) 600AD Saxon silver sceat - sent to EMC for ID and recording 1.13g, 11mm
First ever Romano/British double looped bronze protected terret I have seen ?
1904 Birmingham mint - Rose gold brooch Crusty 50 BC Roman silver with unusual obverse - sent for ID This is the closest I’ve been able to come. I truly wish I could discern more detail on the reverse, but this “match” seems plausible at least. The obverse is very close to a match, to the extent it can be seen. Gens: Sicinia, ca. 49/48 BC Q. Sicinius & C. Coponius
Would I bet my next social security check on this? – maybe not - but I think I got it pretty close seeing that we only had the obverse to go on, really, and much of that unclear as well. All the legible letters correspond to the legends on a clear specimen – the reverse is somewhat different, but these were all hand cut dies and so variety is the norm, within limits. I also suspect the reverse is double-struck about 25% to left on 2nd strike. You can see dotted border at 3:00-4:00 reverse, and I’m pretty sure the crescent you see inboard of that border from 5:00-6:00 is also a segment of border from a 2nd strike. The obverse is also just about exactly 25% off center to left Mark
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29th Feb 2020 Roman gold found - Oki Jim's vervel acquiredGa Buddy's Barn team head home after having a brilliant week searching and finding 7 more gold items. I have updated this years gold page with all the new gold finds Gold page. I have a few days break and the next team comes in on the 4th March, just time to catch up on photographing and uploading more finds. I uploaded a load more new finds including Roman silver to the 2020 Feb finds page. Mo Mike found only our 2nd ever 5th Roman gold coin below, stunning condition, Mike then went onto find a nice plain gold finger. I have added it to our Roman gold coin page. German Russ popped a spectacular 1899 dated 18 carat gold cuff links with both faces having different monograms, perhaps a wedding reminder. Other great finds include a 1stC BC dagger quillion and little and large of George III milled silvers. OKi Jim's silver medieval hawking ring has been acquired by the museum as it was Treasure and there is an article in the Archaeology mag featuring it. Updated our hunt availabilty page and added 2021 places still open.
5thC Roman gold ID'd by Mark Lehman - reported to museum Very cool! I’m always impressed by the gold you folks find – it looks like it won’t be too terribly hard a job to straighten it out. 4.51g, 19.5mm 1776 George III milled silver penny 1817 George III milled silver half crown (30 pence) 13.41g,32mm 1st BC Iron Age bronze dagger quillion with iron tang remaining.
1623 silver hawking ring 11mm,1.28g Thomas Playters.Eq The Playters Baronetcy, of Sotterley in the County of Suffolk, was a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 13 August 1623 for Thomas Playters and was one of the last baronetcies created by King James I.[1] The second Baronet was Vice-Admiral of Suffolk between 1640 and 1649.[2] The fifth Baronet served as High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1728. The title became extinct on the death of the eighth Baronet in 1832
A seventeenth-century silver hawking ring called a vervel has been uncovered in a field near the town of Harwich, on the southeast coast of England. An inscription on the vervel links the artifact to a man named Thomas Playters, a member of the gentry who bore the title Baronet of Sotterley. The ring would have been placed on a hunting raptor’s leg, to attach the bird to a perch via a line. “Vervels are very helpful items when it comes to tracing individuals through history, especially when they are inscribed,” says Sophie Flynn, finds liaison officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme at Colchester and Ipswich Museums. She notes that while most vervels discovered in Britain are made of silver, those crafted from copper and bronze do turn up as well. Finding more examples made from cheaper materials may help determine to what extent hawking was—or was not—the exclusive preserve of the upper classes. Stunning 18 carat gold mongrammed cuff links - Dated June 1899
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25th Feb 2020 Slim pickings, then treble Celtic gold and new Roman silver hoard45 BC Addedomarus Celtic gold full stater - reported as hoard addendum coin to museum 5.54g,17mm 10- 40 AD Cunobelin Celtic gold qtr stater -reported as hoard addendum coin to museum 1.35g,11mm 45 BC Addedomarus Celtic gold full stater - reported as hoard addendum coin to museum 5.44g, 17mm Ohio Seth (right) popped two Celtic gold's- Buddy handed Mo Brandon (right) the Spinks coin book prize for finding first gold of 2020 Guys made a very slow start to the 2nd half of the season trying to hotspot the new land. Just one of the fields on the new 20 field farm is so big it takes to lunchtime just to get to one end of it. Lots of buttons and greenies, tons of lead and only 4 hammered silver coins so far. It will take us years to hot spot this sucker. Back on older land one of the guys found three Roman silver coins close together in weathered down rough plough and called the rest of the team over and they added another 7. I have reported it to the museum as a new hoard and sent them off to Mark Lehman our Roman expert for his views. Unfortunately you cannot clean any hoard coins as they have to go into the museum as dug. Then two newbie members on their first ever trip were hunting a previous Celtic gold hoard spot the members found and they banged in 3 Celtic gold coins, two full Adde Staters and a beauty Cunobelin qtr stater. I have reported these three to the museum as addendum to previous hoard. That must be close to 30 mixed tribe Celtic gold coins so far in this hoard. All of the previous coins were disclaimed by the museum after going through the treasure process and returned to the guys. I had a meeting with the museum this week to drop off more treasures and Celtic golds and I also got back half a dozen disclaimed items including more Celtic gold from this hoard. I have posted a full list on the members forum and will now apply for export licenses I have updated this years gold page with all the new gold finds Gold page I have created a new 2020 Feb finds page and started to upload other widgets found so far. Couple of real rare silver coins found so far with only the 2nd William and Mary 4 pence I have ever seen and a tiny Indian silver Fanam. Big thanks to Viktor below for sending an updated ID of two very neat old finds we made. I have moved them to our Military badges page. If any readers of this site have more accuate ID's of any finds we have made then drop me a mail please. Hello,
1636-8 Charles 1st hammered silver shilling (12 pence)- Tun mint mark
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5th Feb 2020 Huge plot of new land - rare disclaimed tribeI just signed the contract with a new landowner last week for us to search his 800 acre plot as from Feb. His land has known historical land marks on it like a Tumulus and the senior members are researching other fields for any evidence of ancient occupation. Check out the holiday availability page on our accommodation site if you want to join the kick off in Feb 2020. A tumulus (plural tumuli) is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds or kurgans, and may be found throughout much of the world. A cairn, which is a mound of stones built for various purposes, may also originally have been a tumulus. More export application licenses have been approved and the name list posted on the members forum. More neat finds missed during the first half of the season have been posted to the bottom of the 2019 Oct latest find page. Latest forum competition total. Forum comp page Ch Ron has had his very rare hoard addendum coin disclaimed from 2017 and the curator report from the British museum below indicates it is from the Durotriges tribe, the first ever found here. Not surprising really as they are a long way from Colchester. I have just applied for an export license so Ron can take it home. An Iron Age uninscribed gold quarter stater of Sills’ insular Af2 type, dating to the period 80-60 BC.
PAS reference: ESS-FE6D45. Sills 2017= J. Sills, Divided Kingdoms: The Iron Age Gold Coinage of Southern England, Aylsham, p.262 no. 298. More updates from the first half of the season on the individual find pages below.
