Sept 2008 Finds page 2

50Bc Gallo Belgic Celtic gold stater - 17.42mm, 6.19g - CCI 08.9320

15thC half Ryal coin weight - 15.90mm, 4.01g-61.9gn

Early Medieval decorated buckle with integral box chape

French Infantry Button
119th Line Regiment
Circa 1803-1814

1704 Queen Anne trade weight - London mintmark Crown A

Georgian glass and copper alloy ring

East Anglian Type - IC stands for Jesus Christ - 54.25g, 49.34mm H x 31.73mm W x 13.94mm T

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

These ampoule were brought from pilgrimage places as a souvenir

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

Loads of 18thC crotal bells being dug

17th lead tarde token

17thC belt slide

1930 George V milled silver sixpence (28)

Post medieval lead hanging weight

27th regiment of foot lapel badge

18thC lead palm guard

Royal Reg't of Artillery
Generic Issue
Officer & O/R's - 1831-1840

1550 -1650 Buckle

16thC copper alloy finger ring

17thC clasp fragment

Musket ball with casting sprue

18thC livery button

Victorian Toy key

Huge pewter medallion - no idea what symbol means

17thC decorated finger ring - fish symbol ?

1817 George III milled silver sixpence (29)

Complete Georgian watch winder

17th mount with 2 integral lugs

Victorian Black enamel and glass stone ring

13th C hammered silver short cross penny - will need to get the goldsmith to straighten it to ID the King

1916 George V milled silver halfcrown (30 pence)

Flattened 1696 William III milled silver 6 pence love token over stamped MC (31)

18thC clog fastener

1872 Victorian milled silver shilling (12 pence)

1851 Victorian milled silver sixpence (33)

1929 George V milled silver sixpence (34)

Very unusual medieval King Edward hammered silver penny - I know of no quatrefoil on reverse with a cross at centre - It also has a 4 pellet in one qtr - needs more research

18thC Rev War period 31st Regiment of foot Officer's button

Royal Reg't of Artillery

Officer & O/R's - 1831-1840

I know this one on sight - and it's actually fairly scarce. This is the short-lived emperor Magnentius. You can easily recognize him and his brother by their distinctive and somewhat silly-looking mullet hair-do's. An interesting footnote to the period of Constantius II's reign, Magnentius had been a general of Constans'. Around the time Constans died in 350 AD, Magnentius had recently been proclaimed emperor by his legions and his authority was widely accepted in Gaul and other Western Provinces, particularly in the power-vacuum caused by Constans' demise. He named his younger brother Decentius Caesar in the spring of the next year - 351. Their rule was meteoric and brief, with both of them commiting suicide after a string of lost battles in 353.

If, as you say, it's "like a typical 3rd c size" (and I'll assume you really meant 4th century here) this would be a somewhat lightweight Centenionalis, or possibly a half - RIC says "20-21mm & 5.07gm for average size & weight and doesn't list a normal half-piece, but it's not unusual for them to be found a bit on the smallish side. This reverse, GLORIA ROMANORVM, with the ruler spearing an unfortunate "barbarian" enemy from horseback, was struck only for Magnentius and not for his younger brother - and only for a short time.

This piece is from the mint at Lugdunum - modern-day Lyon in France - and dates to the period before the elevation of Decentius, so it's pretty solidly dateable to January 350 - Spring 351.

RIC Lugdunum 115, LRBC 214, SR 4021.

Mark

Saxon C600 - 775 AD Silver Sceat sent to Fitzwilliam museum for recording and ID 12.08mm,1.25g

'Many thanks for this interesting new find, which I have recorded as EMC 2008.0410.

This seems to be a new variety of the Vernus type, with an inscription reading VE[N?]VEO. It does not really belong to any of the varieties of the Vernus type described in Michael Metcalf's Thrymsas and Sceattas.
The curved object on the obverse is probably derived from the 'plumed bird' type of Series E, which Metcalf suggests is the origin of the Vernus type. The relatively high weight is normal for the Vernus type, but your comment about the debasement of the silver is interesting.

Regards'

Martin

Roman stone shot

CSA badge ?

