9th May 2010 Treasure updates - More site updates

Monster find -Circa 1300 BC Bronze age gold open backed triple banded gold ring

3.48g, 13.73mm dia x 6.74mm H

Reported to Colchester museum as treasure

I have been receiving lots of treasure updates from the treasure registrar at the British museum issuing treasure case number for our latest reported treasures. I have also receive a number of letters from the coroner's office detailing those going forward for inquest or been disclaimed. The latest is Oregon's Ed's ring above which they have confirmed as a 'Bronze Age composite ring' . Ill Mark's 'silver'' Saxon strapend, he has already donated to Colchester museum, has been disclaimed as not being 10% silver by weight, it has a high copper tin alloy content. Disclaimed items are either that do not fulfil the criteria for treasure or are not items they do not wish to purchase.

I updated the hoard and treasure page with the latest updates.

Disclaimed items - returning to finder

Treasure Case 2009 T523 - Tendring district:16thC  pin head - disclaimed

Treasure Case 2009 T620 - Post Medieval incomplete silver buckle frame from the Tendring District - disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2010 T167 -  9thC Saxon strapend Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2009 T614 - Roman bronze coin hoard Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2009 T521- 16thC silver gilt dress fitting Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2010 T171 - 17thC silver cufflink Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2009 T520 - Medieval silver dress fitting Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2009 T522 - Medieval silver dress pin Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2010 T37 - Post Medieval silver dress fitting Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2009 T217- Silver brooch fragment- post 1709 Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2009 T220 - Post medieval gold finger ring Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2009 T220 - Medieval silver figure Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

Treasure Case No: 2009 T38 - Post medieval dress fitting Colchester area of Essex- disclaimed

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Items going forward to inquest

Treasure Case No: 2010 T163. Gold bar from the Colchester area of Essex
(Receipt No: 6981)

Treasure Case No: 2010 T169.  Gold cloisonné fitting from Colchester area , Essex
(Receipt No: 6979)

Treasure Case No:2010 T170.  Gold fragment from the Colchester area of Essex
(Receipt No:6978)

Treasure Number: 2010 T165  Post Medieval gold finger ring from the Colchester District, Essex.
(Receipt number: 6977)

More updates to the individual pages below with this seasons finds.

	Early milled silver - Charles to Anne		Victoria milled coins
	Post Victorian milled coins		Clog fastners
	Georgian milled coins		William IIII

8th May 2010 More exports and Saxon finds

Very interesting phallus mount - not sure of date - one for the museum

Uploaded more export pictures and finds list to the members forum. There were more great bonus do dads in the pouches including 3 more Saxon harness fittings and our first type 10 coiled animal type stirrup mount.

Updated the new Saxon harness fittings page

I have updated the Forum competition page with the latest copper count

2 - Saxon bridal mounts	Saxon stirrup mount - type 10 Coiled animal

18thC bullion weight - 5 pennyweights and 8 grains	18thC 18 shilling coin weight - Lion mark

Superb medieval annular buckle

5th May 2010 More updates - Find of the year voting - valuation appeal upheld

Black Sapphire Medieval gold ring 21.93mmdia,2.51g

Ill Joe who found the beautiful medieval sapphire ring, has successfully appealed the initial offer made to him from the valuation committee. The treasure process allows any finder or landowner to challenge the offer made with other examples of a similar type that achieved a higher previous offer. The valuation committee has agreed to under take a second valuation.

Who are the members of the Treasure Valuation Committee?

Just 5 days left before voting closes on the 10th May for you 'find of the year' choice, winner will be announced on the 11th May. I just posted Boston Dan's export pouch on the members forum and he had a couple of bonus Saxon harness bridal bit fragments like Beau's one below which I will take photo's of later. Bjorn the Saxon/Viking expert has confirmed it is a Saxon harness fitting not Viking

I'd say it's a fragment of a cheek-piece from a bridle bit.
It's not made in a typical style, at least not from a Norse perspective. Hence I agree on the assumed Saxon origin.

/N B

Saxon harness fitting 45.7mm L x 37.82mm W

Updated a load more individual find pages with the latest finds below. I have also sorted the Edward III page into denominations and will have to split this page shortly as it has grown too large.

EdwardIII.html

I have updated the Forum competition page with the latest copper coin count.

	Elizabeth 1st hammered silver small change		Elizabeth 1st hammered silver large change
	James 1st hammered silver coins		Coin and apothecary weights

1st May 2010 More exports - More updates - Find of the year voting

I have uploaded a load more export pouches to the members forum including several that had the disclaimed Roman bronze/silver hoard coin. Remember only those officially disclaimed treasures and hoards will appear on your export applications. Those that are still with the British museum under evaluation and could be purchased by the museums will have a 2nd export application made if they are eventually disclaimed.

The finds of the year voting has had a massive turn out from the members. 12 items are being voted for. The top find so far has 32% of the vote so it is no landslide this season. Only 7 votes separate the top two finds so it could still change with voting ending on the 10th May.

I have updated the Forum competition page with the latest copper coin count.

I have updated loads of individual find pages below with our latest finds.

	Stone and bronze age axes		Clothing and dress fasteners
	Thimbles		Buckles
	Edward 1st and 2nd hammered silver coins		Edward III gold and silver hammered coins
	Toy cannons and guns

25th April 2010 More exports and updates

Boston Beau had a really nice bonus do dad in his export pouch which appears to be a Anglo Saxon harness fitting and the first of that type we have found. I have sent it off to Bjorn the Viking/Saxon expert for his views. I have posted more complete pouches with photo's and find lists on the members forum.

I have updated the Forum competition page with the latest copper count

50BC Celtic silver 'face horse' type 1.06g - 14.18mm

Just got back the CCI record number from Ian on the Celtic silver find I sent him last week. He has confirmd my original ID.

Saxon harness fitting 45.7mm L x 37.82mm W

More updates to the hammered silver pages with out latest finds below.

	Tudor hammered silver coins 1485 to 1603		Henry II to Henry III hammered silver coins 1154 -1247
	Scottish, Irish and foreign hammered silver coins		Houses of Lancaster and York, 1377-1485 hammered silver coins
	Henry II Tealby hammered silver coins		Seal matrix

96th (Queen's Own Germans) Regiment of Foot O/R's (Brass) - 1855-1881	19thC livery button	c10thC Saxon harness cheek piece	17thC button
Interesting necklace fragment - no idea of date - one for the museum		Gold plated Victorian brooch

22nd April 2010 Huge updates and new pages

Uploaded more export pouches and finds lists to the members forum

Pensioner uncovers £500,000 treasure

I have updated a load of the Roman and Saxon pages with the latest finds. I have created a new Saxon harness fitting page and will need to create more sub division pages to make the pages smaller. I have separated out the Roman jewelry page to make viewing finds easier.

I have updated the Forum competition page. Ill Mark's pouch added 120 coppers and Mindy's another 100 to the total.

	Saxon coins and artefacts		Saxon harness fittings
	Roman silver coins		Roman gold and bronze coins
	Roman jewelry

20th April 2010 Started the export pouches - Bonus do dads

NH Dave had an amazing hunt with that very rare 'Heybridge Horse' Celtic gold coin find and with all the excitement did not get around to showing me a lot of his best finds. This is why the export process is such an important exercise where every metal find during a guys hunt is re- examined closely again. I cleaned up a crusty square lump to reveal the first Ferdinand & Isabella coin with with 2 opposing busts we have found, what a neat find. I also cleaned up the boars head knife pommel to reveal is was once silvered and has two glass stone eyes. I don't get a 'feel' for the date of this relic so one for the museum to evaluate. Dave also had two neat Saxon pieces and the middle part of a medieval purse bar. I was amazed to discover another one of those medieval Knight's templar badges in great shape. I cleaned up some really early military buttons including a stunning 18thC 81st regiment of foot officers version.

Dave added another 56 coppers coin finds to the forum competition so the total now stands at 2229. You can check your guess and the current totals as I process each guys finds pouch here Forum competition. It was a real bumper 2nd half of the season so I expect this total to be around 3500 to 4000 coins in the end.

Remember to keep sending in your 'Find of the year' votes, closing date for voting is 10th May. Current voters list is posted on the members forum and it is very important for every member to have their say. Only those members that vote will be eligible for next years win a free weeks trip competition.

Very interesting boar's knife pommel find - silver on copper with red glass eyes Not sure of date so one for the museum	1469-1504 Ferdinand and Isabella - British weight for an excellente 17.71mmsq, 6.21g
c10thC Saxon brooch	2 - 1350 to 1650 buckles
Medieval purse bar swivel joint	c10thC Saxon harness cheek piece
31st Regiment of Foot ( Huntingdonshire ) O/R's - 1855-1881 The 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1702 and amalgamated into the The East Surrey Regiment in 1881	18thC 81st regiment of foot - officers button The 81st was raised in 1793 in response to the French Revolution. The British Army was in the process of being expanded to meet the French Republican threat.On 23 September 1793, Major General Albemarle Bertie, formerly of the 1st Foot Guards, was directed to raise a regiment. However, no levy money would be provided. The original compliment was composed of the Militia of Lincoln volunteering to serve in the new regiment. Originally known as the Loyal Lincoln Volunteers, the regiment was embodied in January 1794. On 25 January 1794, the Loyal Lincoln Volunteers were re designated as the 81st Regiment of Foot. The regiment was quartered in Lincoln and Gainsborough. The first commander was Lieutenant Colonel Lewis.
Shipping line button	16th Queen's Lancers O/R's - 1881-1901

Medieval badges Ref Mitchiner p244 939 - 941

'A badge for a Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in bronze and dating somewhere around C13/14th possibly very slightly later . This is a very scarce item and it relates to The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem being a Catholic chivalric order of Knighthood that traces its roots to Godfrey of Bouillon, principal leader of the First Crusade. According to reliable sources in the Vatican and Jerusalem, it began in historical reality as a mixed clerical and lay confraternity (association) of pilgrims which gradually grew around the most central of the Christian holy places in the Middle East, the Holy Sepulchre or the tomb of Jesus Christ.This would have been a pin for a member of the order , there is a mark on the reverse where the original pin would have been fixed '

19thC livery buttons

18th April 2010 More cleaning and 'cooking' - Saxon pieces

Treasure hunt group are in for £40,000 after discovering the first penny
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1266289/Treasure-hunters-strike-silver-huge-hoard-12th-century-coins.html#ixzz0lTUHg7hF

I have managed to get good detail from the obverse of the 'cooking' Celtic silver coin so I have now weighted it and sent it off to the CCI for recording, what a great find under the crud !! I have put it back in the 'cooker' to remove what looks like copper covering the horses head.

As dug to partially cooked Celtic silver coin - East Anglian face horse type
Straight back into the 'cooker' to remove the rest of the crust

1.06g - 14.18mm

I got a great e-mail in from Paul Withers who writes all the coin & trade weight books and also the medieval English hammered silver coin book series I use as my 'Bible'. He has sent me some great amendments to the coin weight page which I have updated. Paul is going to lend his expertise to our site and I can also send him our 'unrecorded' silver hammered coins for inclusions into his books. As Paul sends us more amendments I will further update the pages.

Coin Weights

Bjorn the Viking/Saxon expert has sent me more great links on padlocks and there is an exact match to Bonnie's very rare horse padlock - no5166. I was discussing our bridal cheek pieces and stirrup mount finds with Bjorg so he has sent me a great picture of bridle set up with single knopped ended harness guides.

Bjorn has also agreed to be our club expert on anything Viking/Saxon. When we make any find of that period now I will send Bjorn pictures for his comments.

Some links:

My paper (or at least one of them) on Norse padlocks:
http://the-vikings.wdfiles.com/local--files/archeological-reports/J15_gustafsson.pdf

Horse-shaped padlock no 1:
http://www.romanlocks.com/Padlocks.htm
(scroll down to lock no 5166)

Horse-shaped padlock no 2:
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924032181681
(Pitt-Rivers book on locks from 1883.
Can be read on-line, look at Fig. 105)

Anglo-Danish/Norse bridle mounts:
http://mis.historiska.se/mis/sok/bild.asp?uid=247486
(Click the picture to enlarge it. Fig 37 show a drawing of a bit found in a burial in Eskilstuna, 110 Km west of Stockholm)

"Our" padlock is still undergoing conservation but I'll see to that you get photos of it when it's finished.