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27th Jan 2020 Ron's rare Saxon video - more updatesCh Ron has just posted the video of when he found his one of a kind 757-796 AD Offa Saxon silver penny Serpent type, amazing discovery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsA8pVim8JY I am still busy processing the paperwork for the export pouches from the 1st half of the season and posting any missed finds to the bottom of the 2019 Oct latest find page. While I am sitting here at my PC typing up the finds list I have been watching the most amazing Russian WWII detecting videos. Machine guns, rifles, helmets, badges in water logged areas so the finds come out mint. Some are dubbed in English and other in Russian but so fascinating to watch and there are dozens of them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzfp2j-IVw
I have just updated our hoard and treasure page with latest museum feedback. http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/H/hoardandtreasure.htm
I have been updating more of the sites individual pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season.
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10th Jan 2020 - Roman silver hoard video
Still beavering away processing the paperwork for the export pouches from the 1st half of the season and posting any missed finds to the bottom of the 2019 Oct latest find page. Check out the holiday availability page on our accommodation site if you want to join the kick off in Feb 2020. Chicago Ron has put together a great video he took when we found 13 Roman silvers in day on a previous hoard spot. We also have an individual page detailing all the 53 Roman silver coins found so far.http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/Romansilverhoard2018.html I have been updating more of the sites individual pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season.
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24th December 2019 - Exporting and a happy ChristmasWishing all members of the club and readers of this site a very happy Christmas. The second half of the season starts late Feb so I have just 6 weeks left to compile all the export license applications for the first half, full find lists and pictures posted to the members forum. As I process each pouch I have been posting any missed finds to the bottom of the 2019 Oct latest find page. The individual pages below have been updated with finds from the 1st half of the season.
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2nd December 2019 - Exporting and updatingGreat news last week that the thieving 'night hawking' detectorists got huge jail terms handed out for their multi million pound robbery .News story This is my busy part of the year preparing export applications for the first half of the season and updating our individual page on the site with finds from the first half. I have posted full find lists and pictures on the members forum and each member gets a work document sent via e-mail of the application made. As I process each pouch I then post any missed finds to the bottom of the 2019 Oct latest find page.
I had a meeting last week to drop off all our reported treasures and hoards and picked up half a dozen disclaimed items to be returned to the guys after export application. Full list of names posted on members forum. The individual pages below have been updated with finds from the 1st half of the season.
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4th Nov 2019 - Roman gold and new Offa Rex type penny foundOne of a kind Offa Rex penny 757-796 AD Offa Saxon silver penny 1.12g, 15.5mm An important find. Best regards, Martin This is the members last day of searching before we break for the first half of the season. The guys return again in mid Feb to continue the hunt. A new 'dredged' pond site we have this season has produced loads more mint condition finds . Normally I would never take pictures of nails but the huge 14th nails come out of the silt looking brand new. There is a picture of a group below including an early leather shoe. Chicago Ron has found one of our rarest ever coin finds with a unique one off Offa Rex Serpent type silver penny. Then Fl Rob popped our first ever Byzantine type Roman gold coin. Our Roman gold coin finds. This is Rob's first ever gold coin in ten years as a senior member so what a way to start your collection. Rob videoed the whole event at the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He_bCQsVLRY Miss Jeff did some brilliant gridding on our previous Saxon silver hoard area and added another two new C600 -775 Saxon silver sceat addendum coins to the 'pot' I have updated this years gold page with all the new gold finds Gold page Florida Rob 5thC Roman gold sent for ID- my quick guess below Anastasius AV Solidus. 491-518 AD. 4.41 g. Constantinople. DN ANASTA-SIVS PP AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust three-quarter face to right, holding spear over right shoulder and shield on left arm / VICTORI-A AVGGG and officina letter, Victory standing left, holding long jewelled cross, star to right (rarely: a cross). Mintmark CONOB. Sear Byz. 3; DO 3-5; MIB 3-5.
1762 George III milled gold quarter guinea 2.07g, 16mm Medieval silver annular brooch - reported as treasure to museum
Unknown continental hammered silver coin - researching it 0.75g, 14.45mm 20 Reis coin of Alfonso VI of Portugal (1656-1667) - here's a picture of a similar one: Can Drew
Unknown large silver widget with with red carved stone - no idea of it use yet ? Great ID by Cal Tony below 37mm long
This looks pretty close, from Rubylane.com, a vintage jewelry site. For sale $995 Cal Tony
Three 14th century iron nails, Other examples Unique ID: BERK-9C7065 Amazing pond silt finds - huge iron nails and tent peg ? Interesting pond silt finds - Early leather shoe and wooden spike. Early 14th nails come out of this silt looking like bronze Date: c1798-1809 Loyal Greenwich button Description: GR royal cypher around written 'HONORE ET ARMIS' with outer legend 'LOYAL GREENWICH' Category: English Volunteer Infantry; Type of button: Slightly convex, flat back 19mm ; Metal: Copper Alloy, silver plated; Backmark: None ; Notes: The Loyal Greenwich Volunteer force was raised in 1798 and disbanded in c1809. The dates can be 1798-1801 and 1803-08/14 a four company unit under CO. Major Robert Campbell. Re-raised in July 1803, as a full battalion. 1684-87 James II milled tin farthing Another amazing pasture land find - first ever James II tin coin find I have ever seen with copper plug still remaining
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24th Oct 2019 - Amazing relics and more Celtic gold16thC silver ring - reported as treasure to museum - Greek Cross like on Elizabeth 1st hammered silver coins 'ICET'
Another great week of searching by the guys with three more gold coins and a load of amazing relics like my favourite below, a complete set of nesting bullion weights. I was amazed when I finally managed to open it and see its stunning condition. There were a load more superb pond silt finds like the the first ever medieval arrow head I have ever seen. Chicago Ron was using just his probe to search the thick silt and found what looked like a bronze arrow head but because there is no rot it is actually iron. The team also managed to eyeball four mint unbroken pipe bowls, another very rare find for us. Ga Mike found, in the pastureland area, a mint medieval silver annular brooch which I have not posted yet, he also eyeballed a huge 17thC toy petronel below unbroken on ploughed land below. Min Mindy eyeballed her 4th 11,000 BC flint axe head, huge sucker !! I have posted so many more great relics and silver to the latest finds page 2019 Oct latest find page. I have updated this years gold page with all the new gold finds Gold page