20thC W.Bruce Spitlefields market London trade token

17thC decorated belt slide

1770's bullion weight with Lion mark - 2 pennyweight

'Annulet' pennyweight type

1936 George V milled silver shilling (35)

1652, 8 Maravedis revalidated with VIII counterstamp on 8 Maravedis of 1625 of uncertain mint, Felipe IV (1621-1665) of Spain

20thC Silver ring - 'Silver made in England

1422-27 Henry VI Annulet issue hammered silver groat (4 pence) Initial mark pierced cross

obv HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGLIE Z FRANCE

Outer legend POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM

Inner legend - VILLA CALISIE - Calais Mint

3.63g,26.14mm

1427-30 Henry VI Rosette -Mascle issue hammered silver groat (4 pence) Initial mark incurved pierced cross

obv HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGLIE Z FRANCE

Outer legend POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM

Inner legend - VILLA CALISIE - Calais Mint

3.25g,25.81mm

The Queens regiment cap badge

Button with Crown

Roman drop pendant

Interesting trade weight - no hallmarks

19thC livery button

Georgian bell clapper

18thC silver button

Neat Georgian button with peal inlay

Unusual crown on this Navy button - not checked ref books yet

17thC copper alloy deorated ring

1279 Edward 1st hammered silver florin penny -class 10cf3

Obv EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1.35g, 18.25mm

1937 george V milled silver sixpence (36)

Interesting 16thC Jetton - not checked ref books yet

1697 William III milled silver shilling - Coventry mint (37)

Gallo Belic 50 BC Celtic gold full stater 6.30g, 17.59mm - CCI 08.9323

1573 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 3 pence - acorn mintmark 5th issue

Crisp 1584 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpence - A mint mark 6th issue

1582 - 84 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver half groat (2 pence)- A mint mark 6th issue

1574 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver half groat (2 pence)- Acorn mint mark 4th issue

Roman lead token

1826 William IIII trade weight - London Crown W 6.87g

c13th C Medieval lead hammered silver penny

Roman bronze decorated Amphora strap end 44.38mm L x 23.89 W 17.23g

Medieval seal matrix 20.22m dia , 9.34g

RN Capt / Commander - 1901

The Essex Regiment cap badge

1696 William III milled silver sixpence (38)

Trinty House pilot button

'Trinity Light Vessel Service'

Mid 19th C Firmin & Sons

T.C Nunn stores £1 token

Scotland Alexander 1246-1286 hammered silver penny Class 4

obv - ALEXANDER DEI GRA

Rev -REX SCOTORUM - King of Scotland

1817 George III milled silver shilling (39)

1247 Henry III hammered silver penny - Class 3 a

Facinationg coin - Moneyer is Nichole but the mint is not in C.Wren's book. Mint clearly starts VCE which his no known mint ?

17thC Charles II silver button - reported as treasure

Early hand made pure gold ring - no hall marks 1.18g, 23.26mm x 1.06mm T

Reported to Colchester museum as potential treasure

Smallest Jetton I have ever seen, it is like a 1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jetton - need to check it in the ref books

0.54g, 14.22mm

Unusual 17thC mount with 2 integral lugs - note the decorated ends of the mount

1550 -1650 spur buckle

This would have been one amazing crotal bell if it was complete - never seen a cherub face on a bell - Circa 16th C

850 BC Bronze Age socketed axe 37.04 W x 30.58mm L47.54g

Medieval bronze seal ring - bearded figure sitting - 2.70g, 18.86 mm dia x 9.62 mm W

Roman plain loop buckle

Superb find - 1st C Celtic wode grinder - 'bull head' type with broken suspension loop

Another unpublished coin in Wren or North - Clearly an Archbishop or Archiepiscopal issue with quatrefoils on reverse and 5 sided star and key by bust. No coin has the combination of star and key. Should be T or B and key. Edward IV 1461 AD - I will send it off to the British Musuem expert for his views

Silver cane top - London hallmark 1850

18thC clog fastener

1690's William III milled silver sixpence (40)

Roman silver coin contempory forgery - copper core

Roman lead catapault shot

Huge deocrated lead hanging weight

Circa 1260 AD lead personal seal , 4 have been found attached to pasture rights. The design is typical of mid 13thC non heraldic seals

Roman strap end fragment

19thC customs button

Trinty House pilot button

'Trinity Light Vessel Service'

Mid 19th C Firmin & Sons

Neat Georgian button

'AUSETIGIO REGIS ETSEM US ANGLIA'

BUTTON ?

WWII NDF button ?