Regards

Bjorn

I have been doing more work on the finds 'cooking' and soaking.

This medieval quadrefoil pendant has been soaking for 3 weeks and finally I got the detail to come through - stunning red and green enamelled lion with fleur de lis

Finally 'cooked' Roman silver, great detail under the crud -Denarius of Severus Alexander

16th April 2010 Ron's vid v2 uploaded - Stunning medallion - Mega rare padlock

The new PAS finds.org database is now up and running with an excellent user friendly interface. They are still working through some minor glitches but it can be viewed at:

http://www.finds.org.uk/database/

I now have the ability with my ID to directly upload our finds with photo's onto the database giving full details of the find, weights, dimensions, find spots etc . I can add extra notes like Mark Lehman's Roman ID's etc and then fire them off to the database. They will then be checked for accuracy and approved or more information can be requested. This a massive saving of time for the local FLO who previously has to physically re-photograph each of our finds and fill in this information again after I took in a huge bag of relics for recording.

Ron's extended vid

Chicago Ron sent me another bunch of great video clips from last weeks hunt that I have added to the existing compellation. It includes same more classics like Mindy finding the landowners families gold mourning ring which she later presented to him. She even does the gold dance !! Either download it or stream it.

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting...ron2010HD2.wmv

1351- 1361 Edward III hammered silver groat (4 pence ) - Cross 3 Pre treaty period

Obv EDWARD D G REX ANGL Z oFRANC oD oHYB

Rev - CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

27.66mm, 4.50g

I have just finished cleaning up the last batch of fixed hammered silver coins and what could be a very important find by Min Daryl. He left me a large copper disc that was folded in the middle and asked our goldsmith to straighten it if he could. Another brilliant fixing job as it is now as straight as a die and you can clearly see what looks like Christ holding a sword. Is it a mount or a medallion ? One for the museum to evaluate.

Large medieval copper medallion - Christ holding a sword ? 43.78mm dia

I just got a great e-mail in from Bjorn at the Stockhome Archaeological Research laboratory ID'ing what I thought was a Roman votive offering. It is in fact a very rare padlock with explains it's hollow construction and the 3 cut outs in it's rear. I spoke to Bjon on the phone this morning and this find is only the 2nd one with provenance, the first one found was from a town with a history no later than 925 AD. It is possible however that this padlock could have been in use for several hundred years so late Roman or Viking is currently the best guess. It will be interesting to see what the British museum experts make of this find. Bjorn has written a paper on padlocks and is going to send me the report. He is also writing a paper on Saxon/Viking harness fittings which he is going to send me a copy of.

Hi

My name is Ny Björn Gustafsson and I'm a Swedish archaeologist working for Stockholm University. By chance I went through Your display of finds and there I to my amazement found an almost twin of an artefact currently undergoing conservation in our lab. It is the so-called "Roman bronze votive animal" found by a certain "Idaho Bonnie". For your information it is not a votive piece but a horse-shaped padlock. I would greatly appreciate if it would be possible to contact the finder/for the finder to contact me on this e-mail address! To date I know of only 4 locks of this type, of which 2 is in private collection and lack all provinience. You've made a stunning find indeed!

Kind regards

/Ny Björn Gustafsson
The Archaeological Research laboratory
Stockholm University
Sweden

Very interesting hollow Roman/Saxon padlock - red enamelled on head on nose

3 cut outs to rear

38mm L x 27.8mm H - 10.06g

13th April 2010 Huge finds video uploaded - Accommodation over view page

Archived half of this news page to speed up load times Oct 2009 to Feb 2010

There is now an accommodation over view page on the holiday site. There are 4 'Barn' self catering houses you can use now, you pick the one that suits you best. The full board is totally booked for fall 2010 from opening to the end of Oct. You can join any 'Barn hunt' with free slots during that period or use local hotels. Ill Tim will be running a 2nd Barn hunt at Barn III if there is sufficient interest. This is a go as you please hunt with your own mini bus and you can detect as many hours as your arm holds out. All the groups have the same access to the 300 + fields available for detecting. His dates are:

8th to 15th Oct and 15th to 22nd Oct

Drop me a mail if you want to join Tim's Barn hunt.

enquiries@essexfarmholidays.co.uk

Louisiana Sal is now doing a 2nd 'hard core' Barn hunt each year and has reserved the 26th to 5th March 2011 at Barn II to search our new land for the 2nd half of the season. He has limited spaces and this is serious 12 + hour days. Drop Sal a mail if you are interested.

Chicago Ron left me hundreds of clips of the guys digging finds in the field and I have compiled some of them into a huge 35 minute video. There are some absolute classics like when the two Mark's found their gold coins and the Saxon boys finding the gold hoard. Ron takes the vid's in full HD so I have made this video with better than normal streaming quality so it is 170 Meg. Ron has a bunch more clips he is going to send me yet but this video gives you a good taster.

Click here to watch or download vid

Click here to watch or download vid

12th April - More monster Celtic finds - cooked Roman silvers - Ron wins dedicated detectorist yearly award

Chicago Ron at the club raffle draw

Chicago Ronnie stands out for the clubs most 'dedicated detectorist' this season especially after his last 3 week stint. His arm was totally shagged, his back had gone, he could not even moved his neck from side to side and he was still out there swinging. The only way Ronnie would stop detecting is if he died and even then his hand would still be twitching out of the coffin. Even after 3 hard weeks of hunting he was going to be in London looking at the sites and museums for 3 days. He was back up here by 6pm wanting to hunt again after a quick 10 minutes around the British museum. That is one dedicated or serious addicted guy. Great win for one of the clubs hardest and most successful members

The last guys left this morning and even on their last half day managed to pull up one of our best ever Celtic relics and part of a 850 BC socketed bronze age axe. Idaho Ray on his first trip here pulled up a full medieval silver groat and then this stonking Celtic dragon headed toggle fastener, stunning find. Then this morning while I was playing with the 'cooking' Roman silver coin finds what had appeared initially to be a crispy 5thC Roman silver coin gave me a massive shock. Where the crust had melted off one side I instantly recognised the bust as a Celtic silver coin. The first Celtic silver coin off our new site and the first of that type we have ever found. Hopefully the obverse has good detail as it should have a horse on it.

At the moment I have 5 other crusty Roman silver's 'cooking' and the detail is starting to show through of several of them.

I have still got a bunch of finds to upload to the latest March II finds page today

As dug to partially cooked Celtic silver coin - East Anglian face horse type
Straight back into the 'cooker' to remove the rest of the crust

As dug and partially 'cooked'

Almost 'cooked' , below is Mark Lehman's initial ID, I have resent it to him now I have 'cooked' it better

Stunning find - Celtic dragon headed toggle clothing fastener - 42.55mm L x 36.99mm H 27.37g

Still 'cooking' the coin

32 BC Mark Antony, Legionary silver Denarius. ANT.AVG.III.VIR.R.P.C Galley, Legionary Eagle between two standards

Republican Roman silver, this has been 'cooking' for 6 weeks as the crust is rock hard - some detail is starting to show through

11th April 2010 More stonking Roman relics - Awards and voting time

The hunts are now closed for the season and it is time for all members to vote for your favourite 'find of the year'. Check out find pages Sept 2009 to March 2010 and drop me a mail with your choice. Closing date is the 10th May and the winner gets a free weeks holiday next season and the silver urn trophy.

Mindy wins the Wayne Otto award

Easy win this season for Mindy who is one of the clubs keenest members and is always trying to look after the guys like a mother hen. She cooked meat loaf and mash for the guys at Ronnie's Barn hunt and they licked the plates clean. Away happy and upbeat Mindy is an ambassador for the club and showed what we are all about when she gave our new landowner his families gold mourning ring she found.

Idaho Bonnie found a fascinating Roman bronze votive animal which is hollow and has three cut outs in the rear. Not sure what it's use was so one for the museum to evaluate. Idaho Gerry found a large Roman crossbow brooch which still has some of the red enamelling remaining.

I have uploaded a load more relics and hammered silver to the March II finds page.

Very interesting hollow Roman bronze votive offering animal - red enamelled on head on nose

3 cut outs to rear

38mm L x 27.8mm H - 10.06g

Red enamelled 3rd C Roman crossbow brooch 24.46g, 39.74mm

Sponge fossil - UPPER CRETACEOUS PERIOD:  83 - 71 million years ago

9th April 2010 Bronze age votive axe - More big hammered silvers

Amazing last hunt of the season produced another two full medieval groats taking the weeks total to 5 hammered silver groats. Interesting to note they are similar annulet issue Henry VI coins but different dies. Can Rob got a stonking miniature Bronze axe votive offering axe. Difficult to date but around 1000 BC, the museum will be able to give us a definitive date during the recording process. Can Rob also found an early Henry Tealby penny and another medieval heraldic shield pendant this time Maid Marion's father of Robin Hood fame. I have posted the very colourful history of Robert le FizWalter below.

I have uploaded a load more relics and hammered silver to the March II finds page.

C1000 BC Miniature Bronze Age votive axe head 9.98g, 46.22mm

1163-1167 Henry II hammered silver penny -Tealby coinage - Cross and Crosslets

Class C

Really neat fossil eyeball find

1485 Henry VII hammered silver sovereign penny - keys below shield - Archb Rotherham

Obv CIVI/TAS/EBO/RACI - York mint

1422-27 Henry VI hammered silver groat- Annulet issue-Annulet by neck in two qtrs on reverse - inital mark pierced cross Calais mint	1422-27 Henry VI hammered silver groat- Annulet issue-Annulet by neck in two qtrs on reverse - inital mark pierced cross Calais mint
Interesting to note - same coin different dies

Robert FitzWalter - enameled 13thC heraldic shield pendant

Or a fess between two chevrons gules

Robert le FizWalter

In 1206 King John refused to agree to Pope Innocent III's choice of Archbishop of Canterbury after his own choice had been rejected. Because the king still challenged the pope, in 1207 he was excommunicated (not allowed to be a member of the church) and an 'interdict' was issued by the pope.

Because of the interdict, the churches closed and their bells fell silent. With the church doors locked, services could not take place. The dead had to be buried in fields instead of in holy ground. People could not marry in church and baptisms had to be carried out in church porches.

King John's excommunication also let off the barons from their oath of loyalty to him. Because they might rebel against him at any time, King John acted quickly against anyone who looked as though they might be disloyal. We know from the Medieval Chronicles that Robert FitzWalter, the 3rd Lord of Dunmow Castle, was accused of plotting to kill King John during a rebellion in 1212. The rebellion was quickly quashed. FitzWalter was outlawed and fled to France.

Eventually in 1213, the Pope told King Philip of France that he could invade England and King John finally agreed to the Pope's terms including his choice of Archbishop. Robert FitzWalter returned home and, with the other Barons, he made peace with King John.

This did not last long, however. It was found that FitzWalter was still plotting against the King and urging for the government to be reformed. Because of this, his home in London, the Castle of Baynard, was almost entirely destroyed

Taxes, during King John's reign, were very high and became ever higher.

In 1214, King John left England to fight a war in France. To make sure the army had enough supplies, the king's Regent of the time, Peter de Roches, raised a very big tax on the barons. The war was lost and, as in the story, on the Kings' return, Robert FitzWalter called a meeting at Bury St Edmunds Abbey where it was agreed that the King must agree to the laws and freedoms granted to the barons in the charter of Henry 1st, or they would declare war on him.

Robert FitzWalter led the Baron's army under the title "Marshal of the Army of God and the Holy Church." In the end, the King was forced to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede on 15th June 1215. Several copies of the Magna Carta documents still exist.

Magna Carta means 'great charter'. To abide by Magna Carta, the King had to agree to certain laws and accept that his will was not above the law. It was not the first written document that put limits on the power of a king, but it was the first that was backed up by a council (of 25 barons) to try and make sure the king obeyed. It included a paragraph that said 'no free man shall be seized, imprisoned, disposed, outlawed, exiled or ruined in any way ? 'except by the lawful judgment of his peers?'

John did not sign the document willingly and never intended to keep to it. In September 1215, just a few months after signing the charter, King John sent a message to the Pope asking him to annul the charter. The Pope agreed and excommunicated the barons that had signed it.