1.99g, 1.93g,3.94g,7.86g 15.76g Fantastic relic found - I managed to open the clasp on the pot and was staggered to find a full set of marked 1802 George III brass nesting cups Maker is SG - Continental hinged lid type - Bullion weight The 5 smaller bronze weights are open cups and contained in the largest weight which has a bronze lid. It appears that the total weight of all 6 weights together is about 121gms - 1, 2, are marked inside two of the bigger weights Two weights are hallmarked SG Truly amazing relic out of pond silt - this is an iron medieval arrow head unaffected by rust Fantastic huge 17thC toy petronel working match lock pistol Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1600 Date to: Circa AD 1640 The toy is based on the match-lock 'petronels' of the 16th and 17th Centuries 25 BC Clacton Cross type, ABC 2356, the companion quarter to British F, the Late Clacton stater, ABC 2332. In ABC it's illustrated as a 'three men in a boat' design but the obverse is probably a degraded boar ; at the moment there are around 30 known, mostly from Essex and Suffolk so it's a definite Trinovantian type. Martin Reported to museum and CCI 1.41g,13.88mm Fl Brian's first Celtic gold 25BC Eastern uninscribed Celtic gold qtr stater of Dubnovellaunos Reported to museum and CCI 1.32g,11.75mm 1820 George III milled gold half sovereign 3.94g,19.36mm Huge 11,000 BC Stone Age axe British Colonial:1822 West Indies George IV milled silver -1/16th dollar ObverseCoat of arms on ornate shield Lettering: GEORGIVS IV D:G: BRITANNIARUM REX F:D: Translation: George by the Gods grace king of Britain, defender of faith ReverseCrown over anchor Lettering: Translation: Colonial money of Britain Roman silver hoard addendum coin reported to museum Send for ID Beauty Georgian fob seal matrix - sailing ship facing right Georgian clay pipes found in pond silt
Georgian clay pipe found in pond silt 1560-1 Elizabeth 1st hammered gold half pound coin - (10 shillings, 120 pence) - Crown mint mark 28.8mm,5.11g 5.06g Spink ref S2520 Fixed Elizabeth 1st hammered gold half pound coin 1638-9 Charles 1st hammered silver shilling - anchor mint mint 5.54g, 30.12mm
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14th Oct 2019 - One of kind Offa Rex and lots more gold foundOne of a kind Offa Rex penny 757-796 AD Offa Saxon silver penny Many thanks. I have recorded this as EMC 2019.0309. An important find. Best regards, Martin Chicago Ron has had another great trip so far with a very crisp early 70BC uninscribed 'Q' Gold - 'Remi 'Type Celtic gold qtr stater find and a new type of Offa Rex serpent type Saxon silver penny. The Early Medieval Corpus database is based in Cambridge and records all our Saxon coin finds on the National EMC database. Georgia Buddy and Tenn Mark meanwhile popped another two beauty full Cunobelin Celtic gold staters, beautiful strikes. Cal Dave who found the Bronze Age gold Torc earlier in the week finished his hunt with a full George III gold sovereign. Ill Chuck then found a taco'd George III third gold guinea. Buddy who is doing another week started with his 2nd gold of his trip and crisp 1842 Victoria gold half sovereign below.. I have updated this years gold page with another couple of bits of gold found , a gold tooth and a watch winder. Gold page I have uploaded a load more finds to the latest finds page 2019 Oct latest find page. 10-40 AB Cunobelin Celtic gold stater - sent to museum and CCI for recording 18.25g,5.42g 10-40 AB Cunobelin Celtic gold stater - sent to museum and CCI for recording 17.33,5.41g Early 70BC uninscribed 'Q' Gold - 'Remi 'Type Celtic gold qtr stater Possible Maldon wheel - reported to museum and CCI 1.33g,11.61mm
1817 George III milled gold full sovereign 8.02g,22.17mm 1806 George III milled gold third guinea 2.58g,17,8mm 1842 Victoria milled gold half sovereign 3.99g,19.30mm
Mint 1498-9 Henry VII hammered silver half groat - Tun mint mark - double arched crown Obv HENRIC ***ANGLI Z FR Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR - Canterbury mint
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8th Oct 2019 - Monster 1300 BC gold Torc and more Celtic goldCal Dave with his gold Torc find
1300 BC Bronze Age gold torc - reported as treasure to museum Found in Cambridgeshire, the torc, dating from 1100 to 1300 BC, is one of the largest and most spectacular to be found, experts said. Torcs were normally worn around the neck as fashionable jewellery in England and Ireland. But this one, weighing 732g, is too large to fit a person's waist. It may have been designed to be worn over thick winter clothing, as a sash, or by a prized animal in the course of a sacrifice.
Another amazing week of detecting sees more great gold coins found and an amazing 1300 BC Bronze Age gold torc discovery. It is unclear whether it is a neck torc or huge waist torc pictured above. The guys are searching hard for the rest of it. There is a recent story in the newspaper of the same type of torc currently on loan to Colchester museum. https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2019...nd-in-norfolk/ I have uploaded a load more great relics and silver to a new 2019 Oct latest find page. One of my favourite coins found so far is the first ever tin coin I have seen below with any detail. Ch Ron found a tiny fragment of a Saxon silver penny that turns out to be a mega rare example as ID'd by the Early Medieval Corpus expert Martin Allen. Mint condition 1500-1550 'Normal orb' German jetton with crown initial mark Anonymous issue Pond silt find
I have posted more great pond silt finds to the latest find page including a mint German jetton above. The very First time in my 16 years of running this club Cal Mark has found the only Tin coin in remarkable condition I have ever seen. He dug the William Mary farthing and also the half penny in pasture land where no oxygen had got to it. You can clearly see the copper plug in the middle of the coin. William & Mary (1688-94), Tin Farthing, 1690, copper plug at centre, second conjoined laureate and draped busts right, rev Britannia seated on globe with spear, shield and spray of leaves,…
10-40 AB Cunobelin Celtic gold stater - sent to museum and CCI for recording 17mm,5.38g A standard Plastic type Cuno stater, no unusual features as far as I can see, I've recorded it as 19.3908.
Best Wishes
John
1859 Victoria milled gold half sovereign 3.97g, 19.3mm Saxon hammered silver penny fragment - sent for ID King Offa - 780 - 792 King of Mercia hammered silver This is a coin of the Canterbury moneyer Ethelnoth in Offa's light coinage. Derek Chick's book The Coinage of Offa and his Contemporaries records three coins of this type (Chick type 232, Nirth 321), and this is the first new find of the type in EMC since the book was published. EMC 2019.0291 1696 William III milled silver half crown (30 pence)
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28th Sept 2019 - Rare Roman silver and Celtic golds
Well another week of searching comes to an end with double Celtic gold finds, a mint 1500 BC axe head, rare Roman silvers and Saxon sceat. Some amazing artefacts have turned up including some staggeringly good condition pond silt finds. I have posted a load of them on the latest finds page including a medieval looking gold ring with black sapphire.
A palstave is a development of the flat axe, where the shaped sides are cast rather than hammered Bronze Age (c.1500-1400BC) cast copper alloy primary shield pattern palstave, dating to the Acton Park Phase. 'Find of the year' winner Tim holds another Celtic gold find 10 AD AD Cunobelin Celtic gold qtr stater - reported to museum and CCI for recording plastic A' series, VA 2010-3. Believed to have preceded the classic type, so perhaps from c. 25 - 35 AD. 1.33g,10.50mm It's an early Classic quarter, class 7a, DK 588, with a Classic type design but dies cut by an engraver who had previously worked on the Plastic series, which is why it has the 'look' of a Plastic type.