RN Capt / Commander - 1812

1341 Edward III florin type hammered silver penny - Initial mark Cross 2

obv EDWR ANG* *** HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR - Canterbury mint

1840 Victorian milled silver 6 pence (41)

1850 Ducth 1/16th of a skilling copper coin

19thC advertising watch winder

20th C Gaming token

1840 Victorian milled silver 6 pence (42)

This is an interesting piece as it is domed lead like a Medieval Pilgrims item and would have been a pendant by the hanger hole. One for the museum to look at

Gallo Belgic 50BC Celtic gold stater 6.38g, 16.96mm

1507-9 Henry VII Regular profile issue hammered silver groat - Triple banded crown - Pheon initial mark

2.90g, 27.51mm

Obv HENRIC VII DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRA

Rev POSUI DEUM ADIUTO(R)E MEU(M)

19thC Eastern Railways and steam ship Co

Essex counties button

Early foreign navy ? not checked ref books yet

19thC The Great Eastern Railways button

Essex badge

Hunting button

Georgian pewter button with glass stones

East London Engineers button

Generic merchant navy button

Georgian bell type trade weight

27th Regiment of foot button

Not found this type before, 5 pennyweight and 8 grain bullion weight 1770's pattern

1825 D.Hill & Co Wollen maufacturers, clothiers, drapers, shipowners,shippers, outfitters to all parts of the world

Hartlepool

'Retrorsum Novesvig Nulla'

vestigia ... nulla retrorsum: No signs of any returning, usually translated, no stepping back

42nd Regiment of foot

O/R's - 1810-1855

1795 pattern Royal artillery button

Georgian button

Georgian fob seal with mans head facing right

17thC silver cufflinks reported as potential treasure

C10thC Saxon lead token

Star button - USA ?

1351-2 Edward III hammered silver groat - Cross 1 Pre treaty series C

Obv EDWARD D G REX ANGL Z FRANC D HYB

26.99mm, 4.38g

Crown button ?

19th C Stag hunting button

1560-1 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver penny - Cross Crosslet 2nd issue

1697 William III milled silver sixpence (43)

1891 Victroain milled silver sixpence (44)

1568 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpence - Coronet mintmark 3rd issue

Real nice military button - not checked ref books yet

19thC hawking button

1634 Charles 1st hammered silver half groat

17thC lead token - man standing

Early Irish Army button ?

1694 William and Mary copper half penny

1572-3 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver half groat

1862 Victorian milled silver 3 pence (45)

Looks like a Roman Republican silver - BC in date - got it cooking to remove crust

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

Superb find medieval lead decorated spindle whorl

1945 George V milled silver sixpence (46)

17thC Nicolas Straight of Tewkesbury Gloucestershire hammered copper trade farthing

1623-4 James 1st hammered silver half groat - 3rd coinage Lis mintmark

Stunning medieval gold statue pendant - C13th judging by the Lombardic script on the scroll . This is probably to do with the Catholic church (DEI) and one of the members suggested FRCO is St Francis

Script reads FRCO ++SMYUNC +DEI - reported to Colchester museum as treasure

32.80mm H ,11.46g

1645 Charles 1st hammered silver shilling - Tower mint under parliament - Eye mintmark 32.09mm, 5.87g

1274 Edward 1st hammered silver penny - Class 3d 16.72mm, 1.04g

Obv EDWR ANGL DNS HYB

Rev VILL/ABR/ISTO/LLIE - Bristol mint

Intertesting 17thC mount with 2 integral lugs

1894 Victorian milled silver shilling 12 pence (47)

16thC Tudor seal matrix - horse head facing right

Interesting Medieval hammered silver penny with a legend ending in AC ? Still working on it

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

40 AD Cunobelin Celtic silver unit - in the 'cooker' to clean it up sent to CCI for recording and ID 14.25mm, 1.32g

The two Cunobelin silvers are very nice, and a rare type at that. The first one (West side of the Bronze Age village) will be 08.9325, and logically enough today's will be 08.9326. They are both the same type, I think - the seated figure is to the left on the second one. The only standard reference for the type is no. 308 in Spink's Coins of England, it's not in Van Arsdell or the BM catalogue. On the first one of the two you can see the amphora which the seated figure is holding quite clearly, but the CVNOBE doesn't show up too well on either. I don't have the exact figures here for rarity, but I don't think there are more than a dozen of these recorded at most. Date is perhaps somewhere in the middle of Cunobelin's reign, say perhaps c. 20-25 AD.