As the fighting started again, FitzWalter slipped off to France and offered Prince Louis the English throne. Both Scottish and French armies invaded England. After fighting off the Scottish forces, King John's army changed direction to East Anglia, intending to quash the baron's rebellion. As his troops crossed the river Ouse on 11th October, they were caught by the rising tide and the crown Jewels sank into the Wash. Just a few days later, on 19th October, King John died at Newark.

At the time of his death, the French flag flew over East Anglia. However, a French King did not rule England as no bishop would crown Prince Louis and many of the barons, who had rebelled against King John, now gave their support to his nine-year-old son Henry.

When John became King on the death of his brother Richard in 1199, the treasury (money for running the kingdom) was nearly empty. His answer was to raise money through taxes and his reign was one of harsh laws and heavy taxes.

At the start of his reign, while he was away from England, he left Geoffrey FitzPeter in control as 'Regent'. He was a harsh man and did not worry about demanding heavy taxes and gave the local sheriffs a free hand to collect these by any means. He became very unpopular.

Like most Kings of the time John was ruthless. It was also claimed that King John killed his nephew, Arthur, in 1206, to make sure of the future of the throne. However, history may not have been very fair to King John. At this time the historians, or chroniclers, were mainly monks. These monks would have been in sympathy with the parties that King John was arguing with - that is the church and the rich estate owners (barons).

King John's reign was far from all bad for the country. Many towns such as Cambridge, Ipswich, King's Lynn and Norwich grew rich as they were given 'charters' and encouraged to govern themselves. The towns benefited from changes in the way taxes were paid and could get income from taxing market traders entering the town.

R. Turner 1994 argued that John "...had intelligence, administrative ability and he was good at planning military campaigns. However, too many personality flaws held him back". Unfortunately for King John, no king of the time could have run the country successfully without the support of the powerful Barons and Noblemen.

What of Matilda's supposed murder and her links with Robin Hood?

Robin and Marion
The monk, Matthew Paris, writing in his diary some years later in the 13th century, mentions the murder of Matilda. He records that in 1234/5, Robert FitzWalter died and that "?y his first wife, FitzWalter had, with other children, a daughter, Matilda the Fair, called 'Maid Marion,' said to have been poisoned by King John."

Matilda, his daughter, may indeed have been beautiful but very little is known of her life and death. After the rebellion of 1212, when FitzWalter and his family fled to France, it seems that he made his actions seem good, by saying the king was after his daughter and was plotting to kill his son-in-law.

King John was not a pleasant man, but many historians do not believe FitzWalter's story. Robert FitzWalter had a shady past. He had surrendered Vaudreuil in France to the French king in 1203 under suspicious circumstances. So, whether what he did was because of King John's interest in his daughter or came from a wish for more power is difficult to say.

The character of Maid Marion, like Friar Tuck, is not in the early ballads of Robin Hood. The character of Maid Marion probably came from an early French Pastoral romance ??he shepherd and shepherdess Robin and Marion'. Parts of this story and the Robin Hood stories probably merged and Maid Marion became Robin Hood's true love in the later versions of the legend.

It is in Anthony Munday's Elizabethan "Huntingdon" plays; written in the 17th century that Marian becomes an alias employed by Matilda FitzWalter. A popular romance at the time was the legend of King John pursuing Matilda, daughter of Robert FitzWalter. Robin Hood or Robin of Loxley, if such a person existed, was not a well-known Nobleman but most likely a wronged landowner, fighting to regain his family seat.

Dunmow Priory in Essex is said to be the resting-place of Robin Hood's Maid Marian. All that remains of Dunmow Priory is the present church of Dunmow; the south aisle of what was once a much larger building. However the story lives on, along with the many other tales of Robin Hood; and King John's jewels and royal regalia remain a treasure trove still to be found.

8th April 2010 Gold No 45 - Big hammered day - Spink Saxon gold result

One of the guys noticed a Spink advert that had a similar gold coin to Ill John's that just sold for £12,000 at the latest Spink auction. The Saxon gold hoard the guys found is currently at the British museum under evaluation, interesting result.

Part of the Saxon gold hoard the guys found

Cal Jim is having a monster hunt and found another chunk of ancient gold taking the club total for the season to 45 pieces. It appears to be a Celtic gold blank and has been reported as treasure to the museum. The guys have also been finding some really crisp large hammered silver coins, Jim got a Taco'd Mary Groat and another Elizabeth sixpence that will need straightening. I have uploaded a load more finds to the latest March II finds page including a really neat Medieval knights Templar badge

I have updated this years gold page

Ancient gold fragment - reported as treasure to museum - could be a Celtic qtr stater broken blank

1430-1 Henry VI hammered silver groat- Rosette mascle issue- inital mark incurved cross Calais mint	1422-30 Henry VI hammered silver groat- Annulet issue-Annulet in two qtrs on reverse - inital mark cross patonce Calais mint
1580 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpence - - Latin cross 5th issue	Irish 1689 James II emergency issue 'gun metal' shilling

6th April 2110 Medieval hammered gold found - More Saxon

Yet more Saxon harness fittings found including a strap distributer and a decorated cheek piece posted below. I have posted a load more finds to March II finds page including Can Rod superb huge medallion below.

William IV, Prince of Orange-Nassau (1 September 1711 – 22 October 1751), born Willem Karel Hendrik Friso, was the first hereditary stadtholder of the Netherlands.

Obv PRINS VAN ORANGE & NASSAU 3rd May 1747

1361-69 Edward III hammered gold qtr noble - treaty period - quatrefoil in centre:cross over shield

1.94g, 19.10 mm

1585-6 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver shilling (12 pence)

Can Rob walked over a huge Elizabeth 1st shilling and was just cruising around the field really pleased and then minutes later popped a sweet Edward III gold qtr noble coin. It is undamaged by the plough so our goldsmith will be able to straighten it easily. Great find and Rob's first ever gold coin.

I have updated this years gold page with a staggering gold total now for the club at 44 pieces for the season.

First dated 18thC lead token I have seen dated 1754

4th April 2010 More great finds including Gold, Saxon and mint Roman silver

Cal Jim popped his first ever gold coin with a crisp George III gold half guinea which takes the club record even higher to 43 gold finds for the season.

I have updated this years gold page

Uploaded a load more finds to March II finds page including another 17thC Charles II silver button, reported to museum as treasure. That is our 4th Charles II silver button find in the last month and each one is a variation on theme of hearts, clasped hands and flowers.

1777 George III gold half guinea

Medieval casket key

The guys had a fantastic day out there with the clubs best ever day for medieval relics, Cal Jim also found two stonking medieval harness pendants and he has research the one with the Lion. The silver inlaid medieval annular brooch by Can Rod is a fantastic find.

'The background of this shield is red, and due to the gold around the edge, we are assuming the lion was also gold. So I believe this shield belongs to Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel.He was the son of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel and Eleanor of Lancaster and was born in 1346.He succeeded his father on 24 January 1376.His brother was Thomas Arundel who was Bishop of Ely from 1374 to 1388, then Archbishop of York from 1388 to 1397, then Archbishop of Canterbury.
At the coronation of Richard II, Richard FitzAlan carried the crown. I am really pleased to find this very exciting relic!

Cal-Jim '

 

Another Saxon terminal mount was found by Can Rob and again a different class, A, our 4th stirrup piece from the new site. The line picture below shows where they were fitted on a Saxon guys stirrup. Then Can Rod, our historian, armed with his huge folder of research goes into the woods where an old spring is shown on an old map. He is digging loads of shot gun shells, gets two £1 clad coins and then pops the most mint Roman silver I have ever seen dug. Apart from washing of the dirt I did not touch this coin. What a difference to not have to cook a Roman silver to see the detail. It has to be the finest coin I have seen dug in 7 years and was probably an offering. The guys pounded the area hoping this was a votive offering site but it appears to be the only one. Rod was one brave guy venturing into these woods with the amount of game shooting that goes on, massive find. Mark Leham has sent back the ID and for once this was an easy one for him with full crisp legend.

Best condition Roman silver I have ever seen dug- next to fresh water spring ! Probably an offering

Sent off for ID

16.3mm,3.39g

This is a denarius of Antoninus Pius, 138-161- there are many who consider his reign the height of the golden era of Imperial Rome.  There was so little strife, war, plague or disaster that the result is that there's very little written about him or his times other than "He was known as the fairest and wisest of rulers and blah..."  Of course from the British perspective, he's important for having built the second wall, north of Hadrian's.  From the dates which are parts of his titles in the legends, this coin dates to 153/4. The reverse shows Vesta, the special deity of the Roman hearth and home standing left holding a simpulum - a ceremonial ladle which was part of the set of priestly implements portrayals of the set of which were an emblem of the priestly colleges, and the Palladium, sort of a short, thick scepter with a figure of Pallas/Athena at its end.  Supposedly brought to Rome out of the ruin of Troy by Aeneas, it was considered a special symbol of the city's - and by extention, the empire's - devine protection.

 

Mark

 

Saxon stirrup alloy terminal - Class A type 1	Saxon stirrup strap mount - top fixing Type 2A Similar to a design found at Swafield Norfolk

2 - Late Saxon c10thC stirrup alloy terminals Class A Type 11a

Sub triangular mount depicts a Lion looking upwards with its front paw raised and tail curled between its legs and over the back

Stunning c14thC Heraldic shield pendant- red enamel and gilding remaining

1376 Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel

Stunning silver inlaid medieval annular brooch 24.86mm, 2.77g

2nd April 2010 More great finds uploaded - last hunt of the season

Last hunt of the season starts today and we officially finish next Sat. I have reported another two treasures to the museum including another quite different style 17thC Charles II wedding commemorative silver button issue with heart and flames.

I have updated the hoard and treasure page

Loads more great finds and small hammered silvers uploaded to the March II finds page. Mark Lehman has been very busy keeping up the Roman coin ID's and I have posted a load more on the March II page. I have put two more Roman silver coin finds straight into the 'cooker', one is tiny and probably 5thC clipped to appear like a Saxon sceat. It is the crustiest Roman silver we have ever dug

Under this crust is a Roman silver coin - straight into the 'cooker' to eat off the crud

16thC seal matrix with bird impression

Cracking find - 18th/19thC Lion headed sword hanger

1619-25 James 1st hammered silver shilling (XII pence) 3rd coinage

1471 Edward IV hammered silver groat

Obv EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

31st March 2010 More great finds- Gold No 42

Washington Tom popped out a real nice Medieval gold ring with LUV (love) inscribed which I have reported as treasure to the museum. Great find and takes our clubs gold total to 42 for the season. I also have two other treasures I have reported including a Charles II silver button. Bav Jeff found an astonishing condition 1205 William 1 The Lion penny, better than any example in my Scottish hammered coin ref book.

I have updated this years gold page and just uploaded a load of great silver coin finds to the latest finds page March II finds page. Mark Lehman has sent back a load of Roman bronze and silver coin ID's that I have just posted the the March finds II page. I asked Mark why the Roman silver have the green grunge on them and how it is best to clean them. Here is his reply.

Medieval gold ring - inscribed LUV - reported as treasure to museum

0.74g, 16.74mm

15thC Angel coin coin weight - bent right leg Circa 1493 - British

Another silver Roman with green 'grunge' growing on it - sent for ID

18.65mm, 2.57g

1205 William 1 The Lion - Scottish hammered silver penny

Obv WILAM

Rev HUE WALTER

Moneyer Walter of Perth, Edinburgh and Roxburgh mints

30th March 2010 Stunning 1stC bronze piggie - Celtic gold ID's back - 41st gold find of the season

Green crust on a Roman silvers ?

Idaho Orv has found what is one of the best relics of the season. Huge bronze razor backed hog with red enamelled eyes. It is tricky to date as it could be earlier than Roman, one for the museum to confirm, probably a votive offering. Ian at the BM has recorded and sent back the confirmed ID's and CCI numbers of the latest Celtic gold coin finds below. I have posted a load more Roman bronzes and silvers to March II finds page , I have sent them to Mark Lehman for his ID's and views. One 13 field area of a new site is really effecting the coins differently with an unusual green grunge. It is rock hard and very difficult to 'cook' off. The Roman silver coins above have a deep green tinge, something about the soil type must be causing this so I will ask Mark if his Spanish chemist advisor knows what causes this effect.