If you could let me know which parish it was found in I'll add it to the card,
All the best John 70BC Remi Celtic gold qtr stater - reported to museum and CCI for recording 1.13g,10.00mm Great week with the first Celtic golds of the season found. Primary Saxon silver sceat 600- 700 AD Sent to Fitzswilliam museum for recording 1.07g,11mm
An interesting example of the Series E Vernus type Group 1, which I have recorded as EMC 2019.0262. Thanks, Martin
1351- 1352 Edward III hammered silver groat (4 pence ) Series G Cross 1 - annulet stops, Pre treaty period top arches fleured - annulet stops - C open closed E Obv EDWARD D G REX ANGL Z oFRANC oD oHYB Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON London mint Rev outer + POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM (outer) Roman silver coin sent for ID You’re probably already aware the denarius is Trajan – or even if you aren’t, it is. Rx: ARAB ADQ (in exergue) SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI Arabia standing facing, head left, holding branch and bundle of canes, camel at her feet to left. Romans silver coin with good detail sent for ID
(Probably) Vitellius, 69 A.D. AR denarius, Mint of Tarraco, Hispania, May-July A.D. 69 Mark Lehman
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15th Sept 2019 - 5 gold last weekA great 2nd week of searching by the guys with 5 pieces of gold found. Can Tony (left) got two gold sovereigns and Can Ed right got a beauty George III milled gold 1/3 guinea. There were some really nice hammered silver coins found including a mint Elizabeth 1st shilling below and I have posted a load more and relics to the latest finds page.
Stunning 1560-1561 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver shilling (12 pence) - Cross Cross-let mint mark - 2nd issue 6.0g,33.2mm
1810 George III milled gold third guinea 2.82g,17.02mm
1899 Victoria milled gold half sovereign -- Old bust George and Dragon type 3.99g, 19.30mm
Beauty large decorated bronze 17thC Key handle 1895 Victoria milled gold half sovereign - Old bust George and Dragon type 1356-61 Edward III hammered silver groat - Fourth coinage: Pr Treaty -Series G - Std F type Extra annul et in one qt of reverse Top arches not floured - E&C closed, pot hook N Mint mark Cross 1 - annul et stops, lees on breast ob +EDWARD Do Go Rex ANGL Z FRANC D HYB Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint Rev outer + POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM (outer) Ancient bright yellow gold band - very interesting concave inner to the ring and the pointed end - reported to museum as treasure It came from the field where we also found a 1300 BC Bronze Age tress gold ring treasure 2.94g,28mmL
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9th Sept 2019 - Great start to the season with Roman silvers
Early Medieval harness pendant with rampant lions and cross banding design in blue and white enamel work This appears to be the arms of the Earl of Hereford 14thC Humphrey De Bohun 1643-4 Charles 1st hammered silver half crown (30 pence) - mint mark P in brackets - Tower mint under Parliament 14.55g,33mm, 2.20mm thick Fl Paul has won a free week detecting trip next season for the 'Free Forum Comp' where he guessed exactly the right number found . Tx Ali won 'pouch of the year' as voted for by the membership. His monster pouch was found on the very last hunt of last season. The new team kicked off the season and are doing really well so far with their 7th Roman silver find of the week. One is a crusty BC one that needs 'cooking' to remove the crust and 6 are hoard addendum coins in beautiful shape. Mark Lehman has ID'd them all and there are emperors that I have never heard of. I am taking them into the museum next week as the local FLO is taking them with her to the British Museum to add them to the 'pot'. So far we have found almost 53 totally different type of Roman silver from this hoard and I have added these ones to the page on our site dedicated to this hoard. http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/Romansilverhoard2018.html. Lots of great pictures of the guys digging them on this page. I have started a new 2019 Sept finds page and have started uploading more silver and widgets to this page, so far just one tiny ring of gold has been found. Finds of the week for me so far are the monster rare Charles 1st half crown (30 pence), only the 2nd one we have ever found, and the amazing Humphrey De Bohun Roman silver hoard coin -Septimius Severus, 198-209 AD. 2.87g,18mm Hoard coin addendum number 48 - reported to museum Septimius Severus, AR denarius, Mint of Rome, A.D. 201 Obv. SEVERVS PIVS AVG laureate head of Septimius Severus right
Roman mosaic depicting a mythical chariot found
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8th August 2019 More applications and exportsJust over 3 weeks before the kick off to the new season !! At this time of the year, while the crops are being harvested, I am just beavering away behind the scenes compiling export applications for all the guys pouches last season. I keep posting any missed un-photographed finds to the last hunt page including a huge English Civil War cannon ball a guy found. Latest finds page There were also a couple more pieces of gold missed during the hunts that I cleaned up which takes this year gold total to 65, our 2nd best ever gold total for a season in 15 years. Gold page. Loads more of approved export licenses have arrived and the names posted on the closed members forum. As I process each guys pouch I update last years forum competition to win a free weeks trip next season. Check out the latest total updated today to see if you are still in the running. http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/F/forumcompetition.htm Back to processing more applications. !!
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2nd July 2019 Find of the yearMonster ancient gold ingot - 81.54g,40.82mm L, 21.05mm W, 10.02mm T - reported as treasure to museum
Stunning medieval gold ring - decorated outer band - full inner inscription in Lombardic script Pencer De Moy ? 3.77g.19mm dia Note "I found this expression, 'pencez de moy', which means 'think of me', engraved in a 14th century French ring at the National Museum in Stockholm. It is a precious gift to have someone thinking of you." - Efva Attling
Celtic gold votive offering as ring money Gold ring money- 1st C BC 6.86g, 32mm L
The members have completed the voting for their favourite 'Find of the Year' and it was a landslide victory for Wis Tim's monster gold ingot find. Min Mindy's stunning medieval gold ring was 2nd with Alaskan Steve's Celtic votive offering in 3rd place. All 3 finds are currently with Colchester museum going through the treasure process. It will be fascinating to see what date is attached to the gold ingot after it is tested by the museum experts. I have been updating the free forum competition page with the latest competition count as I process the export pouches. Make sure you have a guess at the new competition after voting for your favourite find of the year. http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/F/forumcompetition.htm More approved export licenses have arrived and names posted on the closed members forum. I have a meeting this week with the museum to take in more treasures and hoard coins and hopefully I will pick up more disclaimed treasures items.
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13th June 2019 - More updates and exportsI have been busy updating the individual find pages below with finds from the 2nd half of the season. Lots more export license application have been made and full find lists and pictures posted on the closed members forum. I have been updating the free forum competition page with the latest competition count as I process the export pouches. Make sure you have a guess at the new competition after voting for your favourite find of the year. http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/F/forumcompetition.htm
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8th May 2019 Last hunt of the season and they smashed it againTop team - Va Brian, Va Phill, Lo Ashely,Tx Ali,Tx Josh, Tx Scott W and Texas Scott J Ashley presents Tx Scott J for last years 'Pouch of the Year' award.