Thanks again for all these,
Best wishes
Philip

RN Capt / Commander - 1787
RN Lieutenant - 1787

Georgian watch winder

1858 Victorian milled silver 3 pence (48)

1855 Victorian milled silver 6 pence (49)

1582-4 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 3 pence - 'A' mintmark

July 1818 Queen Adelaide/ Willam IIII marriage medallion

Very interesting find, first base metal version of the silver 17thC Charles II marriage button

18thC guinea gaming token

1st C Roman bronze sent for ID

That is indeed a sestertius - or what's left of one - and was issued posthumously in honor of Lucius Verus - co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius from 161 AD to his death in 169. He wasn't much help while he was alive, being more interested in the "percs" and pleasures of Imperium than in service like his senior partner Marcus Aurelius, who spent nearly his whole reign out on the borders fighting "barbarian" invaders. He was "family", however - the son of Hadrian's chosen heir Aelius who predeceased him (Hadrian), and was married to Marcus Aurelius' daughter Lucilla - so was accorded all the conventional honors, etc.

The "wedding cake" looking arrangement on the reverse is a huge funeral pyre. The Romans cremated their dead, mostly, and the more important a person, the more public and lavish the event. Those who had no real "name" but were rich, might arrange for extravagant funerals as well, to try to gain some fame after death, at least.

There were two "stock" posthumous reverses for emperors at this time, the "layer-cake" crematory pile and an eagle standing on a globe. This coin was issued by Marcus Aurelius right after Verus' death in 169 AD. Similar coins were issued for both Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius after their deaths - Verus' posthumous coins are a bit scarcer than either of the other two - Verus' lackluster life and career wasn't seen as deserving more than perfunctory, if Imperial, honors

Mark

Interesting widget from the field- anyone know what it is ?

WWII Air raid police button

19thC livery button

16th C Henry VIII trade weight - Crown h mark London

Interesting marks on reverse to lighten the weight ?

Roman bronze armour mount

1550 -1650 buckle

Medieval hammered silver cut 1/4 penny

19thC livery button

EARLY POST MEDIEVAL seal spoon handle Circa 1500 AD - Circa 1599 AD

Georgian gilded button

Medieval disc brooch - star of David

Stunning early medieval lead shield trade weight - Lion pracing right - first of that type we have found

1422-61 AD Bronze coin weight - French Ecu - Three lis in shield type

10 to 40 AD Cunobelin Celtic silver unit - figure sitting, facing left - in the 'cooker' starting to clean it up, sent to CCI for recording and ID 14.59mm, 1.14g

17thC button

Medieval mount with 2 rivet fixings

Remarkable Roman bronze 6.99g, 28.90mm sent for ID

Interesting one . There were 2 emperors who used the name "Maximianus" - one was Diocletian's colleague Maximianus "Hercules" who had a colorful career, being emperor no less than 3 times in his life and Constantine the Great's father-in-law, among other factoids. There was also his junior colleague Galerius Valerius Maximianus, generally known as "Galerius". Galerius was Caesar under Maximian, then he was Maximian Augustus in his own right during the first of the senior Maximian's abdications. He was also one of the VERY few emperors of this era who died in his own bed (albeit from a dreadful disease).

So the issue is, when faced with a coin with the obverse legend: "...MAXIMIANVS PF AVG", which Maximian do we have here, the 1st or "2nd"? - it's one case where if he'd been called "Maximian II" it would be more useful than his given name of Galerius. So, depends on when the coin was issued - and this we must discern from the sequence marks. So, we have to approach this coin from the reverse to try tell when it's from in order to know who it is. And, Voila! this coin has neither exergual mintmark or fieldmarks to help us, plus it's the extremely common reverse type of Genio Populi Romani - well, isn't that interesting? OK, then, the obverse legend is: "IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG" so we turn to the list of obverse legends in RIC VI to see which mints used that form of the name - and it turns out to be all of them, no help here either. Luckily, in the plates for RIC VI, there is a photo of a GENIO POPVLI ROMANI follis with a blank exergue and fields for Lugdunum - modern Lyon.

So, this appears to be RIC VI, Lugdunum 14b - c. 296 AD. I cannot, however, be absolutely certain that no other mint issued for either Maximian as Augustus a GENIO PR follis which had no exergual or fieldmarks - absence of evidence not equalling evidence of absence and all that - without spending an absurd amount of time turning pages in a volume over 725 pages long. The findspot being Britain, however, a Western European mint like Lugdunum is quite likely.

Since Galerius, the junior Maximian, was a Caesar at this time, this must then be the elder Maximian.

Mark

More of the latest finds

Sept 2008 finds page 1

Oct 2008 finds page 1