Stunningly beautiful - Romano/British bronze razor back pig/hog offering ? red enamelled eyes - 65.56mm L x 39.9mm H 148g

Chicago Ron and Min Mindy popped two more modern gold ring below, although both hallmarked I cannot find the right date for the signet ring as the closest date code is 1996 which clearly it is not. I will work on it some more today.

I have updated this years gold page which is a massive new record for the club of 41 pieces of gold so far.

1890 9 carat gold ring - Birmingham hall mark - Marker JM

3.36g, 18.95mm

29th March 2010 More great finds posted

Guys are still finding some amazing relics and hammered silver coins and I have posted a bunch more to the latest finds page March II finds page. Chicago Reid found a beautiful Pilgrim's ampullae and our first ever large denomination Charles II coin, huge milled half crown that I just posted to the March finds page.

I had a quick meeting with the museum this morning and dropped of all the gold treasures including the Saxon gold hoard that will now go through the Treasure process.

We are keeping Mark Lehman busy with all the Roman coin finds, the latest two ID's are posted below including an early 81BC Republican silver and a 198 AD silver forgery.

Pilgrim ampullae - holly water bottle made of lead 12th to 15thC, Scallop shell type with merchant shield on reverse

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.

1475 Dutch - Karel de Stoute - hammered silver DOUBLE STUIVER, (Charles the bold)

Early Roman silver coin partially 'cooked' send off to Mark Lehman for ID 16.50mm, 2.57g

Interesting Roman silver forgery sent for ID

2.36g, 17.33mm

28th March 2010 Double Celtic gold coin day - Mindy gives landowner back his family's gold ring - More uploads

I have uploaded a load of great hammered silver finds to March II finds page

I have updated this years gold page which is a massive new record of 39 pieces of gold so far.

The land owner was very excited by the mourning ring Min Mindy found on his fields and offered to pay her for it. His family have owned the same land for over 300 years and it belonged to one of his ancestors. Mindy realizing it's significance presented it to the landowner yesterday lunchtime and he was over the moon with her generosity. Ron took a vid of the presentation and I will upload it to the members forum. Great gesture Mindy.

Double gold Celtic gold day sees Ill John find his 2nd hammered gold of his trip and Bavaria Terry's first. The first one is not one I recognize but is similar to a QC type in the Hobbs reference books. I have sent them both off for recording and ID from Ian at the Celtic coin register.

50 BC Celtic qtr stater sent to CCI for recording and ID - possible Early uninscribed British QC

13.36mm, 1.34g

70BC Morini Celtic gold qtr stater - Sent to CCI for recording

1.44g,10.27mm

Saxon stirrup strap mount - top fixing Type 2A

Similar to a design found at Swafield Norfolk

Ohio Gene found our first top part of a Saxon stirrup strap mount yesterday and both the landowner and finder have agreed to donate it to the Colchester museum.

Interesting Roman silver forgery sent for ID

2.36g, 17.33mm

27th March 2010 Ron's videos upload - Honking gold mourning ring - Cooked Roman's - Another donation

Ill Mark and the landowner were out there chatting in the field yesterday and both have generously agreed to donate the 5thC Saxon silver strap end treasure to Colchester museum. The new landowner takes a very keen interesting in the history being discovered on his and and is out there with the guys getting involved.

7th century Saxon dragon headed silver strap end - reported as treasure to museum

35.89mm L, 2.61g

Min Mindy found a huge gold mourning and Mass Linda has done some great research on it below. Interesting that the order was for 'Sterling', even though this ring is 18 carat gold with full hall marks it was made 6 years later so this was a special one made later on.

18.74mm, 5.62g

Outer Band - In memory of

Inner inscription - Anna C Round Ob 5th Ap 1822

Maker TM -18 carat Sheffield hallmark 1829

I have updated this years gold page which is a massive new record of 37 pieces of gold so far.

Original Order for Mourning Ring's

Eight April 1822
The Executors of the late Miss Round, five coloured sterling xxxx? enamelled mourning rings large and small at x +/- each, xxxxxx? included 17 pounds 12 shillings 0 pence

Hard to read obviously, and I don't get the 'sterling' reference? I've never seen a silver mourning ring, I don't think. Anyway, if anyone can correct any of this feel free.

Several documents later, there is an order for Anna Rounds coffin, made the day after she died, April 6, 1822 :-(

Chicago Ron is out there with his team videoing their finds as they are dug. I have uploaded a couple that are great fun to watch. I have a ton more great ones to upload yet.

Ron's bags his oldest ever coin silver video

c

Saxon double gold hoard video

Saxon single gold find video

Another Crispy Roman silver - in the 'cooker' to remove crust

Mark Lehman has had a stab at the Roman silver ID below that has been 'cooking' for over a month, it is our oldest silver found so far on this site, circa 68 AD. I have put it straight back into the 'cooker' as there appears to be a lot more detail under the crust.

Roman 1st/2nd C silver coin as dug and 'cooking' to remove crust

26th March 2010 Cherub & ring treasures reported - Rare find donated - Mark's gold makes £2100

Ron's Saxon gold find vid

I have just posted the 2nd half of the seasons 2011 dates on the site as members are booking over a year ahead now. Remember if slots are already full you can use the Barn self catering or hotel options.

Another amazing medieval gold ring found by NS Andy that I have just reported to the museum as treasure. It is that twisted wire type and could even be Roman but it will now go off to the experts at the British museum for their evaluation.

I have updated this years gold page which is a massive new record of 36 pieces of gold so far. I have also updated the hoard and treasure page with the latest finds now with the museum.

I have uploaded a load more great finds and early hammered silver coins to the new hunt page March 2010 hunt page 2

Medieval twisted wire gold ring - no hall marks

22.34mm, 2.73g

Great result yesterday for the finder and landowner yesterday as Mark's Celtic gold coin find made £2100 at the Spink auction, 3 times the lower estimate.

Sale 1009 Lot 2

Celtic, early uninscribed coinage, (c.50-40 BC), AV Quarter-Stater, 1.12g, floral pattern on wreath, pellet in ring in centre, rev. horse running to right, curved ornament above, pellet in wheel ornament below (cf. BNJ 1998, coin register 14), extremely fine, very rare (approx.2-5 known)
Estimate £ 700-900

Found recently in Essex, CCI no. 09.3512

Ark Gary wishes to donate his rare Saxon saucer brooch find to Colchester museum, I spoke to the landowner this morning about the donation and he is in full agreement so it will end up there for all to enjoy.

5th-6th century AD Saxon gilded saucer brooch - running spiral design East Anglian type

Ill Mark found another 16thC cherub mount that I have reported as treasure. The other one found is Sept is currently going through the treasure process and has a confirmed date as Tudor. It is interesting to put the two along side each other as they are from different moulds.

16thC Tudor gold on silver cherub mount (left) - reported as treasure. Interesting to compare a similar example (right) we found in the first half of the season currently going through the treasure process.

Saxon lead gaming piece - black inlaid symbols - one for the museum experts

Cleaned up Ron's crisp medieval seal matrix, the impression appears to be two birds mating ?

Legend *CREDE MICHI II

24th March 2010 3rd Saxon coin day in a row - Stonking Elizabeth 1st gold - Celtic coin auction day

I have created a new 2010 March II finds page to speed up load times

Ill John made it our 3 Saxon coin day in a row with our first Saxon silver from a new site. This coin was found 1/4 mile from the Saxon gold hoard so there could be more coins in the adjoining fields. Bavaria Terry had his best ever day and found 5 hammered silver coins of all periods from short cross to Elizabeth. He also got 2 stunning James 1st gold coin weights above so there is probably a fair site in this area. There are also some great silver relics being found, I particularly like the hallmarked decorated silver clog fastener.

Saxon C600 - 775 AD Silver Sceattas Porcupine Type - sent to Fritzwilliam museum for confirmation and recording

Dr Martin Allen has send the ID back for the silver Saxon sceat reported yesterday

Many thanks for this Series E (variety G3), which I have recorded as eMC 2010.0133.

Martin

Ill Mark is really kicking butt this trip and this is his 3 gold find of the trip with this stonking Elizabeth 1st gold half crown stunning coin taking our record total of gold finds this season to 35, updated this years gold page

1560-61 Elizabeth 1st gold half crown - mintmark cross crosslet - 0.994 fine gold

1.40g, 18.63mm

Tomorrow is the Spink auction where Bil Mark and the landowner are slitting the proceeds of this rare Celtic gold find made in the first half of the season on his land. It will be fascinating to see what it fetches. Spink on line catalogue. I have a copy of the glossy catalogue and Mark's is on the first page and it looks really good.

Sale 1009 Lot 2

Celtic, early uninscribed coinage, (c.50-40 BC), AV Quarter-Stater, 1.12g, floral pattern on wreath, pellet in ring in centre, rev. horse running to right, curved ornament above, pellet in wheel ornament below (cf. BNJ 1998, coin register 14), extremely fine, very rare (approx.2-5 known)
Estimate £ 700-900

Found recently in Essex, CCI no. 09.3512

1901 London hall marked solid silver thimble - interesting to note the thimble is perforated to keep the finger cool ?

18thc solid silver decorated clog fastener - PB over AB markers mark

London and duty paid bust hall marks

Peter & Ann Bateman

PB/AB. 1791 - 1800

Bateman workshop at Bunhill Row London 1794

Huge Roman bronze animal head mount - possible bucket or vessel mount - looks like it is a bird with a hooked beak but it could also be an elephant

80.24g, 29.32mm L x 28.5mm dia

23rd March 2010 Saxon gold hoard found - Celtic gold ID'd - Shield matrix ID

Thanks to Ian who has confirmed my ID of the earlier Celtic gold find and issued the coin a CCI (Celtic coin Index) number. If you find a Celtic coin, gold, silver or bronze in Britain record it with Ian at Ian Leins [ILEINS@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk].

'Eastern uninscribed gold quarter stater of Dubnovellaunos, c 20 BC-AD 10. Van Arsdell VA1660 =BMC 2442.

CCI number: 10.0874'

Ian

CCI number: 10.0874'

1stC BC Celtic gold qtr stater - Eastern gold attributed to Dvbnovellaunos tribe

Sent to CCI for recording 1.34g,11.67mm

Hobbs 2442 Page 146 Colchester find

I have officially reported a potential Saxon hoard to Colchester museum as a 2nd gold coin was found by Ill John just 25 feet from the first one. I have recorded them both with Dr Martin Allen who runs the Early Medieval Corpus database at the Fitzmuseum , he has issued them with unique EMC numbers and sent me back the ID's below. Saxon gold are the rarest gold coins you can find in Britain so these are amazing discoveries. In seven years of detecting we have only found 3 so this now takes our total to 5. These two coins were not in my existing reference books as they are continental Saxon coins so I need to obtain two French publications, Martin supplied me the names of the two must have books below.

M. Prou, Catalogue des monnaies françaises de la Bibliothèque Nationale.
Les monnaies mérovingiennes (Paris, 1892).

A. de Belfort, Description générale des monnaies mérovingiennes, 5 vols (Paris, 1882-95).

Here is the ID of the first Saxon found

'Saxon' gold coins not in the reference books are usually Merovingian tremisses, and this coin (EMC 2010.0130) is no exception to this rule.
The coin seems to be unworn and from relatively undamaged dies, but the inscriptions are garbled. I have not found any similar coins in the reference books on Merovingian coins (which is not unusual), but if I receive any clarification from one of the continental experts on Merovingian coins I shall let you know.

Merovingian gold coins greatly outnumber Anglo-Saxon gold coins as finds in England.

With thanks,

Martin

Chicago Ron took a vid of John seconds after he dug it, it includes his gold dance which I will upload later

Merovingian tremissis of the 7th century

1.26g,15.08mm

This coin (EMC 2010.0131) is a Merovingian tremissis of Coutances (dep.
Manche), moneyer Piontus, from the same dies as Belfort 1681, Prou 299.
The obverse names the mint *CVSTANCIA [S reversed] and the reverse names the moneyer PIONtVS. Priou reads the moneyer's name as tVSPION but Belfort's reading PIONtVS is now accepted as the correct one.