Tx Scott W, Ashley and Tx Scott J for last years 'team winners' medallion and shield Tx Ali's 50 BC Uninscribed 'P' gold - 'Trophy' Type - 1/4 Celtic gold coin - 1.35g, 11.31mm - sent to CCI for recording Beaded trophy quater, ABC 2243, BMC 435, not in VA. Extremely rare, 10 others known. An interesting Essex type because of its Kentish associations (derived from the Kentish trophy issue but a separate type), it may have been struck by an otherwise unknown offshoot of the Cantii. Early 1660 -2 Charles II milled silver half groat - this legend CAROLVS.II.D.G For the 3rd season in a row Louisiana Ashley's last late season hunt has earned them the club's 'team of the year' award. This team has their own bus and stay in self catering accommodation, they always come in late April when everyone and his mum in the club has hunted the land from Sept. On most of the 300 + fields we have to search the wheat is too high this time of year to detect on so they have a very restricted land choice of just brown fields. No new land was available but they had the odd field here and there on some of our great old Celtic sites we have had as a club for 14 years. These guys made it look like no one had ever hunted them and smashed our 2nd best ever gold count with 5 pieces to make the total for the year 63. Gold page. Not content with the gold they found, they also popped 2 Saxon silver sceats and a loads of hammered silver coins and widgets. I have posted a load of them on to the last hunt page and still have loads more to upload yet. Latest finds page
So that's it for this season and now I have to get on with all the export license application preparations. I have launched the new free forum competition for the coming season to win another free trip and it is also time for members to vote for their favourite 'find of the year'. More details on members forum. 1762 George III milled gold half guinea - love token 2.08g,15.44mm
1560-1 Elizabeth 1st hammered gold half pound coin - (10 shillings, 120 pence) 28.8mm,5.11g 78gn Spink ref S2520
1 Ecu d'Or 1494-1547 France Ecu d'Or au Soleil, François Ier à la Croisette Obverse legend : (SOLEIL) FRANCISCVS: D: GRA: FRANCOVM REX. (MM). (TRÈFLE). 1634-5 Charles 1st hammered silver sixpence - bell mint mint Medieval seal matrix - cleaning in order to take a wax impression
By my count on the database there are 4 boars' heads coouped with legend CREDE MICHI, 2 with PRIVE/PREVE SV, 1 LEGE TEGE and 1 "IE SV CEI IEL" [which must be IE SV SEL LEL] -- if you orient it so that the head is exactly horizontal, you'll see the "New Readers start here" star exactly at 12 o'clock where it should be, and then one of the few letters I can make out is the prominent V -- exactly where it should be for PRIVE/PREVE and I think I can see the following SV ... BUT! the lettering seems to continue, so if it is PRIVE SV or PREVE SV, there must be another word or two after that, e.g. E LEL (and loyal/faithful) which I think does sometimes occur as an extension of the simple PRIVE SV -- I'm not saying yours DOES say E LEL -- merely quoting that as an example! Malcolm What a rare relic - 17thC clothing fastener with the 1649 Commonwealth double shield design Primary Saxon silver sceat 600- 700 AD - sent to Fitzwilliam museum for recording and ID 12.58mm,1.17g (EMC 2019.0156) is Series E, Plumed Bird variety Primary Saxon silver sceat 600- 700 AD - sent to Fitzwilliam museum for recording and ID 11.66mm,1.18g Series B II (Type 27b) as EMC 2019.0155.
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12th April 2019 - Rare Dragon type Celtic foundCeltic gold qtr stater - not certain of tribe yet- send for recording and ID 1.38g, 13.42mm 50 BC Clacton Dragon type Great find, it's a new reverse variant of the British F 'Dragon' type, ABC 2353 for an earlier version with open-mouthed beast clearly visible and DK 422 for a later, jumbled variant; all the known examples are from the same obverse die, here seen quite worn. All the best JohnGeorgia Doug, hunting new land, popped our first ever Dragon type Celtic gold qtr stater above, amazing find. Lots more great finds posted to the latest finds page. 2018 March finds page. Also check out this years gold finds Gold page.
Early medieval hooked hanger Romano-British protected loop terret 'Protected loop terrets are usually considered to be Roman and dating to the late first and second centuries AD' Stunning silver mounted Georgian intaglio 2ndC Roman silver coin - hoard addendum reported to museum 2.16g,17.34mm 450 million year old fossil Sea Urchin Echinoid |
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2nd April 2019 - More amazing gold finds and silverThe guys are on fire and are close to beating our 2nd best ever gold season we have had with 57 pieces found so far. Check out this years gold finds Gold page. I have posted a lot of Roman silvers and hammered silver coins to the latest finds page and some great excellent relics.March 2019 finds page. c25-35 AD Cunobelin Celtic gold full stater - reported to PAS 'plastic A' series, VA 2010-3. Believed to have preceded the classic type, so perhaps from c. 25 - 35 AD. About ninety of these are recorded including at least one coin in the British Museum (BMC 1819 in Hobbs's Catalogue of Iron Age coins in the BM). 5.45g, 16.88mm
CCI 19.1423 - Cuno Plastic stater: this is the ABC 2786 type, which comes in two common varieties, one with a ringed pellet below the horse and the other with a pellet only (as on this coin). The rare ABC 2789 type reads CVNOB, unlike this one, which reads CVNO on other examples from this reverse, with no B. 10-40 AD Cunobelin Celtic gold Linear type qtr stater - reported to PAS Ladder main - branch above 11.36mm,1.28g Ref ABC 2810 - Rare CCI 19.1424 Weird tiny debased gold coin - Celtic ?? sent to Fitzswilliam museum for their views 0.88g,9.07mm CCI 19.1426 - base AV ?blank The side with the lines resembles the 'design' on Gallo-Belgic Bb Crossed Lines quarters, but the weight is barely half what it should be and it looks much too base. It's most likely to be a blank for an unknown, possible Iron Age, type, or perhaps an early Saxon issue if the weight and fineness corresponds to any of them. All best John Trinovantes Clacton type Celtic gold 1/4 stater 50BC - reported as hoard addendum 0.83g,12.35mm Ancient looking bright yellow rolled gold sheet reported as potential treasure to museum 3.11g,17.38mm L x 3.47mm T C600 -775 Saxon silver sceat - sent for recording and ID to EMC 1.14g,11.98mm Many thanks for this very helpful information about the find, which is EMC 2019.0125. 2ndC Roman silver coin - sent for ID 2.88g,17.41mm Very nice – I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this is Domitian since the name is so clearly readable on the obverse. He was Vespasian’s younger son and the last of Suetonius’ “12 Caesars”, that’s Gaius Julius through the Flavian dynasty, ~ the end of the 1st century AD. He also came to be hated and feared nearly on a level with folks like Caligula and Nero due to his increasing paranoia and reactionary policies. Domitian, (81-96) as Caesar under Vespasian, 69-79 AD. AR denarius, Mint of Rome, 79 AD. 1762 George III milled gold qtr guinea love token 2.07g,15.35 Not sure of this type yet - similar to 50 BC Maldon Wheel type sent for recording and ID from PAS 1.35g,13.66mm Stunning gilded Viking type bronze harness pendant 2ndC Roman Zoomorphic enamelled brooch - bird type |
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17th March 2019 - More amazing super rare coins found10-40 AD Cunobelin Celtic gold Linear type qtr stater - reported to PAS Ladder main - branch above 11.19mm,1.34g Ref ABC 2810 - Rare 10-40 AD Cunobelin Celtic gold Classic Bow type qtr stater - reported to PAS 1.32g,11.38mm Ref Rudd 75 57 - Excessively rare 10-40 AD Cunobelinus 'Spiky' silver unit Obv Head L, spiky hair CAMV in front,occ CAM with VL behind/Seated victory r,holding bowl or wine cup int,hand.CVNO below chair Ref ABC 2855 VA 2045 - Very rare 1.36g,14.04mm 1.45g,11.96mm It's a class 3 Great Waltham type quarter, no. 400 in Divided Kingdoms (same dies), essentially a slightly later and cruder version of the Ingoldisthorpe quarter, which is class 2 in the British Ab/Ac north-east Thames series. I list 14 other examples in DK but there are at least 15 now. Hope this is of some help, All the best John 1821 George IV milled gold sovereign 8.01g,22.13mm 70 BC Morini Celtic gold qtr stater- reported as hoard addendum to museum - tiny undersized coin 0.76g, 10.19mm As you say, it's a standard Gallo-Belgic D type from the early Gallic War period. I think the clue to its very low weight probably lies in the very irregular flan, which suggests that it was either struck on an abnormal, mis-shapen blank, not intended for use, or that it has been clipped in antiquity to illegally siphon off gold, much as medieval silver was clipped. Difficult to be sure but clipping is more likely, All the best John What a fantastic 2nd week of hunting by the guys with some very rare coins found. I have posted hundreds of other great finds onto the new hunt page.March 2019 finds page. I have updated the gold page which now stands at 50 as I have yet to post a solid gold watch winder found by Cal George. Check out this years gold finds Gold page. German Andy found our first ever complete Saxon strap divider below, amazing that it is in one piece. On our Saxon harness page we have only ever found pieces of them before, great find. Saxon Harness page. Virg Marj popped two of the Celtic's found above and both are rare, only our 2nd ever Great Waltham type gold qtr stater above and a Cunobelinus 'Spiky' silver unit. Ill Andrew found the excessively rare rated Cunobelin Bow type qtr stater which is stunning. Ny Jay on the first morning of his first ever trip here popped the Cunobelin Linear type, man that is newbie luck. So many really nice hammered silver to post here on this news page so check out all the other finds on the March 2019 finds page.
HARNESS FITTINGComplete late Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) to early Medieval cast copper alloy harness fitting. This is an Anglo-Scandinavian design and dates from circa AD 1000 to 1150. This artefact is a strap distributor, formed of a central lozengeform section with a domed circular boss. The reverse of the boss is slightly hollow. There is a projecting arm from each corner of the lozenge; the arms are sub-rectangular with concave sides. Each arm terminates in an incomplete loop which would have secured leather straps. ChronologyBroad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL Materials and constructionPrimary material: Copper alloy
Taco'd 19thC Victorian milled gold half sovereign Roman silver hoard coin addendum No47 - reported to museum and sent for ID This one is Caracalla, 198-217 A.D. AR denarius, Mint of Rome, 199 A.D. Early gold ring - no hallmarks 1.96g,22.3mm dia BC Republican Roman silver coin sent for ID T. Carisius. 46 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 4.05 g, 4h). Rome mint. Head of Sibyl Herophile right, hair elaborately decorated with jewels and enclosed in a sling, tied with bands / Sphinx seated right; T • CARISIVS above, III • VIR in exergue. Crawford 464/1; CRI 69; Sydenham 983a; Carisia 11; BMCRR Rome 4061; RBW 1613
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9th March 2019 - Amazing hunting and more beauty gold
Simply stunning 1777 George III milled gold half guinea 4.20g,20.61mm Ancient gold band - possible wrist torc fragment - reported as treasure to museum 11.16g, 4.33mm dia x 49.12mm L The 2nd team of the season have been having an amazing hunt having set a club record on hammered silver coins found by any team, I have posted dozens of them on to the latest finds page. March 2019 finds page They have also popped two more really crisp Roman silver hoard addendum coins below taking the total out of the 'pot' to 46 now . Big tanks to Mark Lehman our Roman expert for his great ID's. I have not had any feedback yet with the 44 other Roman silver coins lodged with the British Museum. We have been trying our hardest to locate the actual pot with no success yet. Italy Nick also found another coin to add to the Saxon silver sceat hoard we found in Sept taking the total now to 11. This one is well crispy and cannot be cleaned as hoards have to be taken to the museum in the condition they are dug. Can Bill also found another Saxon sceat on a different site that Dr Martin at the Fitzwilliam museum has ID'd and recorded on the EMC database below. Ill Mike, who has been hunting here for 12 years, finally got the monkey off his back with one of the best looking milled gold coins I have ever seen dug. They were out searching for another one of those 'duck egg sized' gold ingots and he popped the beauty, sucker it mint. Org Stuart popped another Celtic hoard addendum gold coin a mint 70 BC Morini boat tree Celtic gold qtr. Fl Paul added a thick chunk off a possible wrist torc to the gold count which has been reported as treasure to the museum. Check out this years gold finds Gold page It will be interesting to see what the curator at the BM makes of this find. There have been too many neat finds to post on the news page so check out the rest I have posted on the March 2019 finds page. 70 BC Morini Celtic gold qtr stater- reported as hoard addendum to museum 1.47g,10.79g Crisp Roman silver coin sent for ID 2.62g,18.35mm Hadrian, 117-138 A.D. AR denarius, Mint of Rome, 135 A.D. Nice one for a dugup in agricultural fields. You got this one more or less just in time before it suffered more significant degradation from the fertilizers and pesticides. Mark These are hard to find 1709 Anne milled silver shilling (12 pence) Huge Victorian silver jewelry item - registered number 330 S C600 -775 Saxon silver sceat - sent for recording and ID to EMC 1.09g,12.28mm Thanks for this Series D (Type 2c), which I have recorded as EMC 2019.0088. 13thC vessica seal matrix It's our old friend CREDE MICHI -- "believe me" -- i.e. you can believe what is written beneath this seal as being genuine. The lettering is not perfect however! I'd transcribe CREDE [M]IChI. -- possible that the letter before the final C is meant to be MI ligatured, but if so, it's been bungled! Keep 'em coming -- and, ideally, nice easy ones like this! regards, Malcolm Roman silver hoard coin addendum No46 - reported to museum and sent for ID 2.79g,18.68mm Continuing with the theme of less-than-pleasant emperors: Caracalla (198-217 AD), as co-emperor with Septimius Severus, 198-209 AD. AR denarius, issued 207 AD. Rx: PONTIF TR P X COS II securitas enthroned right, at her ease in seat with cornucopiae as arms; head propped on right hand, holding scepter with left; small altar before her. Mark Roman silver hoard coin addendum No45 - reported to museum and sent for ID 2.56g,17.03mm Commodus. Son of Marcus Aurelius, his sole reign marked the end of the era of “The Good Emperors”. He slowly went crazy, and by the end of his reign/life had convinced himself he was the reincarnation of Hercules and was regularly fighting wild beasts in the arena. This was not considered correct or appropriate behavior for an emperor, to say the least – plus he was an all-around shit to everyone, highly paranoid, and tended to have any foe, real or imagined, executed. He was portrayed, extremely inaccurately from an historical standpoint, as the main antagonist in the movie “Gladiator”. They made him evil enough, but nowhere nearly so bat-poo unhinged as he was in real life. Commodus, sole reign, 180-192 A.D. AR denarius issued 186 A.D.