Keep looking.

Martin

The history of Anglo-Saxon coinage spans more than five centuries, from the end of Roman rule in Britain in the fifth century, down to the death of Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066. It can be divided into four basic phases:

• c. 450–c. 550: a very low level of coin-use in Britain, characterised by re-use of Roman coinage, though often in a non-monetary context. A small number of coins continued to be brought in from Gaul and elsewhere on the Continent.
• c. 550–c. 680: the ‘gold’ phase of currency, which began with an increase in the rate of importation of continental gold, principally in the form of tremisses. From around 620 English gold coins of similar format were produced, often known to numismatists as thrymsas. By the middle of the seventh century the quantity of gold in these coins was falling quickly, such that by the 670s they were more or less completely silver.
• c. 680–c. 750 (867 in Northumbria): the age of the sceattas – small, thick silver coins which evolved out of the latest, debased gold coins. These should more correctly be referred to as pennies or denarii as in weight and fineness they approximated the form the English penny was to retain for centuries, and contemporary references suggest this is how they were known. Most sceattas do not bear an inscription and are thus difficult to attribute. It should be noted that in Northumbria, coins of this format continued to be struck under closer royal control until the 860s, though by the early ninth century they contained only a negligible quantity of precious metal.
• c. 750–14 October 1066: the silver coinage of sceattas petered out in southumbrian England in the middle of the eighth century, to be replaced by a broader, thinner model of silver coinage modelled on that of contemporary Carolingian coinage. These new coins carried legends naming the king, moneyer and (later) the mint of origin. With various modifications in weight (within the range 1.00g–1.70g) and fineness this format of coinage remained standard for the rest of the period, and indeed silver pennies of similar design remained the basis for the English currency until the fourteenth century. Pennies of this form were made by English kings from Offa onwards, and also by viking rulers from the later ninth century.

In the gold phase of the coinage, the currency consisted overwhelmingly of gold tremisses or thrymsas of c. 1.10–1.30g, though a few solidi exist, modelled on Roman coins. Thereafter the currency was more or less based on a single denomination: the silver penny. In the early 870s the first round halfpennies were produced under Alfred the Great and Ceolwulf II of Mercia; these were produced sporadically and in small quantity until Edgar’s reform of the 970s, after which it became common to cut whole pennies into halves and quarters, often at the time of production. The only known examples of larger silver denominations are two ‘offering pieces’ produced in the reign of Alfred the Great weighing the equivalent of six regular pennies, which were made as alms-pieces, probably to be sent abroad.

Although gold ceased to be the predominant form of currency in the seventh century, from the late eighth century onwards there was some use of fine gold coinage for special, high-value transactions. These gold pieces were often known as mancuses. The form of gold coinage varied in the eighth and ninth centuries, drawing inspiration from Roman, Byzantine, Arabic and Carolingian gold coinages, but by the tenth century gold coins were made simply by striking a gold piece with the same dies as were used for regular minting of silver. Only eight English gold coins with intelligible legends survive from between the eighth century and 1066; there are also some coins that may or may not be of English origin which bear no legend, and specimens of contemporary foreign gold found in England.

It is difficult to ascertain the nature and extent of coin-use in Anglo-Saxon England. Written references to minting and money are scarce, and it is likely that even a single silver penny had considerable buying power – perhaps something in the region of £10–£30 in modern currency. Their use may also have been concentrated in certain classes of society, and was probably most associated with particular transactions such as the payment of rents, tributes and legal fees. However, analysis of surviving single-finds (principally made since the 1970s by users of metal-detectors) shows that coins were used extensively, especially in the eastern half of England, both within and outside towns; they also circulated widely, and are frequently found far from their mint of origin. Substantial numbers of English coins have been found elsewhere in Europe, especially in Italy and Scandinavia.

Cal Jim is our official heraldic shield guy and has even in the past reunited a modern day family with their medieval Heraldic shield found by Van Brent. He has made a stab at ID'ing the stunning shield matrix below. I still have this find soaking in distilled water to remove the crud from the impression and it is getting almost good enough to get a good clay impression. NS Andy also found a crusty medieval quatrefoil pendant that I have been soaking for 2 days and slowly 4 enameled fleur de Lis are showing through, could be stunning if the centre enameling is still there.

It is critical to use distilled water to clean bronze finds as it does not effect the colour or patina.

Ok, here is my best guess.

I believe the seal to be a second son or brother of Richard de Pevensey.

Clearly there is a Chevron, which looks fretty to me, between 3 crosses, which looks, especially if you look at the bottom one closely, to be moline. (another source lists his crosses as recercelee or patonce or flory). The crosses seem to work.

Here is a link to the seal of Tho. Berkeley, which shows a Chevron which is not fretty.
http://www.earlyblazon.com/briantimm...rkeleythom.htm

The problem is that this shield has "overall a bend (or bendlet) (color?). ( To accurately describe this shield for a novice like myself, I would need to know colors everything were.) The BEND, or that diagonal line confused me for a second at first until I realized that since it is an impression, the bend does go in the proper direction when stamped. The bend is NOT on Richard de Pevensey's shield, but I could attribute that to just a one step add on for a close relative (brother or second son).


Richard de Pevensey (aka Pevense, Peves, Pevenkskey) was the Sheriff of Sussex from at least 1285-1287. (one source said he was the 13th and 15th sheriff of Sussex, and another said he was 14th and 15th Sheriff of Sussex. Richard was also the Steward to Queen Eleanor (while she was imprisoned??)., and it looks as though he held other important positions. Some of the things I read spoke about miscarriages of justice he may have committed.

He was born around 1229 and was skulking around until at least 1305, although I suspect he was around a bit longer. He was the third husband to Isabel Montachute (Montague), married in 1278 and she died in 1285. I can't find any information about them having any children together, or any information about any past or future marriages he may have had, which makes my "Second Son" theory for him pretty weak. He could easily have had children when he was younger though.

Anyway, that is my best GUESS. The others I saw that were close were not as close as this Richard.

Herald's Roll part 6

"254 Richard de Pevenese
Azure a chevron or fretty gules between three crosses moline argent "

Dering Roll part 3

"111 Ricard de Pevenese
Azure a chevron or fretty gules between three crosses moline argent
Richard de Pevensey, who also appears in The Heralds' Roll, HE254"

Cal Jim

22nd March 2010 Find of the year? Saxon gold found - Another piece of gold

Amazing day, the landowner was out there chatting to the guys and they were showing him all their finds, a nice 68BC Roman silver, nice Elizabeth 1st shilling, some Roman bronzes then Ill Wendle who has been coming here for years walks up to us shaking and very excited. He takes out his small pill pot and drops this little puppy in my hand, the rarest gold coins you can find in Britain, Saxon gold. What a stunning find. I checked my ref books including Spinks and there is nothing in there like it. This is our 4th Saxon gold coin find and I have a feeling it is a 6th/8thC, Early Continental (Merovingian Francia), French Saxon gold. I have sent it off to Dr Martin Allen who is the Saxon expert and runs the Fitzmuseum Early Medieval Corpus National database where we record all our Saxon coins. He will be able to give us the definitive ID and record it with a unique EMC number. There were also some other excellent finds including our first ever heraldic medieval seal matrix with extra decoration on the 'bell' rim. Ill Mark found another piece of gold, neat Georgian brooch taking our record total of gold finds this season to 33, updated the gold page

Updated my favourites for the find of the year award page

I posted a load more great hammered silver and finds to the March 2010 hunt page.

c 600/800 AD Saxon gold coin send to Fizwilliam museum for ID and recording

Not shown in any book I have ???

1.35g, 13.87mm

Fantastic circa 13thC Medieval seal matrix with heraldic shield impression - this seal is first I have seen with additional decoration on the 'bell' top

It will be interesting if we can find the family crest and who it belonged to

Georgian gold brooch - no hall marks but note the number 2 inscribed where the stone would have been

20th March 2010 BC Republican silver and 11,000 BC axe - No hoard declared

Stunning unrecorded 5th Dragoon guards button

Crimean war period

I had a meeting with Colchester museum yesterday to hand in all the Roman 'hoard coins' and treasures found so far in the 2nd half of the season. These will now go forward to the experts at the British museum for further evaluation .The potential hoard is now officially being classed as a 'scatter' and a village designation. Therefore the coins are no longer being classed as a hoard under the definition in the 'Treasure Act' which will mean the guys will eventually get their coins returned. The museum were given a map of the site and the locations of all the finds as this is an important discovery.

I picked up the last of our recorded finds from the 1st half of the season that are now on the PAS database plus a couple of disclaimed treasure. I will post details later.

The guys are making remarkable finds still and I have uploaded a bunch more to the March 2010 hunt page. I need to start a new March II page to improve loading times as the page it is getting too large.

I was hoping the latest Roman republican silver find by Chicago Ron was going to beat our club record at 136BC but Mark Lehman's ID makes it modern at 76BC !!, great find and Ron's oldest coin find to date. I still have 3 other Roman silver coins 'cooking' to remove their crust, 2 of them have been cooking for a month now and progress is very slow as they have the hardest 'horn silver' growth I have ever come across.

Ark Gary's 11,000 BC flint hand axe

As dug uncleaned Roman 76BC BC Republican silver coin sent off for ID

Minimal 'cooking' to bring out detail

2.46g, 16.61mm

As dug

Roman silver coin - cooking to remove unusual thick green crud

Roman 1st/2nd C silver coin as dug and 'cooking' to remove crust- You can see how thick this crust is on the lastest pictures of his bust

Well worn Roman BC period Republican silver coin - hopefully there is some detail under the crust after it is 'cooked'

Roman bronze bucket handle mount

18th March 2010 More neat finds

Loads more approved export licenses arrived this morning, list of names posted on the members forum. The guys are digging some really crisp hammered silver coins and Roman bronzes with great detail not photo'd yet. Still got loads of other great finds to post yet including Chicago Ron's BC Republican Roman silver coin find and another unbroken Roman fibular brooch. I will try and get more posted tomorrow but I have loads of paperwork to get out the way first and gather all the treasure finds together for drop off to the museum meeting.

I have posted more finds to the March 2010 hunt page.

Solid silver dragon brooch - 1948 London hall mark

1427-30 Henry VI hammered silver groat - Rosette Mascle issue - Initial mark Cross Potonce - Cross 3a

Rev VILLA CALISIE - Calais Mint

1435- 1438 Henry VI hammered silver penny - Cross 5 - Leaf Tefoil issue

Rev VILLA CALISIE - Calais Mint

1341 Edward III hammered silver florin penny -Cross 3

Obv EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

Roman protected loop terret -(reigns guide)

16th March 2010 Yet more great finds including Celtic bird

Cleaned up the medieval seal matrix from a couple of days ago and took a clay impression, looks like an owl and the lettering is now easy to read.

Seal impression

Legend *HELE . CVR . SEVLOVLE

The guys are finding some great hammered silver groats including a rare Richard II example . Ill Joe found an amazing 1stC BC Celtic raven bird artifact used in sacrificial or religious ceremonies posted below. He also found a real nice Roman animal headed strap end. I have posted more finds to the March 2010 hunt page.

Another real crusty Roman silver was found by Ill Mark and was put straight into the 'cooking' pot to remove the crud. I am still 'cooking' two Roman silver coins from 3 weeks ago and the crust is as hard as concrete.

Rare 1377- 1399 Richard II hammered silver groat - London - New bust wide hair Type 3 - curved serifs

Roman animal bronze decorated strap end - 2 rivet fixing

Fantastic find 1stC BC Celtic bucket mount - The bird probably a raven would be one of a series used as decoration around the top of the bucket. The bucket was used in sacrificial or religious ceremonies

In Celtic mythology birds were represented as the messengers of the gods

34.02mm L, 5.28g

Excellent button find - 19thC GR 'Royal Waggon Train'

The Royal Waggon Train (1802-1833)

Within a month of being created, part of the Corps arrived in Holland but because of the Treasury involvement, the vehicle establishment of 100 bread waggons, 100 forage carts, 20 hospital waggons and 10 forge carts had not been constructed and even by the time this campaign ended, still nothing had been done.

However, some good came out of this campaign in that it was generally acknowledged that an organised transport service was essential and that disciplined people accustomed to horses must be recruited.

A pause in hostilities brought about by the Peace Treaty of Amiens in 1802 gave a short breathing space to the contending powers.  By May the following year, Britain and France were again at war with France amassing an invasion army.

Following Nelson's victory at Trafalgar, the French marched away from the Channel to fight their continental enemies.  In 1807 they invaded the Iberian Peninsular determined to close all European ports to Britain.  In 1808 Sir Arthur Wellesley sailed to seize the naval base at Lisbon.  He took with him two troops of Irish Commissariat Waggon Corps.  By October these two troops had been incorporated into the Royal Waggon Train, bringing the strength to twelve troops - a total strength of 2000 all ranks.

Echelon duties in support of the Commissariat continued but now, where transport columns had to be protected, the Royal Waggon Train was increasingly involved in providing close support to the combat arms.  It became normal practice to split the organisation into small detachments in direct support of infantry or cavalry.

The landing in Portugal was to the north of Lisbon on the beaches at Mondego Bay.  It took a while but it did give Wellesley the time to organise his logistic support in a way which was to become familiar during his campaigns.  He was a master at solving logistical problems having learned his lesson whilst fighting in India.  His task was to ensure "the final and absolute evacuation of the Peninsula by troops of France".  Whitehall, however, maintained its ignorance of the logistics involved in a military campaign fought by an army over difficult terrain.

Within a month of landing in Portugal, Wellesley gave the French a foretaste of the capabilities of the British Army by defeating them at Rolica and Vimeiro.

The command of the British Army in the Peninsula during the winter campaign 1808-09 now passed to Sir John Moore, Wellesley having temporarily fallen out of favour for his involvement in the Treaty of Cintra which allowed the defeated French to sail home in British ships.  In October 1808 a British force under the command of General Sir David Baird landed at Corunna followed a weeks later by three troops of the Royal Waggon Train.  It was Moore's intention to hit the French lines of communication but he was forced to retire when he came up against Napoleon's army - a ratio of more than 6 to 1.

His retreat was no easy matter as waggons provided from local resources broke down and the hired drivers deserted with their teams.  Other waggons were too wide or inappropriate for the narrow roads.  Additional horses had to be harnessed to pull these waggons thus reducing the overall number of supply waggons.  The sprung waggons were used as ambulances with two men lying or eight men sitting.  Morale and discipline of the troops began to suffer and storage depots set up by Baird were ransacked by Moore's retreating troops.  This retreat ended with the Battle of Corunna in 1809 where Moore was mortally wounded.  

The Royal Waggon Train ended up being employed on mundane transport tasks and in 1815 was reduced to five troops and three years later to two before being disbanded in 1833.

15th March 2010 Another monster Saxon and Roman day

3 beauty Roman fibular brooches

1stC Colchester type two piece - 1stC Rosette brooch

What a staggering days detecting out there. Ark Gary popped a monster find, our first ever 5thC Saxon saucer brooch, near it was our 4th Roman fibular brooch of the day and then Cal Dan finds one of the best Roman silver coins I have ever seen dug. I thought it's condition suggested it might have been protected in a pot but Mark Lehman's ID below of the coin suggests it is avery high grade of Roman silver. Then Chicago Ron on the other end of the site digs a late Roman silver is great condition and then to cap it all Ill Mark pulls out the amazing enameled gold piece. I spoke briefly to the museum this morning and the suggestion is that could be medieval.

On top of all these finds the guys pulled out some excellent hammered silver coins that I will be posting to the latest finds page March 2010 hunt page.

I have also updated this season gold page and we now have a record 31 pieces so far.

Ancient gold ring bezel ? -cloisonné enamel-work - reported to museum as treasure

1.25g, 9.84mm dia

5th-6th century AD Saxon gilded saucer brooch - running spiral design East Anglian type

Best condition 2nd C Roman silver coin I have seen dug - sent for ID

2.89g, 18.95mm

4thC House of Constantine Roman silver coin sent for ID

0.94g, 13.11mm

13th March 2010 Staggering finds being made

The guys are making the most unbelievable finds including including another dozen Roman hoard coins and crisp hammered silver coins. Bill Mark found our first ever Celtic gold qtr Dvbnovellaunos tribe. We have only full full staters of this 'Colchester tribe' before. I found a match in the Hobbs ref book and have sent it of to John Stills for recording on the CCI database and for his views on the die type. Ill Mark found the monster early Saxon 'dragon headed' silver strap end which has been reported to Colchester museum as treasure. This is only our 2nd ever silver Saxon period strap end, the previous example was silver sheet on bronze and disclaimed by the British museum as not being 10% silver by weight. This latest example appears to be solid silver. Other great finds include Can James who found 2 Saxon animal stirrup mounts 50 feet apart so they could be from the same rider. Then Ill John finds an ancient gold ingot that could be part of a Celtic ankle/wrist torc, one for the museum to play with as it has also been reported as treasure.

I have posted a load more great finds to the March 2010 hunt page including a decorated Celtic cosmetic wode grinder.

Medieval seal matrix

7th century Saxon dragon headed silver strap end - reported as treasure to museum

35.89mm L, 2.61g

1stC BC Celtic gold qtr stater - Eastern gold attributed to Dvbnovellaunos tribe

Sent to CCI for recording 1.34g,11.67mm

Hobbs 2442 Page 146 Colchester find

2 - Late Saxon c10thC stirrup strap mount Class A Type 11a

Sub triangular mount depicts a Lion looking upwards with its front paw raised and tail curled between its legs and over the back

Ancient gold ingot - possible wrist or ankle torc fragment 3.48g, 3.45mm dia , 29.86mm L- reported as treasure to museum

10th March 2010 More stonking finds.

Mitch Chris is on fire this trip with that stunning Roman gold ring find and now really nice condition Roman silver coin that Mark Lehman has sent his views on below. Nice to find a coin without a thick 'horn' crust to cook off. We are slowly getting around the new 66 field site and it has all the periods, Chris pulled up a mint seal matrix and the first lead Pilgrim's ampulla from this site below.

More great finds and hammered silver posted to the March 2010 hunt page

Great condition Roman silver coin - minimal cleaning 2.80g, 17.48mm

Roman silver coin send for ID	Medieval seal matrix
Medieval lead pilgrims ampulla - Salisbury type	Medieval beehive thimble

Good call by Mass Linda on a Roman tendril pendant she found last week in the Laycock book Fig A14.7

Mass Steve's 18 Roman hoard coins sent for ID

9th March 2010 More hoards coins and Roman pottery - Extending the season to end of April

The gold inscribed ring find from a couple of days ago is confirmed as Roman, the script on the inside of the ring is Roman writing, great find.

The new 66 field site is producing just amazing finds and it has just about every type of crop out there. There is freshly ploughed and rolled, wheat, leaf vegetables, stubble, pasture so there will be tons of detectable land well past our normal season finishing time on the first week in April. If there is sufficient interest them I will extend this season to the end of April. Remember we can only search this land out of animal hunting season from Feb 1st to April each season. Drop me a mail if you want to join a new team for the last 3 weeks of April.

I have been chatting to the Head guy at the British Museum that makes the decision as to whether all the recent potential Roman hoard coins will be officially declared a hoard. I have forwarded him all the other Roman artifact pictures, fibular, brooches, bracelets etc and a selection of the Roman pottery below to aid his decision whether this will be declared a hoard, votive offering site or village. I have one more bag of hoard coins to process yet and have posted Mass Linda's 19 coin finds below with some of the ID's from Mark Lehman. Special thanks to Mark for his brilliant expertise at ID'ing the finds which give us a date spread of 180 to 360 AD so far. Mass Linda also found a particularly nice Roman decorated spindle whorl looking find, first for us. I have posted a load more widgets and silver to the latest finds page March 2010 hunt page

Roman bronze decorated spindle whorl

Tenn Brad sent me a picture of a 14thC John the Baptist medallion found in the river Thames and it matches exactly the pendant found by Bil Mark on the Roman hoard field, great find.

6 inch long chunks of Roman pottery, they include rims, bowls and tiles

Working my way through the hoard coins and sending them off to Colchester museum. I have also photo 'd some of the huge chunks of Roman pottery found, Mass linda picked up a huge bag of them that will also go off to the museum for their views.

Mass Linda's Roman hoard coins

Coin 20 (Mid 3rdC)-------------------------------------------------------- Coin 21 (350-353AD)

Coin 22 (330-337 AD)

Roman coins sent off for ID

Roman coins sent off for ID

7th March 2010 Monster gold find - More hoard coins and hammered silver

Stunning 1st C decorated fibular brooch

The new team in yesterday have started really well 7 hammered silver coins and another mint fibular brooch on a new field, the only Roman coin found was beat to death.

Mitch Chris made another monster find with what I initially thought was a Roman gold ring but the legend has me baffled. The double legend on the inside of the ring is perfectly legible but makes no obvious sense, I do not recognise the type of script and is it is definitely not of medieval Lombardic script type. No idea if the Saxons made rings like this so it definatly one for the museum. I have just reported it as treasure and I will find out what the local FLO's views are hopefully on Monday.

Started a new finds page to speed up load times March 2010 hunt page, uploaded more great hammered silver and more Roman widgets

Updated this seasons gold find page

Updated the hoard and treasure page

Stunning Black and white enameled gold ring - double banded with inscription on both upper and lower bands.5.83g, 25.91mm L x 8.40mm W

Top legend -LEI TRVTEE ADVANCE

Bottom legend - ECHE . FORTVNES CHAVNG

I am slowly going through last weeks Roman hoard finds and sending them off to Mark Lehman for his views. The Batch below were the ones Boston Beau found and Mark has ID's the examples with any detail showing. Beau said the Maximian bronze he found with great detail was in black clay type soil which appears to have protected it better than the other 'grots'. Date spread so far is from 138 to 360 AD. I have a couple more guys 'hoard coins' to process yet to see what the actual date spread is.

Boston Beau's Roman hoard coins

Roman bronze sent for ID 3.48g, 25.88mm

6th March 2010 Another 40 + Roman hoard coins found and a Roman gold ring

I think the guys have discovered a large Roman village on this new 66 field site as it produced another 40 + Roman bronze coins and the first Roman silver coin from this hoard. The bronze coins have a good date spread, several are 1st/2ndC examples that at our Roman expert has ID'd already . It will take me quite a while to work through the finds as the area also produced a wealth of other periods I have yet to photo. There are multiple finders of this hoard so I have to prepare the report by finder to supply this information to the museum. Mass Steve found an exciting Roman gold ring from a different area on the site and this has been reported to the museum as treasure.

Just posted a load more Roman finds and hammered silver to the latest hunt page Feb 2010 finds

Mass Gary's hoard coins

1stC Roman bronzes with detail sent off for ID

Sestertius of Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius, (177-192) ---------------- As or Dupondius of Faustina II, wife of Marcus Aurelius,

Roman silver coin sent off for ID Antoninus Pius (138-161)

Boston Beau's Roman hoard coins

Roman bronze sent for ID 3.48g, 25.88mm

Romano/British Ancient gold ring - reported as treasure to the museum

1.53g, 26.17g

5th March 2010 Potential Roman hoard found - More great finds posted

I have posted more finds to the latest hunt page Feb 2010 finds.

Late in the evening the guys came across an area of a new field and found around 15 Roman bronze coins plus a bunch of Roman bronze pieces including a mint complete 1stC fibular brooch. The Roman 'Weisenau type' helmet handle was another great find from the same. Over 10 bronzes in an area constitutes a potential hoard so I have reported them to Colchester museum and the landowner. I sent them off to Mark Lehman for his views and ID's which are posted below. The date spread of the coins is 315 to 360 AD so it will be up to the British museum experts to determine is this a hoard or a village location and scattered casual loss over time. The guys only searched this huge field briefly will be returning to that area at a later date to see if there are more out there. Hopefully there are some silver examples or even gold coins lurking.