Mark
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25th Feb 2019 - Great start to the 2nd half of the season with a couple Celtic gold40-30 BC Trinovantes Rowntree Fern leaf Celtic gold qtr stater Wreath crossed by spike with 3 pellets,crescents below,stylised hair above Annulate horse r,grooved tail, fern like motiff above, cogwheel sun below Sent to PAS for recording 12.64mm,1.27g
This isn't the Tring Wheel type, it's a Fern Leaf quarter, DK 442, ABC 2362; they're a little rarer than the Tring Wheels, this is the fifth recorded example. If you'd like to send a findspot (parish only) I'll do a CCI card for it, PAS have given up using Index numbers and are just giving their own unique reference code. All the best John
Nice to get back out there hunting after the half season break. Wash Tom, who has been coming here for 10 years popped his first ever Celtic gold coin on the the very first day of the hunt. He was using the power of the CTX 3030 machine programmed with all the previous hoard coins locations marked on his screen, he popped another hoard addendum coin fragment in between the flags he put out. Not the best example in the world but it counts!! What is amazing is later in the week he popped a 2nd Celtic gold on new land and it is an excessively rare and totally mint Fern leaf design, our first ever of that type. I thought it was Tring type but the CCI's comments above make it even rarer. Tom had a hell of a hunt this week and also found our best ever debased Henry VIII front facing bust type in mint condition, especially for a coin with this low a grade of silver content. His mate Bill found a very unusual 18thC Indian gold fanim, holed to be used as a pendant. Bill also got a half of a Cunobelin Celtic silver unit. I have posted a load more finds to the latest finds page Feb 2019 finds page and updated the gold page, 39 pieces of gold so far this season. The guys have left now and the next team in arrives Saturday. Coin from same hoard 50 BC late British G 'Early Clacton' gold stater - reported to museum as hoard addendum
Medieval crucifix These are very rare to find and our best ever debased 1544-7 Henry VIII hammered silver groat - bust 2 - 3rd issue Mint mark Lis - CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR -Canterbury mint Toward the end of Henry VIII's reign, the silver was progressively debased from 9oz.2dwt. (.758) in 1544, through 6oz.2dwt (.508) in 1545, to 4oz.2dwt. (.342) in 1546. At this last standard, the blanched silver surface of the coins soon wore away to reveal the copper alloy beneath which earned for Henry the nickname 'Old Coppernose'. 1158 -1189 AD Henry II hammered silver farthing ' Tealby' cross and crosslet type n 1158 a monetary reform was introduced in England which was of sufficient importance for the contemporary chroniclers to record that 'a new money was made, which was the sole currency of the kingdom.' This coinage is notorious for its ugly appearance, bad craftsmanship and careless execution. It continued till 1180, and is named after a large hoard which was found at Tealby, Lincolnshire, in 1807 10-40 AD Cunobelin Celtic silver unit
18thC Indian debased gold Fanim pendant
Fascinating coin - initially thought is was Saxon silver sceat as the size matches. I do not recognise the markings and have sent it off to Fitzwilliam museum for ID and recording. Is it probably an Indian debased gold Fanim pendant? 1.08g,9.41mm Reinstated this news page 14th Feb 201914th Feb 2019 Season restarts on Saturday - New electronic export system proposed
Our new site https://colchestertreasurehunting.com/news/ is suffering constant malfunctions with Word Press and I have not been able to update the news page regularly. I have reinstated this, our original site, to post regular updates. The 2nd half of the season kicks off on Saturday with a special early 10 day hunt with Wash Tom's team. Then a short break and the main hunts start on the 3rd March. The first half of the season produced 35 gold finds so we are on target for a great season final total. Several of the gold finds like the duck egg sized gold nugget and our first ever Celtic gold votive offering are in with a shout for possible finds pf the year. 1. 1582 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpence - bell mint mark I have been beavering away completing the last of the export applications for all the guys pouches from Sept/Oct and a load of approved export licenses have already been returned, name lists posted onto the members forum. This is a very time consuming process where every piece of metal over 50 years old has to be photographed and itemised and it can be up to 10 + pages per guy. I have to then print off 3 colour copies of the word document + a triple carbonated export application form. This has to be then physically posted, a huge number of trees are cut down to eventually get an export license approved and returned to me. Again the physical officially stamped export license together with one of a my word documents officially stamped is sent back to me in the post. I have been doing this for over 15 years so I have just taken it as read. However brilliant news, behind the scenes they are now talking about a totally electronic replacement version and I was invited to a meeting to give my input on a the new proposed electronic replacement service. It will give me the ability complete the same work on line and fire it off to export duties in box. I will be able to log on to their system and be able to monitor its process. Currently every export application I make has to be physically sent by export duty onto a specialist advisor at the British Museum to vet that none of the finds is of National Importance or constitute a possible hoard or treasure. All the processes surrounding an export application are very slow and time consuming and the only way to find out where the application is in the process is make a phone call to export duty. More missed finds have been posted to the last finds page 2018Octfinds I have created a new finds page ready for the kick off on Saturday. 2019Febfinds. All new finds will be posted there as they are made.
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Latest news pageClick this link belowhttps://colchestertreasurehunting.com/news/
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Holiday availabilty schedule updatedLatest April 2018 finds pageRoman gold coin send for ID 19mm,7.70g Well, even though Roman gold is way out of the orbit in which I normally travel, I see absolutely no reason to question its authenticity. I presume you know this is an aureus of Claudius. It’s obviously clear enough overall that there should be no doubt about the legends, but for the sake of form: My congratulations to all involved – well found!
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New March 2018 finds page to started
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From 5th Nov 2016 Latest News page has now movedLatest news is now posted directly to our new Colchestertreasurehunting.com modern web page. This is our new replacement web site with searchable features and mobile device freindly. Colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk will continue in tandem as a reference database for all the 14 years of historical finds. http://colchestertreasurehunting.com/news/ Lastest finds are always posted to http://colchestertreasurehunting.com/finds/
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29th Oct 2016 10 day break and new web site- Gold ring vid Short Video of Medieval Gold Ring find
The last team of guys left last Saturday and I have been tied up with our new web site fine tuning the off line database. I now have the ability to do updates off line and upload as a group to make thing quicker. http://colchestertreasurehunting.com/ I have still have a load of the guys finds from last week to upload yet to the latest finds page 2016 Oct finds page. The next team of guys in arrives on the 3rd Nov for 10 days and then we break for the first half off the season. I have updated this years gold page with another couple of modern pieces of gold years gold page Date from: Circa AD 1600 Cast copper alloy This instrument has a globular knopped handle at the hinge. There is a small ridge just below the knop on the outer edge of each of the arms. The upper sections of each arms is flattened and one is recessed to accommodate the other. The arms then change shape to have a square cross-section before tapering to form points. There are some decorative facets on the inner edges of the arms near the flattened upper section. There is no evidence of maker's marks. Similar dividers have been recorded on The Portable Antiquities Scheme database. For example, see finds: LON-33D734; NMS-886014; LVPL-6DBFA6. Stunning Victorian gold pendant with stones and pearls Medieval badges Ref Mitchiner p244 939 - 941
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10th Oct 2016 More gold and stonking relics
1806 George III milled gold 1/3rd guinea 2.80g, 17.11mm I have posted huge number of great silver and relics to the latest finds page 2016 Oct finds page. The guys have been finding an unusual number of milled silver on new land including florins and half crowns that I have posted to that page. NC Jeff found a stunning Roman votive offering figurine below which is a definite 'find of the year' contender and then Idaho Mike found his first ever gold coin find with a neat George III third guinea. Casey popped a 104 BC Roman silver republican coin in remarkable condition for it's age and Mark Lehman has sent his complete ID below. I have updated this years gold page with another piece of modern gold years gold page Roman bronze votive figurine 18.88g, 27.2mm L x 18mm H x 16.23 mm W Medieval lead bust mount Large stone fossil Very unusual to have a c13thC 'round type' medieval seal matrix with suspension loop. Normally the vessica type seals are suspension but round types are always bell type. Early BC Republican silver Roman coin - sent for ID Okay, I have it: AR Denarius - Coelia 2 - C. Coelius Caldus, 104 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma left. Crawford/RRC 318/1a; Sydenham/CRR 582; SRCV 196; BMC 1435-62; Babelon/RSC Coelia 2. Mark
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10th Oct 2016 More stunning finds
Roman glass bottle
Saxon 978 - 1016 AD Æthelred II's Long Cross type hammered silver penny - sent to Fitzwilliam museum for recording and final ID This is Æthelred II Long Cross type, London mint, moneyer Ædwold. The guys have been having a great hunt and I have posted loads more really great hammered silver and relics to the latest finds page 2016 Oct finds page. Seattle Casey added another Saxon silver penny to the disclaimed hoard from last year with a very crisp Æthelred II Long Cross type that Dr Martin has ID'd as the moneyer Ædwold. Ill Tim found a neat pure gold collar stud that I have added to this years gold page years gold page. Chicago Ron found the largest medieval seal matrix below I have seen and it is mint shape. I still have tons more great finds to upload to the the latest finds page.
Victorian solid gold collar stud
Extra large 13thC seal matrix - sacrificial lamb impression The central design of a lamb with flag is often accompanied by the inscription ECCE AGNUS DEI, although that is not the case with that example.
Very unusual gilded fretwork early medieval harness pendant
205 million years old fossil Name: Clypeus plotti Medieval complete purse bar and swivel 14thC Heraldic medieval shield pendant - rampant Lion with enameled inlay " Per Pale or and vert overall a lion rampant gules".
Cal Jim
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4th Oct 2016 Gob-smacking gold finds Spectacular c13thC medieval gold annular brooch +AMOR VINCIT OMNIA -(Love Conquers All) 2.55g, 18mm dia Reported as treasure to museum 1361- 69 Edward III hammered gold qtr nobel - Treaty period, Large pellet at centre of reverse cross Obv EDWAR DEI GRAC ANGL D 19mm,1.83g Pen Christy popped the most gob-smacking medieval gold annular brooch I have ever seen and in mint condition, easily a find of the year contender. I have reported it to the museum and landowner as treasure. Chicago Ron then added his first ever medieval hammered gold coin find to take his impressive gold coin total 18 gold coins. He is our most successful gold coin finder in the clubs history and 90 % of his gold coin finds are ancient Celtic staters. Nh Tom popped the stunning medieval enameled harness pendant below and our club researchers are scanning the Heraldic Rolls to try and find the owner. It looks like a jester facing left. Another one of my favourite finds below is the 'scum class' early railway ticket/badge below? Mail me with any info you might have on was use this plaque was used for please. I posted a load more great silver coins and widgets to the latest finds page and trying to mirror the new site.2016 Oct finds page http://colchestertreasurehunting.com/finds/ Stunning 13thC enameled heraldic pendant - researching family The Newcastle & North Shields Railway opened in June 1839 from a temporary terminus in Carliol Square in Newcastle upon Tyne to North Shields. The railway was absorbed by the Newcastle & Berwick Railway in November 1844. The Newcastle & Berwick Railway was itself absorbed by the York, Newcastle & Berwick Railway, and this became part of the North Eastern Railway in 1854. The average speed of express trains in 1841 was 31–34 miles per hour (50–55 km/h).Third-class carriages were painted light green, and the first was 20 feet 8 inches (6.30 m) long and 7 feet 9 inches (2.36 m) wide, did not have doors and carried 60 passengers. First class carriages were painted crimson, maroon, and in one case a rich light scarlet claret edged with yellow and second-class passengers were light brown and vermilion.
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1st Oct 2016 Stonking gold ring - new 2016 Oct finds page created - Last day for POTY I have created a new 2016 Oct finds page as the Sept one is now massive. 'Pouch of the year' voting by members ends tonight at 2355 GMT, mail me your vote and also guess at this years forum comp to win a weeks free trip next season. I have posted loads more great relics and silver coins to the new Oct and Sept hunt pages, I am backed up with finds and have tons more great hammered silver to post yet. Marl Scott did it again with a monster gold 15thC ring off new land, not content with his Saxon gold shilling find from a few days ago !!. Can Ron also popped a neat little treasure with a 16thC Tudor gilded silver clothing fastener in great shape. I have updated this years gold page
Medieval inscribed gold ring - no hall marks - reported as treasure to museum 'IIIy GOD is al '“My God is al[l]”. 22mm dia,2.80g
Saxon Stirrup terminal 1351-2 Edward III hammered silver groat - Cross 1 Type F Obv EDWARD DG ANGL REX Z FRANC D hYB Rev POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM (outer) CIVITAS LONDON (Mint) (inner) Late medieval lock c1000BC Bronze Age casting slag, includes a fragment of a socketed axe bottom right 17thC working toy petronel (pistol) Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL The toy is based on the match-lock 'petronels' of the 16th and 17th Centuries
70mm long 16thC Tudor gilded silver clothing fastener - reported as treasure to museum
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More extended news page click here Archived news pages below More news pages Brad's gold medieval gold statue English Saxon gold coin found Double Cunobelin Celtic gold Chicago Reid's Roman gold ring NS Andy's Saxon strap end Medieval Iconic gold ring find First Celtic gold of the season Celtic Woad cosmetic grinder and Jeff Roman Pecker find Viking silver strap end- Rare Roman silver coin finds Great Saxon silver finds Offa Rex - Coenwulf - Hammered gold Villa Dig - Roman gold - Celtic gold hoard found Can Majos and Mass Bills gold rings - Texas Dave's hammered gold Roman gold coin - Mass Bruce's axe hoard 2000BC Axe - Boston Buds Saxon gold michelle@colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk
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