4thC Roman bronze coins

13.14g, 50.51mm

1stC AD Weisenau type helmet - they have the distinctive carrying handle on the neck guard

Roman helmet handle 14.08g, 87.42mm L

Ref Laycock Page 35 Fig AA.4.7

Roman 'face' mount	Roman lead token

I managed to get some detail on the Obv of the Roman coin found a couple of days ago, Mark Lehman's updated ID is below

Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD)

3rd March 2010 More treasures - top 10 finds

Great article link below 'Here we round up 10 of the top artifacts discovered by metal detector in Britain'.

Top 10 Metal Detector Discoveries

Great story

Man discovers treasures in wife's handbag

Stunning 16th/17thC decorated silver bodkin needle - reported as treasure to Colchester museum

2.79g, 70.64mm L

Medieval seal matrix

Anonymous: letter I early 15thC. An initial with crown above, branches at the side, was a design that became increasingly common in the 15thC and was often used on a signet ring as below. The letter suggests it stood for the owners forename. This example was used in 1424 by Edward Saddler, clerk

The guys are making more excellent finds and Mass Steve found a stunning decorated silver Bodkin needle treasure. Every field on the new 66 field site has produced Roman bronze coins so far but 99% are just 'grots' and eaten to death and illegible. However Steve found two with great detail that I am using the 'distilled water' method to soak and clean. Our Roman coin expert mark Lehman put me on to this method as distilled water does not effect the patina of the bronze in any way. They are still soaking to remove the remaining crud and I sent them off to Mark who gave his initial ID below.

.

As dug and soaking to remove crud

Great to find new 17thC trade farthings to add to our set. I have updated the hammered copper finds page

I have posted more finds to the latest hunt page Feb 2010 finds.

Updated the hoard and treasure page with our latest treasures

17thC William Moore , bays maker of Colchester Essex hammered copper trade farthing Norweb Fig 1202 Part II	17thC Joseph Wolford, Mercers of Toppesfield Essex hammered copper trade farthing Norweb Fig 1407 Part II
17thC , Elias Mootier of Colchester Essex hammered copper trade farthing Norweb Fig 1208 Part II

'There was also a dire shortage of coins of small denominations, such as a housewife needed for everyday shopping, a problem that had been increasing since James I’s day. The few copper farthings produced were all under license to various nobles, and the supply of them was not sufficient to fill the demand. Shopkeepers evolved a pragmatic solution: trade tokens. In the 1660’s there were 3,543 ‘tokeners’ in the City of London, its suburbs and Westminster.

These tokens were usually made of lead, tin or copper, although some were of leather. They were usually worth a halfpenny or farthing (only the coffee-houses found it worthwhile to issue 1 penny tokens). They were small and came in a variety of shapes – round, heart-shaped, diamond, square or hexagonal. Shopkeepers kept boxes with compartments for each issuer (usually only for those tokeners in the same area, not all 3,543!) When they had enough they returned them to the issuer, who changed them for silver or notes of hand. In March 1668, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Norfolk suggested to the King that they should make ‘current farthings’ to prevent ‘the loss and inconvenience by private tokens in case of removals etc., as appeared in the late Fire of London.’ However, it was not until 1672 the mint started issuing the first copper farthings. The following references may be of help if readers wish to pursue the interest further:'

2nd March 2010 Beau's double gold day and excellent relics - New Barn 4

More details on the New Barn IIII

Min Mindy has found another brand new 4 star self catering converted 'Barn IIII' locally for the club to use and she has been e-mailing the owner. I went and saw it yesterday and it is a huge place sleeping up to 11 guys and in immaculate condition with beautiful wood floors and all the mod con's including on suite bathrooms. It has 8 proper beds and additional sofa beds in a second galleried lounge. These converted barns are really smart as they keep the character with old beams and wood floors. Mindy is running 2 Barn events in the fall of 2010 and has now transferred her 2nd trip to this new Barn so she will be the first to trial it for the club. That now gives the members a choice of 4 'Barns' to choose from with varying locations, sizes and amenities.

Boston Beau finds double gold

16th/17thC gold ring - no hall marks 1.75g, 18.51mm dia - reported to Colchester museum as treasure

Ancient gold ingot - 0.76g, 10.76mm long

Thick chunk of ancient gold - reported to Colchester museum as treasure

The guys trialing New Barn II love the accommodation and the fact it is 3 minutes away from the new 66 field site. They have been getting on the new site by 7am and hunting well into late evening with their night lights. They have been finding the whole raft of periods again including Saxon and Boston Beau did the double gold finds from the same area. The chunk of ancient gold is interesting as the rest of what it broke off might still be out there.

Updated the gold finds so far this season page.

Very interesting gilded Roman bronze piece - one for the museum

I have started to post the finds to the latest hunt page Feb 2010 finds. This gilded Roman piece above is very interesting and ornate, no idea what it is off so one for the museum to look at.

I picked up the last batch of fixed hammered coins from the gold smith yesterday and will be posting results later.

28th Feb 2010 More fixed hams - Hunts commence again - New Barn III

I went and saw another new Barn type accommodation locally that guys can use as a self catering base. It is under a mile from our main sites and offers excellent accommodation inside and each bedroom has an on suite. It sleeps 6 max so is great for small teams with their own vehicle to roam as they please. Remember on these tours you can hunt any of the 300 fields you choose and be out there for as many hours as your arm holds up.

3 bed roomed Barn III added to our accommodation choices

The 'New Barn II ' team arrived yesterday to be the 2nd group of guys to search the new 66 field site with a totally fresh approach. Mass Linda is armed with her extensive research and old maps and there are an amazing number of historical plots from the records she sent me. She has plotted all the Roman dykes, enclosures, ring ditches, roads, villages etc on the site so it will fascinating to see what fields they pick to search and manage to uncover this week. Both Mass Linda and Can Rod our club historian come here armed with a huge history folders to determine where they search, other teams just wander aimlessly as the mood take them. With a site this massive it needs constant nibbling by different teams with different styles to try and hot spot it. This team have their own hire car and can just roam the fields as they fancy. They can spend all week on just one field or try and get around all of them. Remember if you are staying at the Barn you can also have full access to any of our other 250 fields. It could be a very interesting week as they could end up with just a musket ball and a handful of coppers or find the Viking/Saxon battlefield that happened in this area.

More finds posted to the latest finds page Feb 2010 finds.

More of our fixed coins below and I am picking up another repaired batch today. The goldsmith rang me and two of the really bent crispy hammered silver broke during the annealing phase and he has silver soldered them back together. The last short cross he repaired with the method looked excellent so it will be interesting to see the results.

1341 Edward III hammered silver florin penny Obv +EDWR ANGL DNS HYB Obv EDW Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR - Canterbury mint

Fixed 1649 Commonwealth silver penny

23rd Feb 2010 More museum recordings - more fixed coins

Updated the Charles and James hammered silver pages with this seasons finds so far. Updated the Anne milled silver page. I have have a bunch more finds to upload to the latest finds page yet Feb 2010 finds.

	James 1st hammered silver coinage		Charles 1st hammered silver coinage
	Queen Anne

Fixed 1603 James 1st hammered silver sixpence - as dug, annealed, cleaned

Fixed 1573 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpence - as dug, annealed, cleaned

Posted a few more of our museum recording and ID's below. Interesting that the arrow shaped relic is ID'd as a Roman buckle plate. I am still cooking the Roman silver coin finds from last week and the 'horn silver' crust is rock hard but is dissolving very slowly. On the obverse picture you can clearly see the thickness of the crust.

Roman 1st/2nd C silver coin as dug and 'cooking' to remove crust

ESSEX, England: ESS-329A40, Roman copper alloy buckle plate

Object Type:

plate BUCKLE

A cast copper alloy Roman buckle plate. A sub-triangular flat object with a decorative notch on each side at the wider end. This plate has broken off its integral buckle frame. There are no visible rivet holes to attach it to a belt strap. There is rust on both faces at the wider end which probably derives from a pin. The rust probably hides the hole for the pin. Length 34.35mm, width 29.72mm, thickness 2.45mm, weight 9.2g. No exact parallels can be found in the usual sources. The patina is mid green and much of the surface has eroded away or is pitted. One corner is missing. One edge is uneven and all edges are covered in light green corrosion product.

Dates

ROMAN (Certain), Circa 43 AD - 410 AD

ESSEX, England: ESS-324C56, Medieval or Post-Medieval copper alloy IHS mount

Object Type:

MOUNT

A cast copper alloy Medieval or Post-Medieval mount. The mount is basically square but tapers towards to the top to form a triangle with a projecting knop. In profile the knop is slightly bent back. The face of the mount is inscribed with the letters ‘IHS’ within an incised border which flanks the outside edge of the mount. The underside of the mount has three integral rivets in each corner (the fourth being missing) and its edges are upturned. The mount's patina is mid green and there is a trace of blue above the letter H. Most of the object is covered by light green corrosion product and on the reverse the patina is completely covered either by dirt or corrosion product. The mount measures 32.4mm in length, 23.18mm in width and is between 2.13mm and 3.4mm thick (including the upturned edges). It weighs 7.1g. IHS are the first three letters of Jesus. A comparable mount is illustrated in Read, B. Metal Artefacts of Antiquity, Fig 8, no. 88. This is dated to the 15th century and has a different style of lettering and separate rivets. Length 32.31mm, width 23.52mm, max thickness 2.7mm, weight 7.1g.

Dates

EARLY MEDIEVAL (Probably) to EARLY POST MEDIEVAL (Certain), Circa 1300 AD - 1600 AD

ESSEX, England: ESS-31EFF6, copper alloy Medieval / early Post-Medieval mount

Object Type:

MOUNT

An incomplete cast copper alloy Medieval / early Post-Medieval mount in the shape of a letter ‘E’. The object is flat on both faces and has a D-shaped section. It has no means of attachment. One part of the bar of the E is missing. Length 36.57mm, width 29.35mm, thickness 3.61mm and weight 11.6g. The object has a mid to dark green patina which survives better on one side than the other. Both sides are pitted and there is light green corrosion product within the pits. The object is thought to be 14th century to circa 1540. It probably was mounted onto a wall, perhaps of a religious building, and was ripped off during the Reformation.

Dates

EARLY MEDIEVAL (Probably) to EARLY POST MEDIEVAL (Certain), Circa 1300 AD - 1540 AD

22nd Feb 2010 New Celtic tribe for us - more finds and ID's

Archived July 09 to Oct 09 Latest News to a new page to improve loading times of this page July 2009 to Oct 2009

Lead trade weights- Roman to medieval

I still have a bunch of finds from last week to post yet and this group of large lead weights were all from the same area. The triangular shaped trade weight is the first medieval chevroned type we have found. It weights 1/2 pound (8 oz) and is 57.4 mm high . We have found a couple of the small medieval shield type coin weights before but not a full sized trade weight version. The other trade weights in this group are Roman and medieval so the guys have found the site of a market. There were also several of the 'steelyard' hanging type weights found in the same area. Well worth a return visit to that area.

More find posted to the latest finds page Feb 2010 finds.

Celtic gold qtr stater 13.56,1.29mm CCI record 10.2000

'Heybridge Horse' type

It is not surprising that I could not find NH Dave's Celtic gold coin find in my reference books as it is not in there. John Stills from the CCI has just recorded the coin on the National database for us and his ID makes it is a new type for us and a rare one. I did not know there is a 'Heybridge Horse' type. Excellent find from new land.

That is our 77th Celtic gold coin find since we started and they can be viewed on our searchable database at Foundintheground.com.

http://foundintheground.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=celtic+gold

'Your latest quarter is the 'Heybridge Horse' type, not in VA or any of the other catalogues as you say. There are eight others known of the standard type with a pellet below the horse plus a unique variety with a spiral below. All the known finds are from Essex so it's almost certainly a Trinovantian issue that probably circulated alongside late Whaddon Chase staters of VA 1498-1502 type to judge from the very similar horse; datewise probably struck somewhere in the 40s BC.

I've been using up the last of the 09 Index numbers so you can have the first of my 2010 numbers for this one, 10.2000.

All the best

John '

Here are a couple more from the last batch of our recorded finds now on the PAS National finds database.

ESSEX, England: ESS-2FEDC3, Post-Medieval copper alloy ?book clasp

Object Type:

Book clasp? MOUNT

A Post-Medieval cast copper alloy incomplete shield-shaped decorative mount, possibly a plate from a book clasp. The upper surface has a punched design of 6 fleur de lis in two rows. The means of attachment (to a leather strap?) was by three rivets – two at the top and one at the bottom – which are corroded and may or may not be integral. On the upper surface these rivets are at the centre of three punched circles. The reverse is plain apart from the three rivets. There are two hinges at the top which does give the object more the look of a buckle plate rather than a book clasp. Presumably there was a back plate which has been lost. If this is a book clasp the loop and bar to which it would have been attached is missing. The object has a mid brown patina with light green corrosion product on the reverse and also on the upper face within the grooves. There are book clasps illustrated in Egan ‘The Medieval Household’, 1998, page 279 although none resemble this one. In Read ‘History Beneath Our Feet’, 1988 there are several book clasps illustrated (p.91) but none are the same shape as this. However nos.1,2,4,11-14,16,17 and 19-21 do have circles around the rivet holes. Length 30.73mm, width 17.74mm, thickness 0.8mm, weight 2.2g.

Dates

POST MEDIEVAL (Probably), Circa 1500 AD - 1700 AD

ESSEX, England: ESS-3044A4, Medieval lead seal matrix

Object Type:	SEAL MATRIX
	Cast lead seal matrix dating from the Medieval period, probably 13th century. It is circular in shape with what could possibly be an eight-pointed star or eight-pettalled flower device in relief at its centre. There is no line separating the device from the inscription. The inscription around the outside reads: S’. RIC[...A]R[ ]…. At the start of the legend is a cross patée. This is a personal seal of a Richard or Ricard. It is unusually thin and has no handle or lug. The reverse is plain apart from some scored lines. The seal is no longer flat, having been bent. Many examples of circular seals exist on the PAS database and they tend to date from the 13th and 14th century. This one has a diameter of 22.79mm, thickness of maximum 2.4mm, and a weight of 7.5g.
	Inscription:	S’. RIC[...A]R[ ]….

Dates

EARLY MEDIEVAL (Probably), Circa 1200 AD - 1300 AD

ESSEX, England: ESS-31B327, Medieval copper alloy harness pendant

Object Type:

Heraldic HARNESS PENDANT

A cast copper alloy Medieval harness pendant dating to the 12th to 14th century. An oval shaped pendant with a suspension loop turned to nearly 90 degrees. The loop is formed by bending a bar over. The decoration is a shield with three chevrons. The reverse is plain and flat. The object has a mid to dark brown patina and a rather flaky surface. There is light green corrosion product on the suspension loop and around the edges. There is no trace of any gilding or enamelling. Length 36.25mm, width 20.85mm, thickness 1.64mm, diameter of loop 8.7mm and weight 4.1g.

Dates

EARLY MEDIEVAL (Certain), Circa 1100 AD - 1400 AD

21st Feb 2010 Guys go home- more museum recordings and treasures

Is this the field where Richard III lost his kingdom for a horse? Real location of Battle of Bosworth finally revealed after 500 years

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1252208/Real-location-Richard-IIIs-Battle-Bosworth-500-years.html#ixzz0g9iKyHOr

The latest batch of coins sent for fixing is ready for pick, still got to post a few of the last batch yet.

17thC Charles II silver button - reported as treasure to Colchester museum

Medieval gold finger ring - reported as treasure to Colchester museum

1.71g,15.40g

The guys have finished their hunt and what an interesting first week on the new 66 field site. The weather was great and the guys just roamed around aimlessly hoping for a hot spot and found some amazing relics and coins. It is going to take us years to get a real feel of fields this large but it is showing huge potential. Two more treasures were found, Ohio Scott found a woman's plain medieval finger ring, Ohio Gerry found the 17thC Charles II wedding commemorative silver button, both have been reported to Colchester museum and the landowner. The silver Roman coins found during the tour have an incredibly hard crust and are still 'cooking' to break it down. I still have bunch of finds to post yet to the latest finds page Feb 2010 finds.

This is our best ever season so far for gold finds since we started and I have Updated this years gold finds page

The next hunt in is the Boston Beau team on the 27th Feb who are trialing 2 of the lodges at the new Barn II accommodation. The first guys loved the accommodation but one of the beds was a bit hard.

There is one double bedded lodge free if anyone wants to join the hunt and it is only one mile from the new site. On this trip you have you own car, pick your own fields and can detect as many hours as you like with nightlight's if you fancy real hard core.

The next full board hunts start on the 6th March for a month, hopefully we can get on each of the 66 fields on the new site before the close of the season in April.

I have posted a few more of our PAS database entries below and their ID's.

ESSEX, England: ESS-32C082, Post-Medieval combination lock

Object Type:

combination LOCK

A cast copper alloy Post-Medieval combination lock dating from 1550 to 1650. The lock has a cylindrical case. The cylindrical case is made up five discs originally movable but now corroded onto an axle, between two outer discs. The two outer discs are attached to an arched hasp or shackle which is D-shaped in section and is 15.1mm high. There are capital letters engraved or stamped on the five rotating discs rather than numbers. Only two sets of letters can be seen, the rest having worn away, along with the surface. The case has a diameter of 15.5mm and is 31.54mm long. Its size and design make it likely that it was used to lock a casket. Weight 25.8g. There are traces of dark green patina on the object and there is also a dark brown colouring as well as some patches of light green corrosion. The axle is lighter green than the rest. There is an almost identical one on the database from Lincolnshire (LIN-80D373) except with symbols instead of letters and a very similar one from Suffolk (SF8892).

Dates

EARLY POST MEDIEVAL (Certain), Circa 1550 AD - 1650 AD

ESSEX, England: ESS-2D16B4, silver Roman Republican denarius serratus of the moneyer Q. Antonius Balbus

Object Type:	COIN
	Silver Roman Republican denarius serratus of the moneyer Q. Antonius Balbus, Rome, 83-82 BC
	This coin comes from a large issue with 340 obverse dies and 378 reverse dies.

Dates

EARLY ROMAN (Certain) to EARLY ROMAN (Certain), 83 BC - 82 BC

ESSEX, England: ESS-2DFDE2, Medieval copper alloy jetton of Edward II

Object Type:	Class XI sterling bust JETTON
	A cast copper alloy jetton of Edward II (Class XI), dating to 1310-14. A sterling bust jetton showing the king’s bust. See Mitchiner, M, Vol 1, nos.117,118. The object has a mid green patina with very light green corrosion product or dirt on the lower relief areas.

Dates

EARLY MEDIEVAL (Certain), 1310 AD - 1314 AD

18th Feb 2010 Monster double gold day - museum recordings

I picked up another batch of our recorded finds from the museum yesterday and there are some very interesting ID's on finds we were not certain about. I have posted a couple below them with their National database entries and ref number. I will be posting more over the the next couple of days.

Detecting is an amazing hobby. One day pouring down with rain, boot sticking mud, cold, wet and getting totally skunked. Next day bright sunshine, perfect land conditions and monster finds. They don't get any better than NH Dave's first very unusual Celtic gold from a new site to get the blood pumping. I just sent pictures and details of to the new landowner so he will be pleased with the finds so far. I cannot find a match in the Hobbs ref book but at a guess it could be a 50BC uninscribed QC qtr stater. I have sent it off to John Stills who runs the Celtic Coin Index National database to record it and get his views and ID. Then to make a great day even better Min Mindy finds another couple of stonkers, gold mourning ring and a huge medieval key in perfect shape. The guys also dug quite a few 1st/2ndC Roman bronze coins but they were all eaten to death apart from one that might have some detail after it has soaked for a while.

Updated this years gold finds page

I have posted more finds to the new hunt page Feb 2010 finds.

Celtic gold qtr stater 13.56,1.29mm - not sure of tribe yet, sent to Celtic coin index for recording and ID

(not treasure as it is under 300 years old)

1726 gold mourning ring - Legend with black enamel reads

TIM COOKE 1726 AGE 73

2.07g, 20.34mm dia

Huge medieval key 76.34mm

ESSEX, England: ESS-32F9F1, Medieval copper alloy spur buckle

Object Type:	spur BUCKLE
	Cast copper alloy Medieval spur buckle (1250-1500) with an integral plate and missing pin. The frame is small and sub-rectangular with a sub-circular knop at the terminal and vestiges of pin rest. There would have been a small aperture for the attachment end of the pin in the plate. However the bar of the aperture has corroded away so all that remains is a notch in the plate. The other end of the plate ends in a loop. The plate itself is narrow and undecorated. The buckle is of stout construction and would have been worn on a spur. It has a mid brown patina with traces of mid green colouring. There is light green corrosion product especially concentrated around the terminals. Length 44.3mm, width of frame 18.31mm, thickness 5.95mm, weight 9.8g. See Whitehead 2003, Buckles, pages 32-35. The closest example would be no. 190 which has an oval frame, However Whitehead page 32 does state that rectangular shaped frames are known.

Dates

MEDIEVAL (Certain), Circa 1250 AD - 1500 AD

ESSEX, England: ESS-332F71, Roman copper alloy escutcheon

Object Type:

Handle Escutcheon VESSEL

Complete cast copper alloy Roman vessel escutcheon. This object takes the form of a curved bar with sub-rectangular section. The base is completely flat. Half way along the bar is an integral sub-circular loop which would have served to take a handle. The loop also curves in line with the bar. Near each end of the bar is a triangular upright knop. This decoration is mirrored on both sides of the loop where there are small projections. It would have been soldered onto the top edge of the vessel, as there is no sign of break or fixture on any edge or face. The object although very worn does not appear to be broken. It has a pitted surface and the original surface, where it survives, is dark green. Otherwise the object is light green within the pits and there is corrosion product concentrated around the loop. Length 71.63mm, thickness max 5.13mm. The width/height including the loop is 20.15mm. The weight is 19.3g. Related finds NCL-249C60 and ESS-874B53

Dates

EARLY ROMAN (Probably), Circa 100 AD - 200 AD

16th Feb 2010 More early finds

Our new 66 field site has so far produced every period of find from 11,000 BC, Romano/Celtic, Saxon, Medeival up to present day. The latest find by NH day of a 1000BC socketed axe fragment means there was also Bronze Age occupation . This is an unusual find as it is the top section of the axe with the tie loop showing. Normally with axe fragments we find are the the botton blade section where it fractured.

I have posted more finds to the new hunt page Feb 2010 finds.

1000 BC Bronze age socketed axe fragment - Mass Bruce's 850 BC axe hoard find

Interesting finds c10thC - 2 Saxon harness cheek pieces from the same field and they appear to be from the same maker

Roman 1sr/2nd C silver coin as dug and 'cooking' to remove crust

Well worn Roman BC period Republican silver coin - hopefully there is some detail under the crust after it is 'cooked'

More news pages

Oct 2009 to Feb 2010

July 2009 to Oct 2009

March 2009 to July 2009

Feb 2009 to March 2009

Nov 2008 to Feb 2009

Sept 2008 to Nov 2008

Brad's gold medieval gold statue

June 2008 to Sept 2008

March 2008 to June 2008

Oct 2007 to March2008

Sept 1st 2007 to Oct 2007

English Saxon gold coin found

NEWS June 2007 to Sept 2007

NEWS March 2007 to June2007

Double Cunobelin Celtic gold

NEWS March 2007 to April2007

Chicago Reid's Roman gold ring

NS Andy's Saxon strap end

NEWS Nov 2006 to March 2007

NEWS Sept 2006 to Nov 2006

Medieval Iconic gold ring find

NEWS May 2006 to Sept 2006

First Celtic gold of the season

NEWS March to May 2006

Celtic Woad cosmetic grinder and Jeff Roman Pecker find

NEWS Oct 2005 to March 2006

Viking silver strap end- Rare Roman silver coin finds

NEWS Sept 2005 to Oct 2005

Great Saxon silver finds Offa Rex - Coenwulf - Hammered gold

NEWS March 2005 toSept 2005

Villa Dig - Roman gold - Celtic gold hoard found

NEWS Sept 2004 to March 2005

Can Majos and Mass Bills gold rings - Texas Dave's hammered gold

NEWS March 2004 to Sept 2004

Roman gold coin - Mass Bruce's axe hoard

NEWS Jan 2004 to March 2004

2000BC Axe - Boston Buds Saxon gold

More Archived News Pre 2004

michelle@colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk