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Metal detecting holidays in England with the Worlds most successful metal detecting club Twinned with Midwest Historical Research Society USA |
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Metal detecting holidays in England with the Worlds most successful metal detecting club Twinned with Midwest Historical Research Society USA |
Oct 2013 to 13th Jan 2015 Archived news page |
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13th Jan 2015 More site updates and export approved - Under a month to kick off
Huge Saxon silver coin hoard found - 5251 coins !!
An amateur treasure hunter could be in line to receive part of a £1 million windfall after unearthing a hoard of rare Anglo Saxon coins in a Christmas dig. The 5,251 silver coins, which are more than 1,000 years old, were found in a farmer’s field near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.
PAS numbers now issued for Celtic gold coin finds I have just been entombed in my study just banging out more export license applications before the 2nd half of the season kick off in just under a month now. I have posted more missed finds to the bottom of the 2014 Oct2 finds page including some bonus crusty hammered silver coin that cleaned up really well. There was even a neat triple gold modern gold ring in Can Victors pouch I had not photo'd. I have added it to this year gold count page that now stands at 30 pieces.
20thC Continental triple carat gold ring - no hall marks 1.99g, 19mm
I have the results back from the British Museum on what Celtic gold coins we found now go forward as potential hoards so far this season. The non hoard Celtic gold coins have now been issued with PAS numbers so they can be included in the export licenses and taken home by the finders. I have posted a list of finders on the members forum.
Two rarer silver Roman finds approved
I have received back more approved export licenses including both of the Roman silver export licenses above that the experts at the British Museum required more information on. Both of the silvers are rare examples of the emperors. List posted on members forum. Updated the free forum competition page with latest missed medieval silver coins like the Richard II below total at 237 coins
1377 - 99 Richard II hammered silver half penny Obv +RICARD REX ANGL' Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON London mint
1625 Charles 1st hammered silver half penny I have updated all the mount pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season
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30th Dec 2014 Site updates and exports - more new pages Gold ring found in Swansea field declared treasure I hope you all had a good Christmas and looking forward to a prosperous new year. It is just a month until we start the 2nd half of the season with another 100 + fields waiting for their first hit this season. We currently have 3 farms where serious shooting/hunting takes place from Sept to Feb so we don't get to search them until the end of the hunting season which is Feb 1st's kick off. We are currently running at 500 + fields for you to pick from in the 2nd half so tons to play for until we end in April. A couple of the 'Barn' hunts still have a couple of free places if you want to join in. Drop me a mail at enquiries@essexfarmholidays.co.uk and I will forward you mail to the Barn leaders like, Ron, Mindy and Sal. I am still working my through the current export licence applications and got a couple more approved licenses back yesterday in the post, names posted on members forum. I have also been updating more of our site with finds from the 1st half of the season and splitting the larger pages into smaller individual denominations and sorting them by mint mark. It is now a lot clearer to see the more common dates that are found and the rarer ones. All missed finds are posted to the bottom of the last hunt page 2014 Oct2 finds page.
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16th Dec 2014 Approved exports and more applications - missed finds and new Lizzy 6 pence page
Archaeologists in Jersey find solid gold torc hidden in Celtic coin hoard Amazing find in Jersey !!
Decorated medieval lead spindle whorl Domed lead spindle whorls are generally Roman but go through to the post medieval period. Before the use of spinning wheels, spinning was carried out with a spindle and a whorl. The spindle, or rod, usually had a swelling on which the whorl was fitted. A wisp of prepared wool was twisted around the spindle, which was then spun and allowed to drop. The whorl, acting like a flywheel adds momentum to the spindle. By doing this the fibres were extended and twisted into a yarn
Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpences by mintmark page I have just been banging away preparing more of the guys export license applications from the first half of the season. There have been some more monster pouches added to potential 'pouch of the year' list like Can Marty's who found 3 medieval seal matrix's in one week, a club record. I have posted full find lists and pictures to the members forum. I have posted more missed finds to the bottom of the 2014 Oct2 finds page including only the 2nd decorated medieval lead spindle whorl I have seen dug . Initially it looked like a lead fishing weight until I cleaned it up. I have received the first batch of approved export licenses back and posted the list of names on the members forum. Most of the individual hammered silver pages by either King or Queen on the site are too huge and messy. I have now completed the first proper revamp of just Elizabeth 1st sixpences and given them their own page sorted now in mint mark order and date. It now reduces the load on the gold and shilling page that both require this treatment. It is interesting to view the page and see the common mint marks and the rare ones. Elizabeth 1st hammered silver sixpences by mintmark page
16thC Tudor clothing fastener
18thC silver clog fastener Clogs: Footwear made either completely of wood, or having a wooden sole to which a leather, rubber, or cloth covering may be attached. Until the end of the 18th century, clogs were what the majority of people wore on their feet, as they were inexpensive and protective. The clasps made for use on clogs and shoes were made in two parts: the clasp (the hook side) and the hasp (the cut out section) to take the hooked part of the clasp Clogs or sabots were probably developed from the high wooden pattens worn by ladies of fashion to protect their shoes from the muddy streets between the 16th and 18th centuries. Wooden poulaines were also worn as overshoes in the fourteenth century to protect the delicate fabric footwear. When peasants wore pattens they were called "galoche". These originated in Ardennes and were known in Roman Times. Galoshes consisted of wooden soles, with a leather top. The footwear was serviceable, hardwearing and provided protection from the wet ground. Pattens were made from willow, poplar or any other strong wood, which did not split. They proved popular in the Low Countries and France. There are many references to pattens in contemporary popular literature. Samuel Pepys complained in his diary in 1660 about the poor workmanship of his wife's pattens. The report did not stop Queen Mary II from acquiring five pairs of satin sabots with gold and silver lacing in 1694. Pattens were regularly advertised in the London Gazette and popular with both sexes. Later the character Catherine Morland in Jane Austen's (1775-1817) "Northanger Abbey" records on her trip to the abbey 'wherever they went some pattened girl stopped to curtsey.' This would suggest the servant class as a form of tough footwear wore pattens even if the weather was not inclement. Charles Dickens character, Mrs Perrybingle in 'The cricket on the heath' is described as 'clicking over the wet stones in a pair of pattens that worked innumerable rough impressions of the first proposition in Euclid all about the year.' The early settlers to Brisbane were reported as wearing small clog overshoes to protect their fashionable shoes. The solid leather clogs were for day to day wear with brass nails and horseshoe shaped irons nailed to the soles.
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4th Dec 2014 More exports, updates and missed finds
Heavily encrusted hammered silver coin cleaned up - 1189- 1199 Richard 1st hammered silver short cross penny Class 2 Obv hENRICVS REX Rev *VENE.ON.LVND - Moneyer Stivene of London mint The export process for guys finds pouches is a long process where every find has to be photographed and a detailed finds list written. However it is a very important process as every find is re looked at very closely and any missed finds can be recorded. While the hunts are in full flight it is very easy to miss an obscure crusty find which guys do not ID. Fl Rob had a real crusty silver Roman he did not know he had found and Min Mindy had a beauty early rarer type hammered silver penny I just cleaned up. More obscure items like the lead book below can be sent to the museum for their views as it is not obvious what date or use it had. All missed finds are posted to the bottom of the last hunt page 2014 Oct2 finds page. Posted a load more full export pictures and find lists to the members forum. Updated the free forum competition page with latest total at 226 coins
Crusty 2ndC Roman silver coin - 'cooking' to remove crust
1590-2 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver penny - hand mint mark
Very interesting find in a guys export pouch - Lead book with Viking Thor hammer pendant relief on the front Sent to museum for their views - Scale in cm's PAS existing Thor hammer pendant record Unique ID: NMS-35FDF0
Medieval silver 'clasped hands' ring - reported as treasure to museum I have updated more of the individual pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season.
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26th Nov 2014 Web site went down - Museum info and more exports - 3 of our Celtic hoards acquired by museum
My web hosting company went down for five days so I was unable to do any uploads or updates but it back working again now. Meanwhile I have been working hard on the export license applications from the first half of the season. I have posted more full finds lists and pictures to the members forum and also posted a few missed finds out of the export pouches to the bottom of the 2014 Oct2 finds page. I have completely revamped the currently hammered silver page that was far too big. I have removed all the Henry VI gold and silver coins and created an individual page for that king. I also put those Henry VI coins now into denomination order. The rest of the hammered silver page also needs splitting into individual kings now as it still too large still. New Henry VI hammered gold and silver page
I had a meeting last week with the museum to drop off more treasures and pick up a bunch of disclaimed treasures, list below, that will now be returned to the guys after exporting. I have also received several e-mails detailing 3 of the previous Celtic gold hoards we found that just went through the British Museum valuation committee stage. All three have been acquired by the local museum so both the finders and landowners share the reward 50/50 shortly. These coins will eventually go on display in the Colchester museum for members to visit. Col John - medieval silver seal matrix I have also been cleaning up the current 'cooking' ancient silver coins that include both Celtic, Roman and Saxon examples . Some of the crusts are 1/8 inch thick so it can take over two years to melt off the 'horn' silver crust. Col John's below was an unexpected bonus in his export pouch which he thought was just a button. The crusts on these ancient coin is so thick that in most cases you cannot see any detail. This coin took over a year to finally finish 'cooking' but it turned out to very crisp example in the end. I started work on the Saxon silver sceat below and done the intially picking that revealed some of the detail. You can now see the depth of the crust which is rock hard without 'cooking' first.
What you have here is a silver Siliqua of Gratian, (367-383) the young son ofValentinian I, elevated to Augustus at the age of 7. This piece is fromthe mint at Trier, the exergual mint mark is TRPS• Referencesare RIC IX, 27f-1; and RSC 86a. This type with Roma holdingVictory and a scepterrather than the inverted spear Roma generally holds in her left hand on VRBSROMA Siliquae dates to the period 367-375.
Primary Saxon silver sceat 600- 700 AD - started 'cooking' it to clean off crust - Series E (variety G3 Sent to Fitzwilliam museum for recording Many thanks for this new find, which I have recorded as EMC 2014.0289.
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15th Nov 2014 Lots more site updates Updated more of the individual pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season. Posted more export pouch full find lists and pictures to the members forum.
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8th Nov 2014 More site updates Updated more of the individual pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season. Posted more export pouch full find lists and pictures to the members forum.
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3rd Nov 2014 More site updates and first exports posted
1. 1641 -3 Charles 1st hammered silver shilling (12 pence)- Triangle in circle mint mark
Updated more of the individual finds pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season. Posted first of the export pouch full finds list and pictures to the members forum. No find over 50 years old can be taken out of the UK without a numbered photograph of the item and a detailed finds list. This includes every button, lead musket ball, copper coin etc. Check out the guide to exporting here on this link
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1st Nov 2014 Lots of site updates Just started back after a nice weeks break and have begun updating the individual finds pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season. I have prepared all the treasures and hoards ready for my next meeting with the museum to start the ball rolling with the treasure process. Several of the items have already been disclaimed by the British museum experts as post 1714 so the guys will be getting them back to take home after export process.
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25th Oct 2014 More gold to end the half season break - more great relics posted
45 BC to 25BC Addedomarus - Trinovantian tribe Celtic gold stater - sent to PAS for recording 5.58g, 18mm Fl Paul ended the first half of the season with a bang and his first ever gold coin, mint Adde full stater. Ch Ron found part of a gold brooch taking the half season total to 29 pieces of gold so far. Updated this years gold page.
I have posted a load more great hammered silver coins and relics to the new finds page 2014 Oct finds 2. I have a load more finds to upload yet then it will be time to start exporting applications. Full find lists and pictures are always posted to the members forum so you can see what the guys found. 2nd half of the season kicks off on 1st Feb. 2015. I have updated the forum comp page with the latest total of medieval hammered silver coins found so far to win a free trip. Forum competition page
C11thC Saxon stirrup mount - Class B Type 3 Group 2 ref Williams 429 Similar PAS example BH-53C901 - Stag face
British Celtic 'Pierced Bulb' Toggle Fastener Circa 1st century BC-1st century AD. A cast fitting in the form of a pierced bulb with medial indent extending to a thick, round-section discoid terminal. Such fittings were used as toggles to fasten garments, passing through a slit or loop. Reference: cf. looped variants in Murawski, P. Benet's Artefacts of England and the United Kingdom
Victorian gold brooch
Complete large Georgian horse harness bell - Foundry mark SC
Lots of nice clay pipe bowl and stems being found
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21st Oct 2014 More monster finds - our first ever Gallo Potin - Mark wins the free trip
Ron prepares all the name chips - Sal draws the winner - Tenn Mark is sitting quietly in back ground
We had the club pizza and beer get together and the guys chowed down like bandits. When Ron helped me in with all the boxes of pizza, garlic bread and chicken wings out of the truck he said we will never eat this lot. 15 minutes later there was just a couple of bits of pizza left, man those boys can chomp. Ron prepared the raffle tokens to win a free weeks detecting trip and Sal pulled out the winning name and Tenn Mark was sitting opposite me, I captured the minute he realised he had won the free trip !!
Brilliant find, our first Gallo Belgic Potin - sent to PAS for recording http://www.ancientimports.com/introtopotinsofgaul.html Gallia Belgica (from the Seine to the Rhine), the Remi. Cast Potin . Circa 100-60 BC. Scheers 191Gallia Belgica (from the Seine to the Rhine), the Remi. Cast Potin . Circa 100-60 BC. Obv.: Male figure (druid?) with hair in a long plait, running right, holding spear and torc. Rev.: Wolf (?), right, gnawing on prey; above, fibula. BMC 501 ff. DLT 8124. DT 155. Scheers 191.
Ga Rick has found our first ever 100 BC Gallo Belgic Celtic Potin on new land and it is in great shape. It is the first one I have seen in 12 years and while I was speaking to the FLO at Colchester museum she has never recorded one locally either. The Colchester area is know nationally as a disproportionate ratio of gold Celtic to the silver and bronze examples so this is an amazingly rare discovery for us. Hopefully as this is a brand new site for the club there are more examples to be found there. Miss Jeff then popped a great Saxon 'Porcupine type' silver sceat that should 'cook' up really well. Rick also popped a very neat late medieval silver long cross pin that I have reported as treasure to the museum. On the new field there was also a rare early milled silver find of a Charles II undated type milled silver two pence. I have posted a load more great hammered silver coins and relics to the new finds page 2014 Oct finds 2. I have updated the forum comp page with the latest total of medieval hammered silver coins found so far to win a free trip. Forum competition page
Primary Saxon silver sceat 600- 700 AD - 'cooking' it to clean off crust - Series E (variety G3 Sent to Fitzwilliam museum for recording Many thanks for this new find, which I have recorded as EMC 2014.0289.
Late medieval silver fretwork pin - reported as treasure to museum
1670 Charles II milled silver two pence - undated issue Ref Spink 3387
11,000 BC flint scraper
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18th Oct 2014 - New Oct finds page 2 created Just split Octobers current finds page into two as it was too massive, this will improve loading times. Uploaded a load more great finds to this new page. 2014 Oct finds 2. |
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16th Oct 2014 - 6 more gold finds and superb relics
Mint condition lead document papal seal. Pope Boniface VIII (AD 1294 to AD 1303) BONI FATIVS Medieval Papal Bullae. A lead Papal Bullae of Pope Obverse shows the heads of the apostles Peter and Paul, the founders of the Church of Rome with SPASPE (Sanctus PAulus and Sanctus PEtrus) above http://historymedren.about.com/library/who/blwwpopelist.htm
Ancient gold sheet - reported as potential treasure to museum 5.23g, 14mm L
Ga Buddy popped an amazing early medieval gold spoil sheet that I have reported to the museum as potential treasure and then nearby found one of my favourite finds of the year so far with a very crisp medieval lead Papal Bullae of Pope Boniface VIII. Buddy then went on to find his first gold coin in 30 years of detecting with what appears to be a one of a kind 50 BC Clacton type cross qtr gold stater, Buddy is on fire this trip. I need to do some more research on his coin as it does not appear in my Hobbs or Rudd ref books. I sent it off to PAS for recording so hopefully they can shed more light on it. The guys also popped three modern gold rings off a new site we just started to search and Seattle Charles then popped a totally mint Victorian full sovereign by an old fence which added another 6 gold items to this years club gold count. Great hunting by the guys. Updated this years gold page. I have uploaded more of their great relics and silver coins to the latest finds page 2014 Oct finds.
1900 - 9 carat - Birmingham hall mark -Maker TSS 3.90g ,20mm
1878 - 22 carat gold ring - London hall mark 2.16g,19.2mm
c 50 BC Celtic gold qtr stater - Similar to a Clacton Cross type but not a match in the Ref books, Hobbs and Rudd - sent to PAS for recording and ID 1.44g, 13.5mm Van Arsdell VA 1460-1 http://www.celticcoins.ca/record.php?coin_id=010056
Mint condition 1869 Victoria full gold sovereign 8.04g, 22mm
Victorian rose gold signet ring top 0.92g, 10mm H
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14th Oct 2014 More great Tudor treasures and silver - find of the year award
Bronze Age Tress Ring C1000BC Lock-RingsOrnaments, whose function is unknown, made from gold plates in triangular cross-section and secured by a binding strip, resulting in a hollow ring. The face plates can be decorated with repoussé decoration or with fine concentric incised lines imitating fine wire works. More rarely, lock-rings are made from face plates obtained from individual gold wires soldered together. References
Sal presents Ill Tim (right) with the silver Urn trophy and free weeks trip for winning 'find of the year' with his 1300 BC gold Tress ring Viking treasure haul unearthed in ScotlandThought this might be of interest to all:
The guys have been digging loads of great relics including the two beauty Tudor treasures below. I have uploaded so many more great hammered silvers and relics to the latest finds page but have still not caught up photographing last weeks finds 2014 Oct finds. The guys have found two more gold rings that I not taken shots of yet and a mint lead Papel badge. I will try and get a load more uploaded tonight to the latest finds page.
16thC Tudor gilded silver pin - reported as treasure to museum
16thC Tudor gilded silver clothing fastener - reported as treasure to museum
Late Saxon 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 found
Iron age knife or dagger pommel - unusual knop design
Early medieval heavy cast copper alloy scabbard chape for a sword or dagger
Early medieval knife quillion
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11th Oct 2014 Very rare Celtic silver and more great relics including gold
10- 40 AD Celtic silver unit Cunobelinus Spiky silver unit CAMVl in front, CAM with VL behind Seated victory r.holding bowl or wine cup in r.hand CVNO below chair BMC 1863-65 classed as Very rare Louisiana Sal has found one of our rarest ever Celtic silver units with a 10- 40 AD Cunobelinus Spiky. We just got another couple of new farms to search so this is a great start on new land with Chicago Ron also popping a neat 1950's gold ring s. I have uploaded lots of great hammered and milled silver coins to the latest hunt page 2014 Oct finds and updated this years gold page. Thanks to one of our readers Kev Woodward for ID'ing one of Navy button finds from many years ago on our Navy page.
It's to the Preventive Water Guard - established in 1809. The coast of Britain was divided into three divisions, Carlisle to Landsend, Landsend to North Foreland and North Foreland to Berwick. Naval Officers with the title of Inspecting Captains were appointed to each division and given command of a small fleet. In 1816 the Preventive Water Guard was made responsible to the treasury. The Preventive Water Guard operated in coastal waters to tackle smugglers who evaded revenue cruisers. If the weather was rough, they operated from the shore. All recruitment was from demobilised Royal Navy sailors.
1953 - 18 carat - London hall mark gold ring - date letter S 23mm, 4.95g
17thC silver seal matrix - reported to museum as treasure
850 BC Bronze Age socketed axe head fragment
Huge Roman bronze with a very different obverse sent for ID
13thC Medieval heraldic belt mount of De Clare 'Found more on De Clare-- seems there was a Gilbert "The Red" (red haired) de Clare & son of Richard-- was one of the Earls of Gloucstershire (7th , I think) and had a whole bunch of other lands in 20 counties in Eng and Ireland. Joined the Montfort rebellion against the king. Married a jaon (Johanna) daughter of Edward II Longshanks , she was born in Acre - the site in the holy land where the Crusaders / Templar's lost it all . He was born in 1243'.
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9th Oct 2014 Mint 1500 BC axe -more stunning silvers and relics
Bronze Age (c.1500-1400BC) cast copper alloy primary shield pattern palstave, dating to the Acton Park Phase 137.5 mm L x 53.5mm W
A palstave is a development of the flat axe, where the shaped sides are cast rather than hammered
Interesting looking 9 carat art deco style gold ring 2.21g, 19.5mm Ill Darwin hunting new land popped a neat Art Deco style gold ring and then nearby found a monster old find, mint condition 1500 BC palstave axe. I still have another 850 BC axe head to photo and another gold ring the guys just found.
I have posted so many more great small hammered silver coins to the latest find page 2014 Oct finds. With very sensitive light little machines like the Deus and improving skill rates within the club improving, these tricky little finds are at a record high this season. The CTX 3030 has really coming into its own with the use of the 10 x 10 grid feature and its built in GPS and made the most significant improvements in find rates this season. I have now updated this seasons gold page with latest finds This years Gold page.
Medieval cross bow bolt 770 mm L
c10thC Saxon stirrup mount type 12 - non open fretwork type , 43.56mm H Ref 302 Williams
13th/14thC medieval barrel lock
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7th Oct 2014 Great silvers and triple gold finds
Mint condition - 50 BC Celtic gold Gallic import qtr stater - sent to PAS for recording Crossed lines with rider ABC 37, VA 37 Classed as scare 1.94g, 12 mm Caletes tribe, Normandy coast
The guys are on fire again this week and Cal Geo popped a mint condition 50 BC Caletes tribe qtr stater off one of our brand new sites. Maryland Scott popped a mint 56 BC Gallo Belgic full stater on old land we have had for several years but not searched a lot. With over 500 fields for the guys to pick from each morning it is tough to get around them all in a season. We have a new system in place with both the British and local Colchester Museum's where this season we report all Celtic gold to PAS first and then a CCI will be issued later. Currently the two systems are not linked for an auto update between the two. Albert Rory popped a sweet little diamond gold ring below his Mrs will be happy with as she is also a club member but stayed back in Canada to look after the kids this trip. I have now updated this seasons gold page with latest finds This years Gold page. I have posted tons more great l hammered silver coins and relics to the new finds page 2014 Oct finds. I have reported several new treasures posted on the Oct finds page to the museum.
Sweet 1989 - 9 carat gold diamond ring - Sheffield hall mark Maker A.T. L d 1.70g, 20mm dia
Beautiful strike of a 56 BC Gallo Belgic full Celtic gold stater - sent to PAS for recording 6.26g, 20 mm
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4th Oct 2014 Amazing relics, gold and more silver
Decorated gold stud reported to museum as potential treasure - possible 16thC Tudor Louisiana Sal's guys have been on fire and broken multiple club records on their two week hunt on both old and new land, they have one day more hunting to go before they head back across the pond. Sal popped another neat piece of gold above and Boston Mike popped a tiny Tudor gilded silver ring fragment. It is difficult to date the gold stud as it could be 16thC Tudor right up to early Georgian so I have reported it as potential treasure to the museum. I have created a new find page to improve load times 2014 Oct finds. I have posted tons more great hammered silver and relics to this latest finds page.
I have now updated this seasons gold page with latest finds This years Gold page.
Stunning 2ndC Roman enamelled plate brooch
Outer ring of a 16th/17thC combination lock - needs more research
Spanish diner of Ferdinand II (1479-1516) Obv Crowned King bust facing left Rev Feathers or plumes ID'd by Ohio Drew
850 Bronze Age socketed axe head fragment
Cleaning up Roman silver coin - sent for ID - Col John What you have here is a silver Siliqua of Gratian, (367-383) the young son of Valentinian I, elevated to Augustus at the age of 7. This piece is from the mint at Trier, the exergual mint mark is TRPS• References are RIC IX, 27f-1; and RSC 86a. This type with Roma holding Victory and a scepter rather than the inverted spear Roma generally holds in her left hand on VRBS ROMA Siliquae dates to the period 367-375. However, considering Roman coins in general, Siliquae are far scarcer than, say, Denarii. I've heard it said that you'll see at least 100 Denarii for every Siliqua you'll ever see - and although I haven't strictly "kept score" or otherwise checked empirical statistics, I'd say that's probably about right. It's a very nice piece which I expect will be quite nice looking after some minor, light cleaning - I wouldn't try to take all of the darker tone off the fields as it will be slightly more valuable with the more "naturally toned" looking appearance that it's probably possible to achieve by gentle cleaning of this very light darkening. Mark
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1st Oct 2014 Huge Dutch hammy gold and a chunky gold brooch
Another HUGE Roman hoard found in England......
Florida Chuck
1544 Netherlands - Holland solar crown - Gold Dutch solar crown of Charles V, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Count of Holland (1506-1555), etc., 0929 Au, 3.41 g, ø 26 mm, value 42 pence, R1, mint mark Canopy (Dordrecht) 42 stuivers Obv *CARO:D:G:RO.IMP.HISP.REX.DVX.BVR.BR Rev 1554*DA:MIHI:VIRTVTE:COTRA:HOS TES:TVOS: Guelders cross 3.41g,25.5mm
Last week Fl Chuck found his first gold coin in 30 years of hunting and radio'd Sal he was having a heart attack and Sal rushed over to thinking he needed to give CPR. Now Chuck has done the double and popped our first ever huge Dutch hammered gold coin and he told said killed him off hence the great snap Sal took of Chuck lying in the field !! Boston Mike then 50 feet away popped a really thick bright gold horse shoe brooch which will now be his lucky talisman. It takes the clubs gold total for the year in to double figures. I have now updated this seasons gold page with latest finds This years Gold page. The guys have been making some stunning hammered silver coin finds like the Venetian soldino below and I have posted a load more to the 2014 Septfindspage2. I still have finds from two weeks ago to post and will create a new Oct finds page to speed up load times shortly. One of our new landowners handed me an eyeball find they made on their land 30 years ago that I took away to ID. It is the biggest coin I had ever held at 70 mm dia and worth a huge chunk of change when I researched it. I gave it back to the landowner yesterday who was really please to finally know what it was after all those years. What an amazing eyeball find and in mint condition. Thanks to Mitch Chris our senior club researcher for ID'ing Virg Margies neat medieval heraldic shield pendant below , Irish Duke of Leinster
Chunky Victorian 18 carat Gold horse shoe brooch - no hall mark so probably continental 4.95g, 20mm dia
Stunning 18thC George III silver mount GEORGE III BELOVED OF HIS PEOPLE
Rare 1708 Anne milled silver shilling -Edinburgh mint - 2nd bust
1501-1521). Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross. Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.
13thC Heraldic shield harness pendant - Duke of Leinster Mitch Chris has ID'd the heraldic pendant found by Virg Margie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_Leinster The actual guy we are looking for is the Uncle of the First Earl of Kildare. The owner of that pendant was Maurice FitzGerald, 3rd Lord of Offaly (1238 – before 10 November 1286) In May 1262, he was among the chief magnates in Ireland summoned to inform King Henry III of England and his son Prince Edward about conditions in the country. He was summoned again in June 1265. Maurice was appointed Justiciar of Ireland on 23 June 1272 following the accidental death of his predecessor, James de Audley on 11 June of that year; his father had served in the same capacity from 1232 to 1245. Maurice himself held the post until September 1273, when he was succeeded by Sir Geoffrey de Geneville, Seigneur de Vaucouleurs. Jim
The landowner eyeballed this on their land and I said I would try and get it ID'd. It looks like a Chineses cash coin but it is a monster and 1/8 inch thick. 69.5mm dia, 7mm thick This copper coin worth 100 cash is from the city of Fuzhou in China, the capital city of Fujian Province. It was minted between 1853 and 1855 during the reign of the Emperor Wen Zong (1850-61), of the Qing Dynasty. The Chinese characters on the obverse read 'Xian Feng tong bao'. The characters at the top and bottom, 'Xian Feng', refer to the reign title of Wen Zong, and translate as 'Universal Prosperity'. The character on the right is 'tong', and that on the left is 'bao', and together they mean 'Universal Currency'. The characters on the reverse indicate the value of the coin and where it was minted. The characters to left and right read 'Boo fu', which means the mint of Fuchow. Those at the top and bottom read 'Yi Bai', which show that the coin is worth one hundred cash.
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28th Sept 2014 Spectacular Roman silver and more great relics
More of the latest finds posted to 2014 Sept2 finds page
Stunning BC Roman silver coin sent for ID 19.1 mm,3.4g A quick reply now and I'll hope to get back to it to tell you some of the details later - there are plenty of details. C. Coelius Caldus - this piece dates to 51 BC. - As you can tell, there's a LOT going on on this piece - most of it has to do with preparations fro the Feast of Jupiter. This is not one of the absolute top-dollar types, but it is a sought-after and somewhat scarce piece with a "catalog value" 2-3 times higher than other, more common or less desirable types from the same era. Cool find! Mark I promised you some more details about this lovely denarius - so here they are. This is an issue given to the family Coelia by Babelon in his original work on Republican coins, classifying them by the families of the issuing aediles - a lower-rank job generally given to younger senators and considered one of the first rungs for climbing the cursus honorum to eventual political status including Consul or Censor, etc. The obverse is a portrait of the younger Caius' namesake grandfather who was consul in 94 BC. The "HIS" on the standard behind his head refers to his military victories in Spain. Not really all that clear on your specimen, there is a standard topped with a boar beneath his chin and COS (for "Consul") beneath the neck truncation. I'm uncertain exactly what the boar represents, but it also relates to his grandfather's exploits in Spain. In front of the portrait, the legend reads C COEL CALDVS - the name of both the moneyer and his famous grandfather. The reverse refers to the moneyer's father who held the office of "Epulo Jovis". The scene depicted is a figure "seated on a lofty lectisternum" between two trophies. The stage is inscribed, CALDVS VII VIR EPVL (VIR & VL in monogram) naming him as a "Septumvir of Epulo" - one of seven officials holding this office simultaneously. I'm uncertain what "epulo" means, exactly, but "Jovis" means "of Jupiter" so it is an honorary religious office of sorts. Vertically on the left it reads C / CALDVS, on the right, I / MP / A / X (MP in monogram) "Imperator, Augur, Deceimvir" and below CALDVS III VIR (LDV in monogram) - "triumvir". There are several sub-types with essentially all these same elements, but variously arranged with legend parts and/or trophies swapping sides of the stage as well as the 2 standards on the obverse swapping location and the HIS on the obverse standard replaced with other abbreviations or by weapons. Yours is RSC Babelon Coelia 7 (out of 6 essentially similar types, differently laid-out, referring to the office of Epulo Jovis numbered 7-12). An interesting piece, to be sure - and one that is generally valued a good bit higher than the average issue of the era. Mark
Org Gary popped one of the best looking Roman silvers I have seen with so much detail on the reverse. Mark Lehman just sent me a 2nd write up on the coin above and it dates to 51 BC. Mark also managed to ID a big sestertius below found by Fl Rob on a new site we are trying to hot spot, he also pooped the sweetest little gold and silver pendant with an etched gold bird at it's centre, picture below. It is probably continental as it has no British hall marks. I particularly like the WWII Royal airforce silver sweetheart badge found by Ont Denny. I have posted so many great hammered silvers and relics to the latest finds page but I am still backed up really badly with finds still to post from last week. I have updated the forum competition page to win a free weeks trip with finds from Sept 1 page, as I create Oct finds page I will add in those on the Sept 2 page into the total - Current total is 42 medieval coins from finds page 1. Check out the link to see your entry.
Big 1stC Roman bronze sent for ID 31mm,15.94 The weight seems a little low - probably from edge-chipping - but it appears to be a sestertius of Crispina, erstwhile wife of Commodus, eliminated in one of his early paranoid purges. Coins were struck in her honor from 178-182 making her one of the somewhat scarcer Antonine personalities to find on coins. The reverse appears to be Juno, holding a patera and scepter, with a peacock at her feet. It's a little hard to tell, but I believe this to be (and therefore the legend would also be) JVNO LVCINA - "The Light-bringer" - the goddess who helped newborn children see the light of day and is especially asociated with childbirth in the Imperial family during the Antonine dynasty. Mark
Late Victorian gold and silver pendant - Continental probably as no British hall marks.
WWII RAF silver sweet heart brooch
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24th Sept 2014 Triple gold finds and and a huge hoard of greenies
Oregon Nellie pops 2 neat rings, one is pure gold
1806 George III milled gold third guinea
Ancient gold ingot - reported to museum as treasure 3.37g, 12.5mm L The guys are hunting like bandits at the moment with three more gold finds. Fl Chuck found his first ever gold coin after 30 years of hunting. He radio's Louisiana Sal that he needed help urgently as he was having a heart attack. Sal was really shocked and hoofed it quickly over the field thinking he needed to give Chuck instant CPR but he was joking about the gold !! Col Bruce then popped a pure yellow gold ancient ingot that I reported as treasure to the museum. Meanwhile Nellie on he first trip here popped two really neat rings, one was dolphin shaped and the other bright gold with no hall marks. I have not taken pictures or played with them yet. I have uploaded a shed loads of great silver and relics to a new finds page I just created to speed up load times. The new page is 2014 Septfindspage2 and I will probably have to split this into a 3rd shortly as that is getting too large too. There are some stunning copper coming out of pasture land at the moment and the William and Mary penny below is one of the best I have seen dug. I have posted more nice greenies to the latest finds page. Org Gary found a huge hoard of 52 copper and clad coins in the corner of a field, the oldest was 1909 !! He eventually gave up as he was bored.
Stunning condition 1688 -94 William and Mary milled copper penny
This 1795 British copper halfpenny token was designed by Thomas Wyon of the Peter Kempson and Sons mint in Birmingham, England, for the London firm of Clark and Harris, dealers in stoves and fireplace grates. The obverse displays a bust of Washington facing right with the legend "G. WASHINGTON. THE FIRM FRIEND TO PEACE & HUMANITY." The reverse displays a large grate (a screen put in front of a fireplace) with LONDON and 1795 below. The reverse legend reads "PAYABLE BY CLARK & HARRIS 13. WORMWOOD St. BISHOPSGATE ." The "Grate" token is found in both the large button and the rarer small button varieties; referring to the relative size of the three buttons on Washington's coat. Most examples have a diagonally reeded edge but about 30 of the large button variety exist with the lettered edge: "PAYABLE AT LONDON LIVERPOOL OR BRISTOL."
Very unusual early medieval zoomorphic style buckle with integral plate
850 BC Bronze Age socketed axe fragment
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21st Sept 2014 Stonking gold ring and more great finds
Stunning Georgian gold signet ring - no hall marks - reported to museum as potential treasure if pre 1714 HK ?
Can Ed has had a monster trip with Celtic gold, Tudor treasure and now a stunning signet ring. I blew up the pictures to show the crisp gold etching on the stone that appears to read the initial HK. It could be on the border around 1714 in date so I have reported it as potential treasure to the museum for their experts to decide. I have posted so many more great relic and silver to the latest finds page latest 2014 Sept finds page. I need to find time time to split this page as it is getting so huge to load. I have now updated this seasons gold page with latest finds This years Gold page.
Stunning condition 4thC Roman bronze sent for ID This is an easy one and a good example of how a couple clear letters in the right place can be just as good as a clear name in the obverse legend. This is a billon centenionalis of Constantius II (son of Constantine I) as Caesar - and although the majority of his name is illegible, the praenomia FL IVL (Flavius Julius) are adequately clear. On this type, those could only be part of the legend for Constantius II as Caesar, bust right, laureate and cuirassed. The full obverse legend would be FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C. Mark Lehman
16thC Tudor period enamelled mount - Tudor rose at centre of gilded O
Georgian clay wig curler By the late seventeenth century these cylinders were being fashioned from pipe clay which had been fired to retain the desired shape. These curlers were rounded at each end and were thinner in the middle, thus helping to retain the hair on the curler.
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18th Sept 2014 More gold and treasures - stunning relics and coins
16thC Tudor gilded silver pendant - reported to museum as treasure 2.03, 19.17 mm H
Stunning solid gold Georgian button/cuff link ?
I have posted so many great relics and coins to the latest finds page it is difficult to pick a few favourites for the front page. Ont Denny popped a stunning solid gold Georgian button/cuff link with a beautiful design. Can Ed then found our 2nd treasure of the season with a beauty Tudor gilded silver pendant. Some of the pasture land copper and token finds have been coming out in stunning shape like the French copper above. A couple the hammered copper trade coins do not appear in the Norweb token bible and are also in great shape. Min Mindy eyeballed a couple of neat 17thC stone cannon ball finds from the English Civil War period on the same field. They used lots of different calibres and stone was cheaper than iron and did more damage to troops when it fractured. The siege of Colchester occurred in the summer of 1648 when the English Civil War reignited in several areas of Britain. Colchester found itself in the thick of the unrest when a Royalist army on its way through East Anglia to raise support for the King, was attacked by Lord-General Thomas Fairfax at the head of a Parliamentary force. The initial Parliamentary attack forced the Royalist army to retreat behind the town's walls but was unable to bring about victory, so settled down to a siege. Despite the horrors of the siege, the Royalists resisted for eleven weeks and only surrendered following the defeat of the Royalist army in the North of England at the Battle of Preston (1648).
Great eyeball finds 2 - 1640's English Civil war stone cannon balls 58mm dia & 36 mm dia
Stunning decorated medieval annular brooch - white enamel within raised turrets remains
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15th Sept 2014 Monster Saxon gold ring found and 'almost' Charles 1st hammy gold
9th-10thC gold finger ring - reported as treasure to museum 2.05g, 10.33mm W
Coin and trade weights
The guys are finding truly amazing coins and relics and very difficult to pick a few choice finds for this page. Check out the beauty other finds uploaded to the latest finds page. I will have to start a new page shortly as it is already getting too large.2014 Sept finds page I have now updated this seasons gold page with latest finds This years Gold page.
Charles 1st hammered silver gilded penny - fake gold during civil war rebellion at Colchester ?? 1641-3 Charles 1st hammered silver penny - mintmark 2 dots King had left London and Parliament stuck these coins Can Ryan has popped our first ever Saxon gold ring find and what a little beauty. Can Marty thought he had popped a mint Charles hammered gold coin but under my scope it is a mint condition gilded Charles 1st penny. This is not a forgery but possibly a token during the Civil War to show loyalty to the King before we chopped off his head. Fantastic relic.
Medieval enamelled shield pendant - soaking to clean up The guys have found three new medieval seal matrix's and I have cleaned them up and the others from a couple of days ago s. This are such a personal relic and one I take a wax impression is it sometimes possible to read the legend that is lombardic script in reverse.
Medieval seal matrix - owl in a tree
Medieval seal matrix - Birds head Obv * VANAVA
13thC medieval seal matrix Image of
13thC Complete suspension loop type, medieval Vessica seal matrix - cleaning it up to reveal legend Obv S'IOhIS - Seal of Iohis son of R The central design
16thC Tudor seal matrix
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13th Sept 2014 Double gold and stunning relics
50BC Gallo Belgic gold stater - sent to PAS for recording 6.46g, 20mm Probably British A1 or E stater.
Having difficulty ID'ing this gold coin same weight and size as a 1559 -78 Elizabeth 1st hammered gold half crown ?? but has harp in bottom qtr 2.09g, 16mm The boys are firmly in their stride now and found two more gold including NH Dave's biggest Celtic gold I think we have found at 6.5g. I have not be able to ID the hammered gold coin yet as I have been too busy posting tons of great relic and silver to the latest finds page. Some of the relics are stunning examples and I am also busy cleaning up the seals so I decipher the legends. I have so many more great finds to post yet like an enamelled medieval harness pendant with what looks like a coloured abstract bird. I will be trying to get some more done today and upload them to the latest finds page.2014 Sept finds page I have now updated this seasons gold page with latest finds This years Gold page. It is going to be tough to beat last years record of 76 pieces in a season.
Medieval dagger quillion A cast copper alloy dagger guard dating from the late Medieval Quillon guards would have been mounted on a dagger in between the blade and the handle, helping to protect the hand from a blow and also preventing it slipping down the blade
13thC Complete suspension loop type, medieval Vessica seal matrix, sacrificial lamb type - cleaning it up to reveal legend
The distinguishing feature of this book format is its long extension of the leather cover along the lower edge of the book, which allows it to be carried by hand, or be tucked under the belt, held there by a large knob or hook incorporated into the over hanging leather. Judging by contemporaneous representations in paintings, sculptures, drawings and in verbal descriptions the majority was made between about 1450 and 1650, mainly in what is now Germany, the Netherlands and England. Only about two dozen still exist, making it a very rare witness to medieval life between six hundred and seven hundred years ago.
First complete medieval book clasp I have seen
13thC medieval seal matrix - figure holding two staffs
1485-90 Henry VII hammered silver groat - Two arches jewelled crown - Class IIIb - pansy Obv hENRICVS DEI ***** Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint
Fascinating seal matrix - animal design with lombardic A lettering and reversed R making it medieval period I am cleaning up the face under my scope to ID the name but the iron shank has me stumped. I cannot find a combined seal ring/key on PAS.
C6thC Saxon gilded disc brooch Anglo-Saxon 'Class Ai' Button Brooch
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11th Sept 2014 2 new farms added - First Celtic gold - Our Roman silver hoard acquired 1£m Early US coin found in England.....Coin worth a possible 1 million £ found in the UK............. Roman Gold found near Colchester.......
Part of the 5thC Roman silver hoard 2012 T729 I have been running around like a headless chicken since the start of the season and have had little chance to update the site with all the great finds being made. I have been out with the landowners keeping them updated with museum hoards and treasures and our previous Roman 5thC silver hoard has now been acquired by the museum for display later. I have created a new 2014 Sept finds page and started uploading the coins and relics. I am so far behind and it will take quite a while to catch up but there are some really neat relics and silver posted already. I will be spending today just banging away uploading more finds to the new finds page so check back later. I have added two new farms this week to the clubs 500 + field portfolio. One site has an old moated Domesday book house and old medieval church at it's centre and shows huge potential, it is 10 nice sized fields. We can also search the moat and grounds. The other site is located on the highest point in the area and has monster sized fields stretching away in the distance. Both the sites are available to search by the members immediately as I have signed the contracts with the landowner.
50 BC Celtic gold Gallic import qtr stater - new one for me - sent to PAS and CCI for recording Crossed lines with rider ABC 37, VA 37 Classed as scare 1.86g, 10.15mm Caletes tribe, Normandy coast Can Ed has kicked off the new season with our first Celtic gold find and a new type for the club. As we find so many Celtic gold coins I have previously agreed a new process last week with the Treasure registrar at the British Museum and the local Finds Liaison Office to streamline the process. This coin will now get both a CCI and PAS number in due course. NH Frank found a beauty Roman silver that looked very early so I sent it off to Mark Lehman for ID thinking it could beat our oldest ever coin found in Britain with Barry's record. Mark replied it is not that old at 90BC !!! What's a 100 + BC between friends !!! I need to do some 'cooking' on this coin to reveal the legend better.
Stunning BC Roman silver sent for ID - needs minimal cleaning Not terribly old, but it is a very nice, clear specimen. This is a huge type which was produced in great quantities at the time of the wars with the Marsic Confederation and for which dozens of minor varieties and some several hundred separate dies are known. Additionally, his son revived the type and produced it on a much smaller scale in c. 60-65 BC. L. Calpurnius Piso L.f. L.n. Frugi, 90 BC. Laureate head of Apollo left (this is a little unusual, it's normally to the right) / Naked horseman galloping right, holding whip. [L] PISO LF FRV[GI] below. RSC-Bab. Calpurnia 6-12d I'm pretty certain that yours is from the father's (Lucius) run of coinage. If you clean this at all it may become possible to figure out what the various fieldmarks and symbols might be - they're all pretty vague and obscured at this point, as is the 1st letter in the name on the reverse. If it happens to be "C" rather than "L", then it's from the son's later run of issues. This is really one of the most common of all Republican denarii, but this is a really nice specimen, it would appear. Mark
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26th August 2014 Just 3 days to the kick off - Land update - more fixed and cleaned silver pics
Complete unit at the British museum
Stunning pair of solid gold 1300 BC armlet rings - reported to museum as treasure 7.06g, 9.25mm W x 11..45mm dia
Club awards
We currently have over 500 fields as a club to search and between now and Nov fields are constantly ploughed and rolled after the summer harvest. I took a long drive around all our sites and amazingly the farmers must have been working overtime and a huge percentage are ready for the kick off. I have never seen this many ready for the first day of the season so the guys arriving Sat will have a huge choice to pick from. The way the club is run is the hunters pick their own sites and can do just one or all 500 in a day if they run around quick enough. As a club leader I never pick the fields for guys to hunt as I am really crap at it. I like sites near old churches or Abbey's which do not necessarily produce the best ancient finds but I love old church sites. One of our the interesting new sites the guys just hit in March for just half a day in really poor weedy conditions produced that double 1300 BC gold ring find and I stopped and walked the fields that are now like billiard tables. The double gold rings formed part of a huge necklace so hopefully the rest of it is there somewhere. The Treasure is currently with the British museum undergoing evaluation. I picked up all the awards which have now been engraved waiting for the guys to arrive for their presentation. Lots of gold medallions awarded this season. I have been cleaning up more of our 'cooking' silver coinm finds and two Continental billion silver coins that were just green lumps when dug came out really clean above. Continental silver is of such poor quality silver around 37% and it nearly always has a thick hard green crust on it that fortunately ''cooks' up well like ancient silver coins.
Great detail coming through on this 'Cooking' Roman silver - could be a 5thC type - Col John Two fixed early hammered silver coins back from our goldsmith.
As dug, annealed and fixed
1422-27 Henry VI hammered silver penny - Annulet issue Annulets by neck, annulets in opposing quadrants in reverse crossObv HENRICVS REX
As dug, annealed and fixed
1180 Henry II hammered silver short cross coin - Class 1b Obv HENRICVS REX
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16th August 2014 2 weeks to the kick off - more awards and prizes - more cooked ancient pictures
I have been busy fitting out our new Merc club bus with rubber floor mats, boot liner and seat covers to protect it from the muddy members. With just two weeks before the kick off for the new season it is time to load it up with all the spades and gear ready for the off. I took in all the awards, cups, shields and medallions in for to our engraver today after the last of the award winners was announced. The vote by the members for 'Pouch of the Year' was the closest run I have ever seen with just 1 vote separating the top 3 pouches. In the end Bav Jeff's double Saxon silver pennies and his double Celtic gold hoard pouch stole the day and you can view it by clicking the link below. Both of Jeff's two Celtic qtrs are currently at the British Museum awaiting ruling on whether they are considered a hoard.
Ill Tim - ‘Find of the year’ – urn and shield and free weeks trip
Ill John, Bav Terry, NH Scott, DC Nick, Ind Wendell Cox, Org Errol, Mass Mike, Tokyo Jeff, Cal George, Ill Tom Halik, Chi Gretchen and Chi Ron.
I am still working on the currently 'cooking' ancient silvers and it is a mixed bag of results below so far.
Cooked half of a silver Roman now sent for ID This one participates in that good luck, to a certain extent at least - we have just enough of the "right stuff" on the remaining fragment of this piece to ID and attribute it quite precisely. It is almost half of a denarius of Vespasian (69-79 AD.) The complete obverse legend should be: "IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII", laureate head right. The complete reverse legend should be: "AVGVR (at the top) TRI POT" with an assortment of religious implementia - the simpulum, aspergillium, jug & lituus. These were symbols of the augurate and the potificate, Vespasian being the holder of both of those titles in addition to the Potestas Tribunicia. This reverse type is copied from a coin of Octavian. The Flavian emperors created a lot of revival types and coins which were minted as an homage to some of their more popular predecessors among the Julio-Claudian family - of which this is an example - perhaps because they were the first emperors who were not of Julio-Claudian lineage and were hoping to associate themselves with the Julio-Claudians in the popular mind by reviving those emperors' coin types. Minted at Rome in 70-1 AD. Mark
'Cooking' Celtic silver - looks like a very rare Cunobelin silver bust type Back into the 'cooker' to remove more crust
'Cooking' Roman silver - could be a BC type Back into the 'cooker' to remove more crust
Finished cooking this Roman silver coin sent for 2nd ID - (Ed) We will need to see what appears on the obverse - particularly in the legend - before I can be completely certain who this is beyond "an Antonine woman". It's highly unlikely to be Faustina Sr. since the main body of her coinage is posthumous and the reverse type - PVDICITIA - would be a quality or virtue only of a living woman. I suspect Faustina Jr. for the following reasons: The shape of the head and the hair style seem to strongly suggest the Antonine era, and although it could be either Faustina Jr. (issued under Antoninus Pius or Marcus Aurelius), Lucilla or Crispina, the length of the obverse legend suggested under the encrustation is likely only on a coin of Faustina Jr. But we'll have to wait and see what the cooker reveals on the obverse. Mark Now that we can read (or at least puzzle-out) the obverse legend well enough to be certain that it reads: FAVSTINA AVGVS-TA AVG PII F = "Faustina, Augusta, Devoted Daughter of the Emperor" She was honored as Augusta in her own right when her mother died in 147, this was several years before before her husband, M. Aurelius was made Augustus (161). She married Marcus Aurelius in 145 and died a few years before him in 175. We can now be certain that this is a lifetime issue for Faustina Jr. which was issued by authority of her father, Antoninus Pius. This issue dates to 156-7 from the mint at Rome. This is an unusual form of obverse legend and is almost unique to this specific type, although this type is not considered particularly scarce. References include: RIC III 508a; RSC 184; BMC1092; and SRCV 4707. Mark
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8th August 2014 'Cooking' crispy ancient silver and Museum visit
Before and after 'cooking' Equals the oldest coin found in Britain at 211 BC
Before and after 'cooking' AR Denarius Serratus, 82 B.C.
Crusty ancient silver coins Most really ancient silver coins come out of the ground with varying degrees of a hard thick crust of 'horn silver' that is impossible to remove by normal cleaning methods. One of Mark Lehman, our Roman coin expert, chemist friend's came up with a mix of olive oil and lemon juice mixed together in a coffee cup and placed onto a coffee machine hot plate to dissolve the crust. See links below for examples I have cleaned by this technique. http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/romansilvercoins.html http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/BCRomansilvercoins.html It has been very effective but can be excruciatingly slow depending on the thickness of the crust. Some of the coins above have been 'cooking' for over a year and have 1/8 inch thick crusts but patience is a virtue and eventually they will begin to clean up. I currently have 26 coins in 3 pots I am working on , Saxon, Celtic, Roman and Continental billion silvers. I have just 3 weeks to the start of the season to move them along and just take them out of the pot, give them a good pick under my high powered scope, change the 'mix', pop them back into the pot and start cooking again. I replaced the original coffee machines I used with a proper temperature controllable hot plate that does the same job.
Chariot racing and our 4thC Roman gold ring on display
Some of our Celtic gold and silver coin hoards on display
Some of finds on display like the Saxon gold dagger pommel and part of our Saxon gold coin hoard
Mass Bruce's axe hoard display Cal Jim came to see me yesterday with his kids as he has been touring Ireland and England with his parents. We decided to hit the new re vamped Colchester museum together and man what a great day we had. There are so many interactive hands on bits for the kids and they even had a chariot race and built a Norman arch out of light plastic blocks. We saw a load of our previous finds in the museum including Celtic gold hoards, Bruce's axe head hoard, Saxon gold dagger pommel, 4thC Roman gold ring and part of our Saxon gold coin hoard. They even had all our 17thC silver Charles II buttons on display. They need a bigger museum to display all our stuff and several of the Roman silver hoards were not featured yet. I also did not see our Medieval gold statue but there is only just so many spaces in the cabinets. If you fancy a really good day out then pay the museum a visit, the kids even had neat interactive Ipad devices to carry around with them.
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31st July 2014 Back from the USA - big wad of export licenses - Double free trip winners announced
It is now exactly a month to the kick off for season 2014/15 Just arrived back yesterday from a great trip to Nevada and met up with a couple of the guys and had a lot of fun. I am catching up on all the e-mails and have updated all of the 'win a free trip' competition entries on the Forum Comp page. Check that all your entries and bonus guesses are correctly there by clicking on the link. Before I went on my trip I manage to finish all the export license applications and arrived back to two huge wads of approved licenses on the mat. I have posted a long list of names on the members forum, check it out to see if yours is back yet. Can Drew and NH Dave have tied for last season's competition to guess the number of ancient coins found with equal couple of numbers off the actual amount. To make it fair both now win a half price weeks free trip next season. The members are currently voting for their favourite 'pouch of the year' and I have extended the final voting date to mid August to give guys a chance while I was away. Currently 27 members have voted and two pouches are clearly in the lead. Check out all the pouches that are posted on the forum with full finds list and individual photo's to make your own person selection.
18thC possible 1.25 carat 'Mine cut' diamond gold ring - disclaimed as post 1714 by the British Museum 4.17g, 17.64 mm dia Turns out to be a 1.5 carat real diamond !!!! I heard great news while I was away on holiday about the monster 1.5 carat gold ring Texas Rob found in Sept 2013. He was booked again for Sept 2014 but unfortunately passed away unexpectedly before he could take possession of it. His widow Linda contacted me after the British museum disclaimed it as post 1714 I had a full written valuation completed by an expert local jeweler. His written valuation is £5000 re make value and a retail of £8000. The diamond is 1.5 carat and the gold is 22 carat, dating it to the Georgian period. I had sent off a copy of the valuation to the finders widow and landowner so they could discuss and decide on the agreed split and who wants to own it. Linda made a realistic offer to the landowner which he agreed to and so Rob's last find will now be repatriated to her. Great end to the story and man what a great find.
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12th July 2014 Big wad of approved export licenses - yet more exports and missed finds - New club bus is here I have archived Feb 2013 to Oct 2013 of this page to speed up load times, links to all old news at bottom of page.
Watch you fav detecting vid's on the way to the fields !! I picked up the new long wheel base Merc V6 3ltr club bus last week and it is performing amazingly. It is spec'd up to the armpits with every safety feature, real neat options like electric side doors, front and rear blue tooth HD DVD players so you can watch your fav detecting video going to the fields !! . It has full Sat Nav, reversing camera, voice activated controls etc and I am ploughing my way through the huge user manual at the moment. Only just realised how good revolving captains chairs are at the front for the co pilot when you want to chat to the guys in the rear while driving along. The Brabus X version comes with full leather interior, very smart mag wheels and a special front spoiler. I need to get some water proof seat covers before the start of the season.
New club bus
Dovedale Roman and Iron Age coins found after 2,000 years
A big pack of 20 + approved export licenses arrived in the post yesterday morning and a list of names is posted onto the members forum. Indicate please if you want them posted or pick up next trip.
Late Saxon 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 found
Early cast brass thimble - 'Light duty thimble' - 1350 -1450 AD
17thC Stag's Head drinking vessel handle During the off season, while the crops are too high, I sit here entombed in my study with lots of coffee and smokes just processing export license applications which is long old process. No find can leave the UK that is over 50 years old without it being photographed and listed on a word document. It is a real value add to the hunts as I get to review every piece of metal found here while the hunts are underway. Some of the obscure widgets, like the rare fragment of a Saxon stirrup mount above, guys just chuck into their export bag as they are too busy looking at the obvious gold and shiny finds. A typical example below is what looked like a crusty lump is in fact a 2nd C Roman silver coin that I 'cook' to remove the crust. It was in with a guys bag of 18th/20th C coppers as was the very crisp Roman bronze Mark Lehman has just ID'd. I particularly like the pointy topped early 'light duty' thimble as it is the first one of that type I have seen dug. I have posted more missed finds to 2014 March finds page 2 Up dated the Forum Competition page with latest count. I still have half a dozen or so export pouches to process then it will be up to all the members to vote for their favourite pouch of the year, winner get the club trophy and his name on the shield of honour.
2ndC Roman silver coin - cooking to remove horn silver crust (JC)
Nice condition larger than average 4thC Roman 22.04mm dia, 3.91g - sent for ID
You're undoubtedly familiar with the "fallen horseman" type of FEL TEMP REPARATIO Majorinas (they used to be called Centenionales) with a reverse showing a soldier advancing to the left and spearing an unfortunate horseman on the ground. This is possibly the single most common type of coin surviving from antiquity (although the GLORIA EXERCITVS soldiers and standard(s) is a strong contender for this title as well.) The vast majority of FEL TEMP REPARATIO pieces you'll see are the smaller "Æ3"-module with the fallen horseman and were issued in the name of Constantius II. However, in 348 when the Centenionales (see Gloria Ex above - these had been introduced by Constantine 30 years previous to replace the shrinking Follis) were discontinued and the new system of Majorinae and halves was introduced, there were two emperors. Both Constantius II and Constans had survived the chaos which followed the death of Constantine the Great in 337 - Constantine II died in battle in 340. When the FEL TEMP REPARATIO Majorinae were introduced, not only were they struck in the names of both Constans and Constantius II, but in addition to the fallen horsman type, there were originally a fairly broad variety of other reverse types for the new Majorinae: a CONCORDIA MILITVM with emperor holding 2 standards; Fel Temps which showed Emperor with 1 or 2 captives; or with a soldier or the emperor leading a youth from hut under tree ["Hut type"]; the emperor on horseback spearing captives on the ground; the emperor standing holding Victory and a labarum, captive on the ground; and one that is among my favorites as an example of how Roman symbolism approaches the ability to be read like a rebus on some coins - the emperor standing left in prow, holding either a phoenix or Victory on globe and a labarum - on the right, Victory sits at the helm of the galley, holding the steering oar. It is this last type that we've got here - and this one is in the name of Constans rather than Constantius. Unfortunately, in its current uncleaned condition I won't be able to tell you all the details - for example I can't tell if Constans is holding a phoenix or a Victory - and I can't make out the mintmark, although it is obvious that it's boldly struck. If you still have the coin in hand and can do a little brass brush work or otherwise clean-up the reverse a little and take another photograph, I might be able to tell you more, but I can date this coin pretty tightly - Constans died in 350 - so these were issued in his name for a little less than 2 years, between 348 & 350. So this is a Constans Billon Majorina (originally silvered - although it is extremely unusual for the silvering to survive on these) from the earliest part of the FEL TEMP REPARATIO series of reverses and is called either a "Galley phoenix" or a "Galley Victory" depending on what Constans is holding in his right hand. The mintmark should become legible fairly easily, too. I suspect now that I have examined the photo a second time that it will turn out be a Rome mint mark "R - [symbol?] - officina letter" (looks like Q for the fourth officina) in the exergue. Mark |
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5th July 2014 More exports and 1.5 carat diamond ring value in - Ill Tim wins find of the year Interesting story link below Detector strikes gold at site of lost village near Tiverton
Bronze Age Tress Ring C1000BC Lock-RingsOrnaments, whose function is unknown, made from gold plates in triangular cross-section and secured by a binding strip, resulting in a hollow ring. The face plates can be decorated with repoussé decoration or with fine concentric incised lines imitating fine wire works. More rarely, lock-rings are made from face plates obtained from individual gold wires soldered together. References
Complete unit at the British museum
Stunning pair of solid gold 1300 BC armlet rings - reported to museum as treasure 7.06g, 9.25mm W x 11..45mm dia
Circa 16thC decorated silver thimble - Inscription + FARE GOD -(FEAR GOD) 5.33G, 26mm H
Ill Tim's 1300 BC gold Tress ring wins this years 'find of the year' by popular vote from all the club members. "2nd place with only 7 votes behind was MD Ron's 1300 BC double gold armlets rings with Fl Robs stonking Tudor 'castle' type silver thimble an honourable 3rd place . Tim get the free weeks trip next year as a the prize, the engraved silver Urn trophy and his name of the clubs shield of honour.
18thC possible 1.25 carat 'Mine cut' diamond gold ring - disclaimed as post 1714 by the British Museum 4.17g, 17.64 mm dia Turns out to be a 1.5 carat real diamond !!!! I took Texas Rob's disclaimed gold ring find to our goldsmith to finally get a written valuation for the finder and landowner and to see if that huge stone was in fact a diamond. Our jewelers eyes popped out when he saw the stone and he instantly knew it was a diamond. He showed me how you must only use a 10x eye piece to spot the inclusions in the diamond. There is a small black flick which is carbon in the centre of the diamond. His written valuation is £5000 re make value and a retail of £8000. The diamond is 1.5 carat and the gold is 22 carat. Date is post 1714 so Georgian in period. I have sent off a copy of the valuation to the finder and landowner so they can decide on the agreed split and who wants to own it. What an amazing find. Meanwhile I am still banging away preparing export license applications and posting more missed finds to the last hunt page 2014 March finds page 2. Col John had a totally crispy Roman silver coin in his pouch I just posted today and then put it straight into the 'cooker' to remove the horn silver crust. Up dated the Forum Competition page with latest count.
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26th June 2014 More exports and missed finds - diamond ring evaluation
Huge 1816 George III milled silver half crown (30 pence)
Georgian seal matrix Still just banging away processing guys export pouches and applying for export licenses. I have posted a load more full finds list and pictures to the members forum. There were a number of great finds in the export pouches that were missed while the hunts were in full swing like this monster George III half crown above in Virg Buddy's pouch. It was Buddy's first trip here so he might have though in it's tarnished state it was a huge copper !! He also had a really neat Georgian seal matrix I never saw. I have just got back the ID of his Roman silver coin find from Mark Lehman as it was missed while the hunts were taking place. I have posted more missed finds to the bottom of the latest finds page 2014 March finds page 2.
1582-3 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver half groat – Bell mint mark Up dated the Forum Competition page with latest count.
Frankly, I don't remember seeing this one, but who knows whether that was a glitch in e-mail delivery or in my memory. This is a Denarius of Hadrian - 117-138 AD. You might have heard of him - I understand he built a wall of some sort in your vicinity. Mark
18thC possible 1.25 carat 'Mine cut' diamond gold ring - disclaimed as post 1714 by the British Museum 4.17g, 17.64 mm dia I have taken Texas Rob's disclaimed gold ring into our goldsmith for a professional written evaluation of the stone and it's value to send a copy to both the finder and landowner. I can't wait to see if this is a real diamond or just a rock crystal.
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13th June 2014 More exports - FOTY is very close - new Mercedes club bus
UK: Archaeologists Discover Tomb of Round Table Knight - See more at: http://worldnewsdailyreport.com/uk-archaeologists-discover-tomb-of-round-table-knight/ I have been updating both the Forum comp results as I process more export pouches and the latest comp to win a free trip next season. Forum Competition page. I have reported more missed treasures to the museum found in the guys pouches as I apply for export license. Check out the members forum for more full finds list and pictures of guys pouches. Keep your votes coming for you find of the year as the top two finds are very closing and it will be down to the wire when voting closes.
Saw this book while at the Museum and had to order one up as it is very comprehensive at ID'ing the spurs and bits. It just arrived, can't have enough ref books
I have just got a full refund on Monday for the clubs new Ford Transit custom mini bus that was bought in February. It was a total disaster of a vehicle and spent the last 14 weeks both in the dealers and Fords own research facility with every fault possible on a vehicle, Ford cannot fix it until Oct 2014 ?? . I demanded my money back and have now purchased a new V6 Mercedes Sport X for the start of the season that has every safety optional extra fitted. Hope fully it will arrive next week and it cannot be worse than that last Ford. Meanwhile it is back to processing more export pouches.
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30th May 2014 More exports and updates
16thc Tudor gilded silver jewelry link - reported as treasure to museum Just busy banging away behind the scenes preparing export license applications and finding some nice missed relics and treasures in the guys pouches while the hunts were underway. I have reported the tiny detailed 16thC Tudor jewelry item above and photo'd it with new my new scaled light mat to show size in mm's. Mitch Chris had a real crusty Roman silver in his pouch that I have started 'cooking' to remove the crust. I have posted more missed finds to the latest finds page 2014 March finds page 2. Up dated the Forum Competition page with latest count.
2ndC Roman silver - cooking to remove crust
1737 George II milled silver sixpence Updated more of the individual pages with finds from the 2nd half of the season below.
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21st May 2014 More monster export pouches posted - more updates
Jersey hoard is 'world's largest' Celtic coin discovery - 70,000 coins - story on links below http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-22846664 I have posted a load more full export pouches with finds list and photo's to the members forum. I have posted a couple of the monster pouches to the 'Monster Pouch section' of the forum that are real 'Pouch of the Year ' contenders, check them out here. I have also been updating a load more pages on the site with finds from the 2nd half of the season below and our first ever Henry 1st hammered silver find. When I have more time I need to split the early hammered pages by individual Kings to reduce the size of the pages.
I have a meeting with the museum this week to drop off the last of the treasures and hoards the guys found and to pick up several disclaimed items including that huge gold and diamond ring that is dated as 18thC and therefore not before the 1714 threshold for treasure. Up dated the Forum Competition page with latest count. Posted a few more missed export pouch finds to the bottom of the latest finds page March 2 finds
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13th May 2014 More updates and new gold jewelry page
I am still just banging preparing the export license applications for the 2nd half of the season and posted the full photo's and finds lists onto the members forum. I have also started cleaning up the current jewelry page which is massive and needs dividing in to gold, silver and bronze pages. I have completed the gold page with most of the British museum curators reports on the items added. I am working on the silver page next. Up dated the Forum Competition page with latest count. I have just received 2 more disclaimed treasure e-mails from the British museum on the silver relics below including the curator's write up on Sal's annual brooch. After applying for an export licence the guys get to take them home now.
Treasure Case: 2013 T687
Date of Discovery: 25th October 2013 Circumstances of discovery: Whilst searching with a metal detector on an organised holiday Date: Medieval, 1200-1350 AD. Description: Silver annular brooch dating from the 13th to early 14th centuries. The frame is circular in section enclosed by four, evenly spaced rounded knops. The frame is decorated with small and parallel laterally incised lines. The brooch has suffered some damage and is now distorted from its original annular shape. The edges of the frame bear some wear and surface loss and the pin is missing. Several similar examples have been recorded through the Treasure process on the PAS database (e.g. LANCUM-C7F845 / 2013 T812, NMS-ADAAF6 / 2013 T189 and NMS-19C764 / 2009 T55). Egan and Pritchard (2002, fig. 163) illustrates similar brooches, e.g. nos. 1330 and 1333. Bibliography: Egan, G. and Pritchard, F., 2002. Dress Accessories 1150-1450: Medieval finds from excavations in London (4th edition) London : The Stationary Office.
2013 T688, Post-Medieval silver finger-ring 16thC gilded silver religious ring
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6th May 2014 More updates and exports - Find of the year voting
Complete unit at the British museum
Stunning pair of solid gold 1300 BC armlet rings - reported to museum as treasure 7.06g, 9.25mm W x 11..45mm dia
I am busy preparing the export license applications for the 2nd half of the season and posted the full photo's and finds lists onto the members forum. I have just posted MD Ron's quad gold pouch which has to a real 'pouch of the year' contender as voted for by members. He got those amazing double 1300 BC gold rings, two further gold ring and his first ever gold coin. I have also created a new Bronze Age gold page for the 1300 -1000 BC gold finds as they deserve their own page on the site. The voting for 'find of the year' is going well with a three horse race at the moment and only a couple of votes separating the top three choices. I have been updating this year free forum competition page with the latest guesses and also updating the current competition as i count the export pouches to win a free trip next season,
Make sure your vote for your favourite find of the year and send me your guess to win the free weeks trip. Both competition closes on the 1st August.
Just invested in a new light well fitting with a cm scale eteched onto the screen which will be brilliant to show dimensions on larger relics when I take photo's. I tried it out on a couple of buckles and results are very good.
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26th April 2014 Multiple page updates Load more individual page updates below with finds from the 2nd half of the season added.
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25th April 2014 - More updates and free forum comp launched I have launched this years free forum competition to win a free trip next season 2014/15 . Check the Forum Competition page for details of how to enter and a log of your guess. Still busy updating the individual find pages belwo with finds from the 2nd half of the season below.
I have also created a new page dividing the existing seal matrix page into medieval and post medieval seals as it was a monster size.
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20th April 2014 - Updates and exports - rare Henry ID
Rare 1100 AD Henry 1st hammered silver penny - Quadrilateral on cross fleury type This above coin of Brian's was covered with a thick crust until I cooked it. I thought it was a Continental jobbie but Ohio Drew has ID'd it spot on. I never knew any Henry 1st coin had this type of back design on a coin. It is a very rare penny in the Spinks ref book and it has a huge crack down the middle so I could not cook it too much. The off season is my busiest time preparing all the export licence applications and updating the site individual pages with finds from the 2nd half of the season. Simple pages like clog fasteners are fascinating when you see all the diverse designs together on just one page. I also need to arrange a meeting with the museum to take along the latest treasures and hoards found during the 2nd half to get the treasure process underway. All treasures/hoards are reported to the museum the day they are made and a record kept on the Treasure and hoard page.
I have made a start updating the site and finished our stunning Celtic gold page and a few more below. Some of these pages are massive and need splitting into types/date periods like the seal matrix page.
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14th April 2014 - Season ends with more gold - club records smashed - Find of the year voting time
18thC possible 1.25 carat 'Mine cut' diamond gold ring - reported as potential treasure 4.17g, 17.64 mm dia
I received some very sad news today that Texas Rob, who was a 10 year long serving senior member with the club, has passed away suddenly. He will be really missed by all that knew him and he was due here again in Sept for another hunt. Rob found that amazing diamond ring above last Sept that is currently going through the treasure process. If it is eventually disclaimed then it would be really nice to get it returned to his widow.
Double skinned Victorian gold ring - Chester hall mark 18 carat - Date letter 'F' 1889 Inscription - 'Alie July 5 1894'
Stunningly crisp 13thC lead vessica seal matrix S'ALICIE ALDWINE Seal of Alicie Aldwine What an amazing end to the 2013/14 season with a final piece of gold found by Aussie Peter and then his wife Lynn finds the crispest medieval lead vessica seal I have seen. The gold record held by the club last season was 56 pieces but this years the members have completely smashed it by finding 71 pieces. Updated this years Gold page. The final guys left Saturday and they still have load of great finds in their pouches I have not photo's yet to add to the latest finds page March 2 finds.
It is now time for the members to vote for their favourite find of the year and 'pouch' of the year from Sept 2013 to April 2014. The winners get a free trip next season and the silver engraved urn and their name on the shield of honour. Other awards and prizes for the season are listed below. A brand new award for this season is a cup and individual medallions for the 'best club team' of the year. I will be launching a new free forum comp to win another free trip next season. I will have to complete all the export pouches before I can announce the winner of this years competition. Free forum comp page Nova Scotia Greg award for 'dedicated detectorist' of the year Free weeks holiday and Silver Urn for 'find of the year'winner. 'Prolific coin finder' award and Tankard Wayne Otto Memorial cup for the detectorist with the 'best attributes' during the season Forum competition - - free weeks detecting prize 'Pouch of the year' - award and cup Team cup and medallions - best club team of the season Prize raffle draws run by a Senior members - free detecting trip Hard core club medallions Watch the latest drawing of the raffle video held at Dedham Pub in March where Ill John won the free trip next season https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHbhsZxh3Ko
2nd C Roman silver coin - cooking to remove crust
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9th April 2014 - 11,000 BC find and out first complete dagger found
Just posted a load more great hammered and milled silver coins and relics to the latest finds page March 2 finds. Min Mindy is on fire the last couple of days and found another 850 BC Bronze Age axe head fragment then eyeballed her 4th stunning 11,000 BC stone age axe head. On the same field she dug our first ever complete dagger with blade which turns out to be a scarce WWII commando Wilkinson sword example.
I have reported two more silver button treasures to the museum and updated the hoard and treasure page with all the latest reported finds.
Stunning 11,000 BC Stone Age flint axe head 1300 mm L x 50mm wide
850 BC Bronze Age socketed axe head
Complete WWII Commando dagger - what a neat find - 2600 mm L Scarce Wilkinson Sword Company First Pattern Fairbairn-Sykes Commando DaggerFitted with the early style "wavy" brass cross guard and a knurled brass hilt
Medieval gilded silver finger ring - reported as treasure to museum
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6th April 2014 - 70th gold of the season - more stunning treasures found Malta Joe popped a stunning mint gold Tudor ring and then Boston Mike found the top of an early ring with green stone to take the gold total for the season to a massive 70 pieces. The guys have gone crazy smashing last season record of 56 pieces by miles now. Both pieces have been reported to the museum as treasure. I still have another silver ring treasure to photo yet and report. Updated this years Gold page Mike also found a decorated fibular brooch that does not appear in my triple volumes of Hattatt ref books. It will be interesting to see what the museum make of it as it cross hatching would have held enamel. Org Stuart found a really unusual small hammered silver coin with a bust I had not seen before. Ohio Drew on the member's forum ID'd it correctly as a silver penny of Floris V, Count of Holland (1256-1296), minted in Dordrecht c.1285-1296, our first. One of our landowners brought out his monster Edward III gold noble find that his son found in his back garden to show the guys one lunchtime. Min Mindy snapped it with her phone and that coin certainly got the guys juices flowing as it is totally mint!! We have found the smaller versions of this coin but not a monster like this one. Edward III gold coins I have uploaded dozens more great finds to the latest finds page including more crispy Roman silvers March 2 finds
Farmers 'monster' back garden find
Stunning 16thC Tudor gilded silver ring - reported as treasure to museum 23.18mm, 8.25g
Continental hammered silver coin - ID'd by Ohio Drew below Obv *** OYIES hOMIAIM + Rev ETA/NOR/DC ***** Silver penny of Floris V, Count of Holland (1256-1296), minted in Dordrecht c.1285-1296, modelled on the pennies of the British Isles with the profile bust on the reverse remodelled on those of Scotland and the long cross on the reverse on those of England. Grierson (1991) illustrates a very similar example of a later style of penny with a more refined bust of Floris V, minted in Dordrecht, dating from c.1285-96, on page 121, Fig.276.
Construction looks late medieval c 1500 AD- gold ring top with green stone - reported as treasure to museum 0.26g
circa 1st to 6th C - Most unusual fibular brooch I have seen dug - no classification in Hattatt's ref books. Front panels would have been enamelled. One for the museum experts
Very neat Georgian triple sided seal matrix 'FORGET ME NOT'
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1st April 2014 - Excessively rare Celtic silver find and lots more gold
Ancient gold ingot - 1.36g, 14.74mm Gold coin blank ? reported to museum as potential treasure The new team have started with a bang and already found 3 more gold finds and an excessively rare Celtic silver coin. Boston Mike has found our first ever 'head' style Cunobelin silver unit and is classed as excessively rare in the latest Chris Rudd reference book. Can Ron then found the best looking 50 BC Cantii tribe qtr gold I have seen dug and again very rare only 10 other examples of this coin exist. Meanwhile Org Mary found a neat 1891 Victorian gold locket that has the rarer Chester hall mark followed by Virginia Buddy popped his first ever gold coin after 28 tears detecting, neat old bust Victoria gold half sovereign. I have uploaded more great finds to the latest finds page March 2 finds Updated this years Gold page that now stands at a ridiculous total of 69 pieces.
Very rare 10 -40 AD Cunobelinus Celtic silver unit - Leaping griffin type Laureate bust r.CVNOBEL in front IINVS behind./ Griffin springing I, CAMV on ex.line. Ref ABC 2909 Classed as excessively rare 'cooking' to remove crust Cantii.
50 BC Uninscribed 'P' gold - 'Trophy' Type - 1/4 Celtic gold coin - 1.38g, 11.99mm Beaded trophy quarter, ABC 2243, BMC 435, not in VA. Extremely rare, 10 others known. An interesting Essex type because of its Kentish associations (derived from the Kentish trophy issue but a separate type), it may have been struck by an otherwise unknown offshoot of the Cantii.
1891 Gold locket - Chester hall mark, maker JS - Possibly John Sutter of Liverpool 2.52g
1897 Victorian milled gold half sovereign
1485-1509 Henry VII hammered silver half groat - Episcopal issue - King and Bishop jointly, Initial mark Tun, arched crown, plain reverse cross. Ornamental terminal Obv + hENRIC DI GRA REX ANGLIE Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR - Canterbury mint
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30th March 2014 - Final team of the season - more great Bronze Age finds and triple gold's to end the hunt
This coin has a totally new die type from any in Wren ref book, it could be a double strike as the R is at 6 o'clock on Obv 1247 Henry III hammered silver voided long cross half penny Obv hENRICVS REX Rev NIC/OLE /ONC/ANT - Moneyer Nicole of Canterbury mint
70BC Morini Celtic gold 'boat tree' qtr stater - reported to museum as hoard 1.49g, 9.97mm (E)
70BC Morini Celtic gold 'boat tree' qtr stater - reported to museum as hoard 1.46g, 11.06mm (J) The guys just flew back to sunny NA and the final team of the season arrived for a two week stint. They finished on real high with two more stonking Morini Celtic gold coins to add to the 'pot' they discovered, they have been reported to the museum as hoard. It was Bav Jeff's 2nd of the trip and Org Eric's first ever gold coin, the team found a total of 7 Celtic gold coins. The guys also found more amazing early Bronze age relics, Ill Mike's 850 BC Bronze Age axe head was found near the Roman hoard we reported last week. Then Bav Jeff found another one off new land yesterday and our first ever Bronze Age find from that area. One of the guys reported to me that he has also found an ancient gold ingot that I have not had time to photo yet, sounds very interesting. I have posted a load more great finds to the latest finds page including some great Royal Navy and Regimental military buttons. March 2 finds Updated this years Gold page that now stands at a staggering total of 65 pieces, not added the gold nugget yet. Dr Martin Allen has ID'd and recorded the latest Saxon silver coin find and it is our first Cnut, dates to circa 1016 AD. Mark Lehman has added several Roman coin ID's to the March 2 finds page. This is Cnut Short Cross type, London, uncertain moneyer, EMC 2014.0102
Middle Bronze age 850 BC socketed bronze axe head
Middle Bronze age 850 BC socketed bronze axe head
Medieval thimble
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26th March 2014 - New Saxon silver hoard reported and more Celtic gold
Saxon silver penny sent to Fitzwilliam for recording and ID - reported as hoard to museum Bav Jeff has found another Saxon silver penny fragment near the one he found a couple of days ago, hammered silver Saxon period pennies are rarer than hens teeth so this is a brilliant find. These have both been reported to the museum as potential hoard, Dr Martin at the Fitzwilliam museum has recorded and ID'd the first one below. This is Edgar, Edward the Martyr or Æthelred II First Small Cross. I have recorded it as EMC 2014.0097.
70BC Morini Celtic gold qtr stater reported to museum as hoard 1.45g, 10.38mm
Replica woad grinder use
1st BC to 1stC AD Celtic cosmetic woad grinder - 64mm L A boat shaped base element of a wood/cosmetic grinding set- end suspension loop These objects are essentially Celtic in form. During the Celtic period in Britain, a biennial herb "Isatis Tinctoria" was cultivated for the blue dye that could be obtained from it by crushing. The plant is more commonly known as woad. The ancient Britons painted their bodies with the dye which was obtained by grinding parts of the plant between a pestle (missing here) and the mortar.
Ill Tim has become the top hoard finder in the club with the 6th hoard he has been part of. He added another crisp Morini Celtic gold qtr coin above to his hoard total. He reckons his success it is down to good 'bottom feeding' !! Updated this years Gold page that now stands at a staggering total of 63 pieces smashing last years record of 56 by miles and we still have two and a half weeks of the season to run yet. There has been more stunning finds like Ill Tom's woad grinder , Ill Joe's unbroken seal ring and early milled silver, I have posted a load more great finds to the new March 2 finds page including more crusty Roman silver coins. Mark Lehman has made a best guess at their ID's before they go into the cooker.
15thC seal ring 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 . The letter suggests it stood for the owners forename. This example was used in 1424 by Edward Saddler, clerk
1679 Charles II milled silver half groat (2 pence)
2ndC Roman silver coin sent for ID
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24th March 2014 - New Roman hoard reported and great Saxon finds
Saxon hammered silver penny - sent to Fitzwilliam museum for recording and ID The current March finds page was too huge so I have created a new March 2 finds page to speed up load times. I have uploaded so many great hammered silver and relics it is difficult to pick a favourite. Bav Jeff found our first Saxon silver penny of 2014 with a clipped example, I have sent off to the Fitzwilliam museum for recording and Dr Martin's skill at ID'ing this coin. Jeff also popped a Saxon zoomorphic strap end as did Chicago Ron that I have posted to the new finds page. The guys also found a new Roman hoard with 15 Roman bronzes and only a single silver that I have reported to the museum as potential hoard. Most of the Romans are in pretty rough condition but the odd one I sent to Mark Lehman for ID as that gives us a clue to the date of the hoard. The Roman silver is very crusty so I cannot 'cook' to remove the crust as it as it has to go to the museum in as dug condition. Mark has had a stab at the ID and I have posted the rest of the coins onto the new March 2 finds page. I have so many great finds to post yet including more Roman silver, Celtic wode grinder and a complete medieval seal ring plus lots more hammered silver coins.
c10thC Saxon zoomorphic cord/strap end
2ndC Roman silver coin sent for ID - cooking to remove crust
Huge AD1 to AD 200 Roman concave bronze bucket handle mount 74mm high
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20th March - Monster gold finds and loads more treasures
Total monster find - 1stC BC to 1stC AD Romano/British gold wire jewelry item - possibly a annular type brooch - reported to museum as treasure Complete with diamond shaped end knops 3.12g,27.07mm long The guys have completely smashed last years record gold total by banging it what could one of our most important discoveries. Updated this years Gold page with 58 pieces now. last years record was set at 56. They had already found another Celtic gold hoard with two mint 70BC Morini tribe Celtic gold qtrs then Ill Tim found the monster which appears to be Romano/ British jewelry item. It also has a construction that reminds me of the two 1300 BC gold rings I reported to the museum recently. As a guess I would say Celtic. Museum quick feedback this morning is it is Bronze Age circa 1000 BC !!
Ill John and Bav Terry popped these two mint Celtic gold qtrs above that I have reported to the CCI for recording and the museum as a hoard. Both these guys found two Celtic gold coins each last season that are currently with the British museum going through the treasure process. Mass Mike found a very interesting Tudor gold item below that had sectioned enamelled petals and an end that appears to be an ear wax scraper. Is it just a very expensive scraper ? It will be very interesting to read the museum curators report on this item. Can Victor also found another silver 17thC silver Charles II marriage celebration button but this one is completely different from any we have found with a Tudor rose and thistle motif. I have updated the hoard and treasure page with more reported treasures. Treasure and hoard page. Meanwhile the guys have been finding some really nice hammered and milled silver coins and amazing relics that I have posted to the 2014 March finds page.
16thC enamelled sectioned gilded silver top and solid gold decorated pendant- reported as treasure to museum Is it a fancy eye wax scraper by the bowl shaped end ?? 0.84g, 19.36mm L
First 17thC silver button of this type I have seen with rose and thistle commemorating the marriage of Charles II - reported as treasure to museum
1687 James II milled silver one pence
Rare English jetton, 1345/55 Late pictorial issues of the mid century : This type with the obverse as a rose is not in Mitchiner but could be a mule with Mitchiner 186 Obv Barbed rose 5 petals, border fictitious legend Rev Long cross patonace , 6 pellet clusters in each angle, border pellets Ref Mitchiner 245
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16th March - More Awards, treasures and two more stonking gold finds The guys are on fire at the moment on new land and Kansas Greg popped another very usual Celtic gold qtr, his first and not one I instantly recognise. It reminds me of a Kentish tribe which will be a first for us from this area, sent to John Sills at the CCI for his views. Chicago Ron then popped a mint fully inscribed gold posy circa 17th/18thC. I cannot find the maker in the ref books to kind of date it and it also has no hall marks. I reported it to the museum as treasure so their experts can take a look. Meanwhile Arizona Scott just fresh off the boat found a mint medieval hammered half penny so he was pleased. While I photographing it today I noticed it was the first annulet mint mark on a coin I have ever seen found. I remembered them from Whithers books and it turn out to be a rare 1471-2 Edward IV half penny. It was on the light well with the Celtic qtr so I took a picture of them together below so you can see the relative sizes. Louisiana Sal's boys left Saturday and I did more presentations of our clubs yearly awards before they left. Miss Brandon received his 'Hard Core' engraved medallion for another guy out all day in the festering blizzards of Feb 2013. Brandon then reciprocated and presented Sal with the 'Wayne Otto' yearly memorial cup for the member with the 'best attributes' during last season. It is not about just coming here and swinging a coil but do you go above and beyond the 'norm' to promote the club and be an ambassador of the hobby of metal detecting. Sal is always out there helping guys with settings and digging and recovery techniques and even spent time with a newbie group last week making a huge difference to their find rates. He is probably the only guy I know running an honest civil war hunt in the USA for our members to enjoy and is always just a phone call away for advice and help . Thoroughly deserved award. He was also rewarded with another amazing find late into his hunt with what appears to be a late medieval ring top of a madonna bust. I have reported it as treasure so it will be fascinating what the museum experts at the BM make of it. I have posted a load more great hammered silver and relics to the latest finds page More great silver posted to 2014 March finds page. Updated this years Gold page. Total now is 54
Tiny late medieval gilded silver ring top - Madonna bust ?? Reported as treasure to museum 9.86mm dia , 1.24g
17th/18thC gold posy ring - reported as treasure to museum 'TRUE TO THEE ILE EVER BE' 19.25mm dia, 3.69g Maker AW (Old English Script) No hall marks
Very interesting Celtic gold qtr gold stater - sent to CCI for ID and recording Reminds me of a 50BC North Thames type 1.54g, 13.51mm dia
Size comparison between a Celtic qtr and a medieval half penny
Rare find - our first ever annulet mint mark I have seen on a coin found here 1471-2 Edward IV hammered silver half penny - im annulet - Type 2h Obv EDWARD DI REX AN Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON- London mint 0.33g, 12.87mm
Brandon (left) receiving and giving awards from Louisiana Sal
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14th March - More Celtic gold and great silver - Triple award time - CCI's issued
More great silver posted to 2014 March finds page.
Bav Terry left gets triple awards , Ill John (centre) and Mass Mike to the right receiving their club awards from Chicago Ron Last year in festering blizzard conditions some of Ron's Barn team still stayed out all day and on that hunt it paid off big time as they found and reported 3 new Celtic gold hoards and a 5thC Roman silver coin hoard that are currently with the British museum about to go to a coroners inquest. This season we have added another load of coins as addendum to these hoards which they discovered. The same guys have now returned and been rewarded this season, not only for their dedicated or crazy addiction by 18C temperatures but also the Colchester Club gold 'Hard Core ' engraved medallions presented by Ron. Bavaria Terry also got the top 'coin hunter' award of the club and the membership voted for his monster exports finds pouch as the top 'Pouch of the year'. Terry had a seriously great hunt last March and his name now go on the club shield of honour. Big congrats. NH Scott has been coming here 5 years and his hunting buddies Mass Bruce and Mass Mike have both popped Celtic gold coin right next to him so it was his time this trip to pop a beauty Cunobelin qrt cold stater with Mike by his side. I have sent it off to John Sill at the CCI for recording. John has sent the CCI numbers for the last two gold Celtic I sent him below. The Gallo-Belgic D 'boat type' quarter you sent through is CCI 14.0529 and the Gallo-Belgic E 'Gallic War uniface' stater from *** is 14.0530. The quarter is a standard Scheers class 3 issue from around 57-55 BC and the stater is Scheers class 2, which is defined by a solid exergual line below the horse and a row of arcs below, struck around 57-56 BC, in other words early in the Gallic Wars. It's a fairly common type, when I last wrote about them in 2005 there were 571 in the Index! John Sills I have posted a load more great silver and relics to the latest finds page including two jetton 'firsts' for us below, 1418- 1437 Charles VII Paschal lamb type jetton, Bourges and a William and Mary jetton. I was not even aware we made jettons that late in the day at 1689 period.
10-40 AD Cunobelin qtr gold stater - sent to CCI for recording 1.31g, 11.16mm
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11th March 2014 Double gold finds and 'old boney' finds - 106 BC ID
Napoleon Bonaparte France 1 franc 1812 Utrecht Netherlands - French in occupation 1810 -1813 Designer Pierre Joseph Tiolier Mintage 12,000
Small lead Napoleon figurine The guys are digging it quicker than I can post it at the moment. Oki Jim popped his first ever gold coin then Alberta Dori popped hers as well. The 1733 George II full guinea is one of the rarer milled gold finds and takes the club gold total nearer the record at 51 pieces so far this season. I have posted a another load of great silver and relics to the latest finds page including our first ever 'old boney' silver coin and a lead miniature figurine carried by his troops probably. The prisoners of war from France worked locally here clearing forests and working the land.
1892 Victoria old bust milled gold half sovereign (120 pence)
1733 George II milled gold full guinea love token Mark Lehman has ID'd Sal's Roman republican coin as 106 BC on the 10th March post. Very interesting find and write up from Mark.
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10th March 2014 Mint Celtic gold, great Roman silver and more treasures I have reported 3 more silver treasures to the museum and posted them on the latest finds page 2014 March finds page. Mitch Chris, our senior club researcher, found his first ever Celtic gold and it is a simply stunning strike of 50BC Gallic War uniface stater. Louisiana Sal who is having a fantastic hunt popped the best condition BC Roman republican silver coin I have ever seen dug with very minimal crusting. I have sent it off to Mark Lehman for his views and ID. The guys are making some stunning silver finds including Miss Brandon's smallest milled silver there is, a George 1st one pence, these are rarer finds than a Celtic gold stater. Check out load more silver coins and relics uploaded to the latest finds page 2014 March finds page.
Beautiful strike of a 50 BC Gallo Belgic full Celtic gold stater sent to CCI for recording 16mm,6.28g
Tiny 1723 George 1st milled silver one pence 12mm, 0.49g
One of the best condition c100 BC Roman Republican silvers I have seen dug, minimal cleaning to remove crust. Sent to Mark Lehman for ID - 3.36g, 17.56mm
1427-30 Henry VI hammered silver groat - Rosette Mascle issue- Initial mark incurved pierced cross - rosettes and mascles in obverse legend obv HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGLIE Z FRANCE Rev inner VILLA CASTISIE - Calais mint Rev outer - POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM
3.51g, 27.07mm
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8th March 2014 More stonking relics, gold & 117 BC silver
Very rare early milled find 1687 James II milled four pence I have just posted a load of stunning hammered silver coins and relics to the latest 2014 March finds page. I have over 100 more photo's to upload to this page during the day. Ont Jim ended his hunt with a stunning medieval heraldic pendant below,another 1904 Birmingham 9 carat rose gold ring taking the clubs gold count for the season to 48. He also popped our first ever James II early milled silver four pence above. Italy John made another monster find with a stunning Roman bronze togate statue which is in amazing shape. Mark Lehman has ID'd the Roman republican silver from earlier in the week at 117BC below, real nice old coin. Fl Chuck ended his hunt with a very crisp 2ndC silver example that I have not photo'd yet or sent for ID. Plenty adequate detail to ID it, at least. Cn. Foulvius, M. Calidus & Q. Metellus - 117-116 BC - Helmeted head of Roma right / Victory in biga right, holding wreath; beneath, CNFOVL (CNF & VL ligate), M. CAL • Q. MET (CAL & MET ligate) in exergue. Mark Lehman
Roman veiled bronze standing togate figure - popular throughout the Roman Empire but quit a rare find in Britain 50mm high The small size of the statue, the thin profile of the head and upper body, and the somewhat Augustan or Julio-Claudian traits reflected in the face all indicate that the statue was made, probably as a public or personal votive offering, in a central Italian workshop, such as that which produced the large votive bronzes from Nemi.
Stunning 13thC medieval heraldic harness shield pendant A medieval copper alloy horse harness pendant, shield-shaped, red enamel survives. Gules three owls ?Or/Argent. Possibly for Sir Richard BERMINGHAM, Gules three huits (owles in margin, L) Argent (Papworth 1874, rep. 1985, p. 329). Inscription: Gules three owls ?Or/Argent.
1904 Birmingham 9 carat rose gold ring - Marker AH
1422 -30 Henry VI hammered silver half groat - annulet issue - 2 annulets in 2 quadrants in reverse qtrs. 9 arches to tressure, fleurs on cusps, none over crown. Obv +hENRIC x DI x GRA x REX ANGLIE Z FR Rev CIVI/TAS/LOND/DON - London mint
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6th March 2014 More great silver and BC Roman to 5th Century
1199 John hammered silver short cross penny Class 5b2 Obv hENRICVS REX Rev + NICOLE .ON.EVC - Moneyer Nicole of York mint Louisiana Sal is having another great hunt with a load of very interesting hammered silver coin finds and when he popped the thin 5thC Roman silver he thought he had just another medieval coin as it was bent. He was amazed to see a Roman bust appear when he cleaned it up. The Romans were running out of cash at this late period in their empire and they differ greatly in comparison to the 100 BC Republican period coin Oki Jim popped yesterday. The early Roman silver coins are thick and chunky next to the wafer thin 5thC examples. Sal also popped a huge George III milled half crown near his Roman, the little and large of finds. Our goldsmith did a cracking job at fixing Sal's medieval groat find below. I have posted a load more great hammered silver coins and relics to the latest finds page 2014 March finds page including one of the biggest milled silvers I have seen dug, moth eaten 19thC 5 Peseta at 36mm dia.
Circa 100 BC Roman republican silver sent for ID - needs a 'cook' to reveal more detail
5thC Roman hammered silver coin sent for ID 1.08g, 20mm dia It's obviously Theodosius - you can read his name quite easily. The question remains, though, "which Theodosius?" Theodosius I who was part of what I like to call "The Valentinian Dynasty" reigned during the late 4th century. His dates were 379-395. Then there's Theodosius II from 402-450. This one - VIRTVS ROMANORVM - with Roma seated left holding Victory and spear with mint mark MDPS would be Theodosius I from the Mint of Milan. These are not easily datable to specific years or groups of years - the same type was minted throughout his reign and during several others including that of Theodosius II. Theo II, however, did not strike at Milan - and his coins are far scarcer. The references for your piece are RIC IX 32a and RSC 57b. Mark
Huge 1817 George III milled silver half crown (30 pence)
Fixed by our goldsmith 1504- 7 Henry VII hammered silver groat - two arches unjewelled to crown, Crosslet im Obv hENRIC DI GRA REX ANGLIE Z FR Rev CIVI/TAS/LOND/DON - London mint
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3rd March 2014 Monster find and more gold - new March finds page - Find of the year presentation
Uploaded a load of silver and relics to a new March finds page to speed up load times.2014 March finds page. Updated Treasure and hoard page with latest finds reported to museum. Idaho Gene made a very important find on new land with an Iron Age anthropomorphic bucket mount. There is a record of the bucket handle mount type on the PAS database and only handful have ever been found in Britain. The link is below. Col Chris popped a stunning Victorian 1851 18k gold signet ring to take the gold count for the season up to 47 Updated this years Gold page. I have reported several new treasures to the local museum including the smallest 17thC silver band/ring with a full inscription of the local town on it, inscribed *Layer de la Hayer. in Essex. Ian at the British museum replied 'This is a fairly standard example of a hawking vervel, attached to one of the bird’s jesses'. There are so many really neat relics turning up it it difficult to pick my favourites.
Amazingly rare large 1stC BC to 1st C AD Celtic bronze bucket mount 40mm H, 26.05g Here is an example of a similar one found in 2012 A cast copper alloy anthropomorphic bucket mount, dating to the late Iron Age and of some rarity
15thC cockerel type barrel tap key - Foundry mark O
Stunning 1500-1700 enameled mount
Stunning 1851 Victorian 18 carat gold signet ring - AB Birmingham hall mark, date letter C Maker P.F.J 22mm dia , 7.30g
17thC Tiny silver ring - reported as treasure 10mm dia ,0.72g Inscribed *Layer de la Hayer. in Essex 'This is a fairly standard example of a hawking vervel, attached to one of the bird’s jesses' Ian Richardson at the BM Hawking rings or ‘vervels’ are rare detectorist finds. They were once attached to the leg of a bird of prey as a mark of ownership and those made of silver help in illustrating the development of hawking as an aristocratic pastime in the 17th century. A modern analogy would be a pigeon ring that bears details relating to the owner. If a bird was lost whilst hunting, then it could be identified by the vervel and thus returned to the owner. The tags were often inscribed with the owner’s name, residence or coat of arms – the latter was especially useful as not all the locals would be able to read. Hawking was reputedly the favourite sport of every King of England from Alfred the Great to George III except for James I who spent much of his time training cormorants and ospreys to catch fish. King John’s passion was for crane hawking and he often brought hunting parties to the Test Valley to fly falcons at herons. The herons were ringed before they were re-released and information about their numbers and locations are documented in the Domesday Book. http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2012/07/the-hawking-vervel/
Wash Tom (left) presents Bill with his well deserved award Nev Bill is here on his free trip for winning find of the year 2012/13. Wash Tom presented him with his 'solid silver' engraved urn and his name is now on the club shield of honour.
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1st March 2014 Double gold for Ron - first Crusader coin find- Gene donates Saxon relic I have created a new 2014 March finds page and will start uploading to it shortly. Current finds are still being posted to 2014 Feb finds page.
Jim (left) gets his double awards from Florida Rob Ont 'bird seed' Jim is a long term Senior member that is seriously hard core or insanely addicted. Last year in the blizzard conditions every one ran for cover back to a toasty warm Barn but not Jim, he just put his head down and pounded away. That total dedication to the hobby wins him the very special Colchester club 'solid gold' hard core medallion hanging around his neck In 6 years I cannot ever remember Jim ever stopping hunting, he is like a man processed out there and gets the coveted 'club most dedicated detectorist' cup as well for last season. Well deserved double award for a great guy that just loves the hobby or needs serious therapy M'D Ron continues his reign off terror on the land added his 4th gold find of his trip with a mega crisp 1725 Portuguese milled gold coin and a 26 stone gold ring which i have reported to museum as potential treasure. Ron still has a week to go on his trip and is definitely up as a 'pouch of the year' contender. Can Bill has ID's Fl Rob's interesting hammered copper find below as our first ever Crusader coin, what a great find. I have posted dozens more great finds to the latest 2014 Feb finds page. Updated this years Gold page which now stands at 46 pieces for the season so far Idaho Gene today suggested today he would like to donate his Saxon silver treasure he found this week to the local museum, I have just sent an e-mail to the farmer to see if he is happy to wave his reward as well, generous gesture by Gene.
Interesting early coin - checked my ref books and not a jetton as I first thought - needs more research Can Bill has ID'd this coin and it is the first ever Crusader coin found here 1270 The Mahona, Lorenzo Giustiniani Banca (1483), Denaro, arms of Chios flanked by L and I, rev
1725 Portuguese milled gold coin - 1600 reis 20mm,3,49g
Fascinating gold ring - no hall marks so could be early - 26 diamond/stones and 25 remain - one is loose as in the picture. They look like rough cut diamonds and all are different shapes. 16thC Tudor ?? Under my microscope the settings look very early and I cannot clean it as the stones could dislodge - reported to the museum as treasure
Monster sized 18thC cow bell and size comparison to normal 18thC crotal bells Robert Well I Aldbourne 1760-1780
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27th Feb 2014 More spectacular treasures found
Circa 16thC decorated silver thimble - Inscription + FARE GOD -(FEAR GOD) 5.33G, 26mm H Reported to museum as treasure
circa 8th/9thC Saxon decorated solid silver hooked fastener used on their leg bindings Reported to museum as treasure Discussion: Hooked tags are all-purpose fasteners, used to secure small bags or purses and also clothing. They occur in various forms from the late 8th century onwards, Uploaded some amazing finds and hammered silver to the latest finds page including 3 new silver treasures. 2014 Feb finds page.
17thC Michael Arnold of Colchester Essex hammered copper trade farthing Ref Norweb 1157b Fl Rob found our oldest ever silver thimble with a stunning 16th Tudor version inscribed 'fare god' mis spelling of 'fear God' and the Gene popped only our 2nd ever Saxon silver hook fastener and this one is a decorated version. There have been some stunning 17th trade farthings and coin weights from a new site and I have uploaded a whole range of jettons and some mint early crotal bell finds.
16thC Tudor clothing fastener
1621-3 James 1st hammered silver shilling (12 pence)
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26th Feb 2014 Monster 1300 BC gold ring and stunning relics
$10, million worth of gold coins found in the USA The guys have been making some great 'firsts' for the club on both old and new land. M'D Ron found an absolute stonker with the first pair of 1300 BC bronze age armlet rings off a brand new site we have only had a couple of weeks. They match a single triple banded gold bronze age ring Org Ed found a few years ago that he and the landowner donated to the Colchester museum. Ohio Jerry found our first ever Knotenfibeln type Roman brooch and Ont Jim our first ever not fretwork type Saxon stirrup mount. See the other examples on our Saxon harness fitting page. Florida Chuck found what I first thought was a 1640's civil war siege token but once cleaned looks to be middle eastern castle in origin. If you know what it is please drop me a mail. Wash Jake found what he thought was a qtr cut hammered silver coin but once I cleaned it up noticed it was USA coin. It has been ID'd as a 1/4 cut piece of an 1835 Bust Half Dollar !! I have uploaded a load more hammered silver and relic finds to 2014 Feb finds page Updated this years Gold page which now stands at 44 pieces for the season so far
Complete unit at the British museum
Stunning pair of solid gold 1300 BC armlet rings - reported to museum as treasure 7.06g, 9.25mm W x 11..45mm dia
Initially before I cleaned this token I thought of a 1640's Civil War siege token but this looks to be middle eastern in origin - sent of to the Fitzwilliam museum for their views, Crusades ? 0.53g, 11.83mm x 14.02mm
1stC BC Roman European fibular brooch , Knotenfibeln
1835 USA Bust Half Dollar qtr
c10thC Saxon stirrup mount type 12 - non open fretwork type , 43.56mm H Ref 302 Williams
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23rd Feb 2014 Triple gold finds to start the new hunts The new team in has started really well with triple gold finds. First MD Ron got a nice 19thC gold signet ring, Wash Tom found the gold ring bezel and then Seattle Gordy found a mint 70BC Morini gold qtr stater. Last season Gordy was a new member that wandered into stubble and found the first full gold stater of what turned into a larger gold hoard on new land. I have sent his coin off to the CCI for recording and reported it to the museum as an addendum to an existing 10 Celtic gold hoard we found currently going through the export process. The guys have also found some great hammered silver and relics that I have not had time to upload yet to the 2014 Feb finds page but will try and get some uploaded later . Updated this years Gold page which now stands at 43 pieces for the season so far.
70BC Celtic gold Morini qtr gold stater- sent to CCI for recording and reported as hoard addendum to museum
18thC rose gold ring top bezel - missing stone 0.62g, 11.65mm H
18thC rose gold ring top bezel - missing stone 0.62g, 11.65mm H
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20th Feb 2014 More exports and new hunt today - New club mini bus arrived http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjZS6jWFM0A&feature=em-uploademail Fantastic Saxon relic find video link above The 2nd team of 2014 kicks off late this afternoon with Washington Tom's B&B boys arriving. Tom's team found a 7 coin, 50BC Celtic gold hoard on new land last season that is currently going through the treasure process so they are no strangers to great finds. They are all long term senior members and know what land they want to pick and head for each day. With a B&B type hunt I just supply the hot lunches in the field, ID and photographing etc and they have their own self drive mini bus and great food at the B&B .Weather out there is still amazingly mild for Feb with 10C already so they will be able to get in some late hunting.
Repaired 19thC silver livery ring Possible Murray clan ringHard to decipher what's in the left hand of the man, but everything else looks correct for a Scottish Clan named Murray.
Meanwhile I have just been banging out more export license applications this week with full find lists and pictures posted on the members forum. I have produced another 2 complete A3 map packs as the one Beau's team trialled worked really well. I just posted Can Victor's neat pouch and his clan ring find has now been fixed by our goldsmith above. Missouri Jeff found our first fragment of a silver Roman off new land we just started searching on the first hunt of 2014 and Mark Lehman has ID'd it as 63 BC below. This new site shows great potential with an 11,000 BC and a 1400 BC axe also being found on this plot. Jeff has added this first Roman silver find to the farmers display case we are currently making up for him to keep.
63 BC Roman BC republican silver sent for ID Believe it or not, this is actually a pretty easy one to identify - mostly due to the fortuitous way it broke and what parts of the distinctive reverse device were left visible. This is a denarius of L. Cassius Longinus, 63 BC. The obverse is the veiled and diademed head of Vesta left. The reverse is really an interesting and important voting scene - "Togate citizen standing left depositing ballot inscribed "V" in voting box." Off flan to the right is the legend LONGIN III V vertically to the right of the standing figure. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s0364.html There are links to another dozen or so specimens of this type on the page to which the URL above links. Mark
The new club mini bus finally arrived on Monday and it is high roof Ford Custom with all the extras. Ours is the long wheel base version so it has more boot space than the one in the internal Ford photo. I have fitted special tailored seat covers and rubber floor mats that will help protect the inside from dirt but it won't be long before it is a mud pit !!
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9th Feb 2014 Four gold for the week, 1400 BC axe and fixed coins Great video link below of the largest hoard of Medieval hammered silver coins found in Scotland. Found on a site where a battle was fought between William Wallace (Braveheart) and King Edward, fantastic find. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=011IVAkptLI&sns=em
Bronze Age (c.1500-1400BC) cast copper alloy primary shield pattern palstave, dating to the Acton Park Phase 91.52mm L x 26.56 mm W
Early medieval zoomorphic mount
17thC seal matrix
1987 London hall mark 9 carat gold ring Maker SMC 0.99g 20.31mm
1980 London hall mark 9 carat gold ring Maker W&G 1.80g, 20.99mm The guys left on Sat and the next team in is Wash Tom's boys on the 20th Feb. The first team made a great start to 2014 with 4 gold finds and some real nice early relics off new land .One of the new plots of land was far too rough to hunt properly and needs to be rolled yet by the landowner. The 2nd new plot showed huge potential and produced that earlier 11,000 BC flint axe head and a 14,000 BC Bronze age palstave axe . Near it were two modern gold rings and the first chuck of a silver Roman coin off that land that I have not photo'd yet. I have posted a load more hammered silver and relics to the latest finds page 2014 Feb finds page. I still have a load more of their finds to photo and post yet as I am still very busy processing export license applications from the first half of the season. Updated this years Gold page which now stands at 39 pieces for the season so far.
1361- 69 Edward III hammered gold qtr noble - Treaty period - Lis in centre of reverse cross - Curule shaped X - Cross potent - now fixed Obv + EDWARD DEI GRA REX ANGL London mint 1.59g, 18.43 mm
1363 -69 Edward III hammered gold 1/4 noble - Treaty series - now fixed Curule shaped X - Lis in centre of reverse Obv EDWARDxDEIxGRAxREXxANGL 18.58mm,1.84g
1553 Mary hammered silver groat - now fixed I managed to get into town and pick up the latest fixed coins and relics from our goldsmith and he made a cracking job again on the gold and silver above. Meanwhile I am still working on the guys ancient silver coins I am s till 'cooking' to remove the horn silver crust. Org Ed's silver below is showing great improvement so I sent it off for a 2nd ID from Mark Lehman.
2ndC Roman silver coin sent for ID - cooking to remove crust (Ed) - resent for update on ID We will need to see what appears on the obverse - particularly in the legend - before I can be completely certain who this is beyond "an Antonine woman". It's highly unlikely to be Faustina Sr. since the main body of her coinage is posthumous and the reverse type - PVDICITIA - would be a quality or virtue only of a living woman. I suspect Faustina Jr. for the following reasons: The shape of the head and the hair style seem to strongly suggest the Antonine era, and although it could be either Faustina Jr. (issued under Antoninus Pius or Marcus Aurelius), Lucilla or Crispina, the length of the obverse legend suggested under the encrustation is likely only on a coin of Faustina Jr. But we'll have to wait and see what the cooker reveals on the obverse. Mark Now that we can read (or at least puzzle-out) the obverse legend well enough to be certain that it reads: FAVSTINA AVGVS-TA AVG PII F = "Faustina, Augusta, Devoted Daughter of the Emperor" She was honored as Augusta in her own right when her mother died in 147, this was several years before before her husband, M. Aurelius was made Augustus (161). She married Marcus Aurelius in 145 and died a few years before him in 175. We can now be certain that this is a lifetime issue for Faustina Jr. which was issued by authority of her father, Antoninus Pius. This issue dates to 156-7 from the mint at Rome. This is an unusual form of obverse legend and is almost unique to this specific type, although this type is not considered particularly scarce. References include: RIC III 508a; RSC 184; BMC1092; and SRCV 4707. Mark
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4th Feb 2014 - Double gold and first Celtic gold of 2014 - Huge 11,000 BC axe I have created a new 2014 Feb finds page and started to uploaded the latest coin and relics finds. I am still busy processing export applications so I will be updating this page when I have the time. A 2nd large batch of approved export licenses arrived and I have posted a list of names on the members forum.
70BC Morini Boat Tree type Celtic gold qtr stater - sent to CCI for recording 1.46g, 11.41mm Reported as hoard to museum
50 - 20 BC Essex Wheels quarter, VA 260, BMC 485 and 496, ABC 2231. Quite a rare Trinovantian type 1.4g, 14.42mm The boys arrived Sat and the weather is stunning out there with 8C temps and bright sunshine. They have already opened the 2nd half of the season with a double gold and a potential new hoard. Boston Steve also eyeballed a beauty 11,000 BC flint axe head and they are finding a lot of these great relics off new land.
20thC Gold pendant marked .375 (9 carat) Boston Gary found a rare Celtic Essex Wheels gold qtr stater on new land on the first hunt of Feb 2013 and then went back to the same spot when he arrived and popped another gold qtr with a mint Morini qtr . I have reported these as a potential hoard to the museum and sent the latest Celtic qtr to John Stills for recording on the CCI. Updated this years Gold page which now stands at 37 pieces for the season so far.
Huge 11,000 BC flint axe head 1660 mm L x 54.82mm W x 29.22 mm T
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28th Jan 2014 More exports and under a week to the kick off - New bus is dead I am down to processing the last dozen or so of the export license applications and posted a load more full finds list and photo's to the members forum. Updated the forum comp page with the latest ancient coin count Forum competition.
Boston Beau's early bird 'Barn' team kick off the first 2014 hunt next Saturday and I don't envy how they come to a decision decision on where to hunt the first day. A Barn team is run by a Senior member with their own mini bus, staying at their own self catering Barn conversion and they come and go as they like. With 550 + fields to pick from and several brand new sites for the 2nd half of the season it is a really tough choice. I never pick where guys hunt as I am really crap at it !! I have now finished the new map packs to make their job a lot easier. I got a mate of mine to do the final construction of the folder from a total novice point of view with an alphabetical legend and numbering system to each map. He made several great suggestions like a new white road only A3 map of the site relationship map. I had already made up a new coloured field aerial view but this new one made it a lot clearer so I have included both in the pack. I have also included huge AO sized 17th/18th Century maps of the whole Colchester area which show old house sites, castles, churches etc. There are also several larger scale historic maps of individual areas in the folders. I also included a Colchester map showing the locations of all Roman roads, ring ditches etc for reference. I picked up the last of the A3 maps from Staples yesterday as they were being printed and laminated. Each map pack has 30 new and improved maps which Beau's team will trial first and feed back any additional/modifications I need to make to improve them. I still have one last job to do and record on the Sat/Nav's the brand new sites for the Barn leaders, they get a loan of a Garmin Sat/Nav from me during their stay with all the land locations, local supermarkets, take aways etc to find their way around.
I should have taken possession of the clubs brand new mini bus this week which I ordered up 20 weeks ago but on arrival the local Ford dealers found several major electrical faults they are trying to rectify. It is real shame as I wanted this new bus before the start of the season as it has major improvements over the old one. I ordered up a raft of extras including, reversing camera, Sat Nav, full air con etc and it has massive safety features like a 5 star Euro NCAP crash protection, lane keeping alert and Ford SYNC with emergency assist. The seats are relining and heated making a quick nap to and from the sites really comfy !! Just a shame it is dead at the moment !! There is still the odd space still free in the Senior members Barn hunts and in full board if you fancy helping hot spot the new and old land. Drop me a mail if you are interested. enquiries@colchestertreasurehunting
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17th Jan 2014 New land maps, disclaimed treasures and exports Poor village woman diving for oysters off of Indonesia discovers ancient treasure chest filled with gold coins washed up by 2004 tsunami Chest of GOLD coins found...... Gold doubloon worth $16 more than two centuries ago expected to fetch at least $5 MILLION at auction 1787 by New York goldsmith Ephraim Brasher
I went along and exchanged the contracts with a new landowner yesterday that asked us to search his land. It turned out to be a larger plot than I thought with 11 new fields of varying sizes and shapes. It adjoins our existing land where a rarer Celtic gold coin was found by Texas Dave and also Org Ed's medieval hammered gold in Sept. I have posted the new maps on the members forum and made up new laminated individual maps for the new map folders, we can start searching it from the 1st Feb when the season opens. The new map folders are getting huge so I will produce a numbered legend at the start of the folder to make finding each site easier. I have lost count of the total field numbers for you to choose from but it must be 550 + by now. I dropped off that new medieval silver ring treasure and picked up several disclaimed treasures from the museum on Wednesday. The guys can now take these finds home. 2011 T915,finder: Can Ed I am still just banging away at the export license applications with probably another 20 left to do before the kick off on the 1st Feb, is it now only two weeks away.
13thC vessica seal matrix Interesting impression of an open hand with two stars above reaching for a closed fist Legend - EDEVM * TIMET
Simply stunning cleaned up 13thC vessica seal matrix with wax impression taken - Madonna and child + AVE TIR TAG R ACIA PLENA (full of (gr)ace)
I have updated the seal matrix page with 3 more 13thC 'trade' type seal matrix rings from the guys pouches
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11th Jan 2014 - More site updates, exports and latest finds from the field video
1679 Charles II milled silver three pence Yet more export license applications winging their way to Export Duty in London for approval. If you are detecting in England you need to apply for permission to take any find over 50 years old out of country,use the address is below. Export Licensing Unit Wash Jim had a crusty milled silver in his pouch I cleaned up and I was really surprised as it is a rarer than hens teeth find for us, 1679 Charles II milled silver 3 pence. In tens years we have only found 26 Charles II milled silver coins. On the same page are the James II coins of which we have found only 8 examples so early milled silver is very hard to find. Charles II and James II milled silver page
I have updated the Celtic gold page with finds from the 1st half of the season. The page is now set out by tribe. Chicago Ron has posted a brilliant video of his teams hunt in the first half of the season. I love the gold sitting coin in the dirt clod and the excitement of when it was finally revealed. It turned out to be the rarest milled gold coin we have ever found. Get out the pop corn and enjoy the 30 minute video, warning contains some swearing. The gold ingot bar he found is currently with the British museum as potential treasure being evaluated. http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=y...ure%3Dyoutu.be
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8th Jan 2014 - More site updates , new maps and exports
New A3 map packs under construction Yet more export license application pictures and finds lists posted on the members forum, log on a check out some more amazing pouches. I am also working hard on producing new A3 maps folders for all the old and new land for the 2nd half of the season kick off. Each 'Barn leader' gets a huge new map pack so they can pick and find the sites they fancy each day a lot easier. Currently there are over 20 + sites and 500 + fields to pick from so these new detailed large scale maps per site will really help. I am using these neat A3 landscape folders I picked up at Staples as it is a great way to display the relationship between the site maps. We currently have sites on 3 sides of Colchester so it shows how far you have to travel to decide to move to a new site during the day. I also have Sat/Nav's that each Barn leader is given with all the sites clearly shown in the favourites menu to get you to the sites. I usual take all the maps to Staples to get them laminated but at the weekend they were very busy so I treated myself to a new laminating machine to speed up the process. I will still have to take the AO to A3 sizes to them as they have monster machines. The 'off' part of the season allows me time to try and catch up on the first half of the season finds being updated on the individual finds page on the site. I am till well behind with this updating but managed to complete another load of pages below.
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3rd Jan 2014 - More exports , disclaimed treasures and more new land for Feb
Georgian double sided fob seal - Jewish profile head, Lion on reverse Still busy just banging away preparing more export licence applications from the first half of the season. I have posted a load more full pictures and finds lists to the members forum. I have also uploaded more missed relics to the latest finds page 2013 Nov finds page. Can Drew added another gold to the count for the season as he had a hollow gold stud in his pouch - updated the gold page that now stands at 35 pieces so far since Sept. Gold page With just under a month to the kick off now to the start to the second half of the season we were approached by a new landowner interested in us searching his fields. I spoke to him yesterday and is it a go as from the 1st Feb. I am popping over to see him next week to get the contracts signed and get a copy of his maps, understand is is about half a dozen new fields that have never been detected before. It has great potential tagged onto one of our existing landowners and borders an old church. I will be posting the new maps on the forum for members to research before the kick off. I have another meeting next with the local museum to week to pick up several disclaimed treasures from the British museum. I will post the list of names on the members forum.
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27th Dec 2013 - More exports and updates to Edward III Loads more export applications posted to the members forum. I have been updating the ancient coin count competition as I process each pouch which now stands at 89. Forum competition
Just finished a monster exercise to split the silly sized Ed III page into 3 new pages, it is now in mint and size order for the small coins. The gold and the large denominations now have their own page. It is very interesting when you see how rare some of the mints are like Bristol and how hard finding farthings still are. Edward III Gold and large denomination hammered silver coins Edward III London only mint hammered pennies, half pennies and farthings Edward III Non London mint hammered pennies, half pennies and farthings
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21st Dec 2013 - More exports and cooking ancient silvers
2ndC crusty Roman silver coin
Medieval silver ring with rubies - reported as treasure to museum
Still busy just banging away preparing export licence applications from the first half of the season. I have posted a load more full pictures and finds lists to the members forum. Some of the export pouches are taking days to prepare with so many missed finds to ID. Penn Dennis had a crusty black ring fragment in his pouch that I did a quick soak in lemon juice to see if it was silver. It turns out to a silver medieval stirrup type ring with two rubies and I have reported it as treasure to the museum. I am currently working on Cal Ben's pouch who has to be one of the best Roman relic pouches I have seen in 10 years. He had several crusty Roman silvers in with his coppers that he did not know he found like the one above. You can just make out a guy sitting on a seat on the reverse and the Roman bust on obverse. I now use the 'cooking' technique to slowly melt away the 'horn silver crust' that grows on 2000 year old coins. It can takes weeks to several years to finally clean up these coins but underneath the 'crust' the coin could be mint. One the more obvious Roman silver Ben found (below) while the hunts were underway has been cooking since Sept. The detail is now a lot clearer now and I sent it back to Mark Lehman for a final ID which is posted below. The trick to 'cooking' ancient silver coins is patience, let the solution and heat do the work even if it takes a year. This coin is very interesting as you can see the copper impurities in the silver 'bleeding' out in places. I have updated the hoard and treasure page with all the recent treasure and hoard finds I have reported to the museum. Updated the latest finds page 2013 Nov finds page with more missed finds
2ndC Roman silver coin - cooking to remove crust - sent to Mark Lehman for initial ID and just resent it to him now the crust is coming off This is Elagabalus, definitely. 221 AD, Mint of Rome. Reverse which is actually: Providentia standing left, holding rod and cornucopiae, globe at feet - this also changes the references to the following: RIC IV 42; RSC 189b; SRCV 7534. Obverse: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right. Mark
Not seen this type of large decorated domed mounts before - needs research
Carus, 282-283 AD Just cleaned up what looked like a crusty bronze and it is a silver washed Roman with great detail - just sent off to Mark Lehman for his views Well, you weren't, technically speaking, incorrect to call this a "silver Roman" as it was made to be a silver denomination. Antoninianus (double denarius) or as some folks call them at this point in the 3rd century, "Aurelianianus". Although Aurelian did make significant reforms which pulled the fragmenting Western Empire together for another 2 centuries or so at a time when everything could have come apart and the descent into feudalism have begun all the earlier, I won't comment on how silly this particular re-naming of the Antoninianus is. He did reform the coinage, stabilizing the size and purity - and increasing the silver content slightly as well as introducing new silvering techniques which were far more long-lasting. However, the total silver in it was highly unlikely ever to have been more than about 5% total - and so, unless you want it to come out "orange" like the other antoninianus which you sent the photo of today - I would give it a pass on "cooking". This particular piece is from one of the successors of Aurelian - one of the so-called Illyrian Emperors - Probus, 276-282 AD. As far as I can tell - and it's pretty obvious at first glance that not much of the reverse is clearly visible - the reverse type is RESTITVTOR EXERCITI - although it's not altogether impossible that it's RESTITVTOR ORBIS or RESTITVT ORBIS - just hard to tell at this point how the legend ends. In either case it's one of those 2-figure "presentation" scenes with either (for the ORBIS types) a female figure personifying (? what? - depends on the details we can't see) some allegorical concept presenting a wreath to Probus who stands facing her. Or, if it's the EXERCITI types, Mars (most likely) presenting a globe - possibly with a figure of Victory atop it - to the emperor. Probus tended to "get on a kick" with his reverse types and issue dozens of very minor variations in obverse bust, reverse scene, wording and spelling of legends, field marks and exergual lettters, from eight or ten mints, so even when everything is completely clear and visible it's often a chore to figure out exactly which mint any specific variety should be attributed to. If it's the EXERCITI type, possibly Siscia or Cyzicus - the ORBIS types were common and numerous at all the mints. Correction to the last - taking another look at the obverse legend, I am now going to say this is Carus, 282-283 AD. rather than Probus. Except that he was nowhere nearly so prolific a minter as Probus and this is far more likely to be RESTITVT ORBIS than any of the other possibile reverses I previously named, everything else is still pretty much the same as I said in the last email. Carus is a good bit scarcer than Probus, too - and neither of them is exactly "over-represented" in the typical range of finds you show me. Mark
2ndC Roman knee brooch
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14th Dec 2013 - More exports and site updates More great export pouches finds lists and pictures posted to the members forum. Another pouch of the year contender posted to Monster pouch forum section Updated more of the individual site pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season
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9th Dec 2013 - More exports and site updates More great export pouches finds lists and pictures posted to the members forum. Updated more of the individual site pages below with finds from the 1st half of the season |
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5th Dec 2013 - More exports and recorded finds back - site updates I picked up 70 of our finds from Colchester museum that have now been recorded on the PAS database. I also dropped off the last of the treasures and hoards found in the first half of the season that will now go though the treasure process. I have posted a load more of the export pictures and finds lists to the members forum. I have started updating the individual site page below with finds from the 1st half of the season
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28th Nov 2013 - Export applications & process and yet more land I have been busy beavering away preparing export license applications for all the first half of the season pouches. No man made object over 50 years old can leave the country without an approved export license being granted. Every single find has to photo'd on a numbered grid and a full description list added. It is a long process but it is great exercise to take photo's of any missed finds while the hunts are taking place. The 'finds advisor' expert at the British museum looks at every application very carefully to ensure that no nationally important finds have been missed and will require a hearing. The Finds Liaison Officer records any important objects they select and adds them to the PAS National finds database. I have posted full finds lists and photo's to the members forum of all the pouches processed so far. At the and of the season the members vote for their favourite 'pouch of the year' and the winner gets the club silver cup and their name on the shield of honour. Atlanta Mike's complete pouch below is already a pouch of the year contender. I will add more pouch of the year contenders to the Monster pouch section on the forum to help members refresh their memories at the end of the season. I went and saw one of our new landowners yesterday to pay more detecting fees up front and to give him his half of the gold split on his first gold coin finds. We have barely touched his two new sites with only 2 groups so far visiting his sites for a day and they show huge potential. One of his fields is littered with Roman pottery and I took a bag full for him to have a look before they are taken to the Colchester museum for recording and their views. He has four new plots and has given us another 2 sites to start searching from Feb 1st. One is very interesting around an old medieval church. His brother who also owns a lot of land could also be interested is us searching his plots. The 2nd half of the season kicks off on the 1st Feb.
Atlanta Mike's great export pouch - bit of everything
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19th Nov 2013 - Record end to the first half of the season - CCI recording's - more exports approved - more land The guys left Saturday and ended the first half of the season with a few more hammered silver and widgets. I have not had time to post them yet to the latest finds page2013 Nov finds page. It has been another record half season with 34 gold pieces found and some amazing relics including our first gold thimble and only our 2nd ever silver medieval seal matrix. John Sills has recorded our last 3 Celtic gold hoard coins for us below and we are now sending him the very accurate Lat/Long positions plotted using the new Minelab 3030 GPS find spot feature. We started recording all our important finds using this feature last Sept and it amazing to see a google map of the hoard areas and the dispositions of the coin finds. This feature will greatly increase the success of the club at repeating the exact hoard spot after each seasons reploughing. I've recorded the three coins as follows: 13.0668 - Gallo-Belgic D quarter no. 1 (1.46g), ABC 40 type struck early in the Gallic Wars, around 56 BC or so. 13.0669 - Gallo-Belgic D quarter no. 2 (1.45g), this is the 'Y' or Branch type, not in ABC, very slightly earlier than the standard type, say 57 BC, quite scarce although more are turning up. Struck from a worn reverse die where the central line has developed a long flaw that makes it look like a branch. 13.0670 - Clacton quarter, ABC 2350, looks like a late example with many pellets above the horse. Useful to see these types found together because the Morini quarters can be dated quite accurately, helping to date the Trinovantian series. There are three or four hoards now, including Clacton itself, with Clacton type staters and quarters found with Gallo-Belgic E and D all struck early in the Gallic Wars. All the best John I have a meeting planned to take in all the latest hoards and treasures but the pick up date for the 70 finds we currently have with the museum being recorded on PAS has now been delayed to mid December. I received the last batch of approved export licenses in the mail this morning and posted the name list onto the members forum. Please indicate if you want to pick them up next trip or have me ship them to you. Now it is time again to prepare all the export license applications for the first half of the season and post pictures of any finds missed while the hunts were in full swing. I also have 3 new landowners that have approached us to search their land and one is around an early 12thC church which could have great potential. Hopefully I can get the contracts signed to allow us to start search them from the start of Feb. If you want to join one of the hunts either contact one of the Barn leaders directly or contact me on enquiries@colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk
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14th Nov 2013 - Triple Celtic gold hoard found - half season break on Saturday
Trinovantes Celtic gold 1/4 stater 50BC - sent to CCI for recording - reported as potential hoard 0.70g, 13.65mm
Just one more day to the end of the first half of the season and Louisiana Sal's team are still making amazing finds. Cal Gary popped two 70 BC Morini boat tree Celtic qtr staters and Sal then found a 50BC Clacton type quarter. The coins have been sent to the CCI for recording and reported to Colchester museum as potential hoard. This now takes this seasons gold total to 34 pieces which is a new club first half record, the best full season is 56 so we have a great chance in the 2nd half to thrash the record again. The 2nd half of the season kicks off on the 1st Feb when another 79 new fields come on line taking the total then to 500 + to run around !! Updated this years Gold page which has now hit 34 pieces Updated the Hoard and Treasure page Sal's team has been hunting a new set of fields and the whole area is littered with Roman pottery shards, some of the chunks are huge bowl bases. Sal has picked up a load of examples for me to take to the museum for their views. What is very surprising is they have not found any Roman coins or period relics like fibular brooches yet in this area but the site is huge and requires a lot more hotspotting
Roman pottery bowls and rims
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10th Nov 2013 - Amazing gold thimble and more hammered gold - Bag of Roman pottery and Saxon donation
Monster rare coin ID'd Frisian imitation (c.830-850) Weird ancient coin - looks like a Roman but with more medieval style lettering - sent off to both medieval and Roman experts for their views This is copper alloy plated imitation of a Frisian imitation (c.830-850) of the gold solidus of Louis the Pious (814-840). There have been many single finds of these Frisian imitations, including cut fractions of them, but this is the first plated copy I have seen. I have recorded this as EMC 2013.0106. If it should ever be available to acquire please let us know. Best wishes, Martin I just received an e- mail from Dr Martin Allen at the Fitzswilliam museum thanking us for Cal George's generous donation of the rare Saxon gold solidus imitation he found above. I completed all the donation paperwork and it arrived safely by recorded delivery to Martin on Friday. The coin has arrived and is very much appreciated. This is an historically important item and we are very glad to have it. Best wishes and thanks, Martin
Georgian solid gold thimble 4.67g, 22.75mm H
It has been a record gold count for the first half of any season by the club members and they still have one week left until we take the mid term break. Louisiana Sal found our first ever decorated gold thimble find and what a stunning relic and in fantastic shape to. I never thought I would ever see a solid gold thimble found.
1361- 69 Edward III hammered gold qtr noble - Treaty period - Lis in centre of reverse cross - Curule shaped X - Cross potent Obv + EDWARD DEI GRA REX ANGL London mint 1.59g, 18.43 mm Then Italy John made the double and found his first ever gold coin find in 30 years of hunting on a new site the guys are just hotspotting. This new site is littered with more Roman pottery bowl rims and bases than any other site we have ever had but not one Roman bronze coin has been found yet. Sal and the boys collected a bag full of pottery shards for me to take to the museum for their views. Updated this years Gold page which has now hit 31 pieces
Stunning 13thC seal matrix - hanging pendant type with back suspension loop + S CECILIE * PILIOT "Seal of Cecilie Piliot". There is a French family by that name. But I could be completely off base. The lettering is S' CECILIE, etc...meaning Sigillum...latin for "Seal of"....then the person's last name Mitch Chris Col Chris found a stonking medieval seal matrix which I cleaned up and the legend is now very crisp, Mitch Chris has ID'd the French family. Col John found another great find with a James II emergency issue Irish half crown. I have posted a load more great silver and relics to the latest finds page 2013 Nov finds page.
Copper half crown( 30 pence) - 1689 James II Irish 'gun metal' emergency coinage Obv 2 - JACOBVS II DEI GRATIA - Rev 2 Rev Crown and 4 sceptres , XXX above crown, month below MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX (date)
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4th Nov 2013 - Stunning seals and a Tealby
Stunning c13thC medieval silver seal matrix - Crossed hands and flowers - reported as treasure to museum Lombardic lettering - Edward type E's and S "Esto Fidelis", which means 'be faithful' Another great range of stunning finds still being found. Just posted a load of early hammered silver cut pennies on to the latest finds page 2013 Nov finds page. Col John popped a rare beauty early silver seal matrix treasure, normally they are bronze. Mitch Chris has ID'd the legend on the members forum as "Esto Fidelis", which means 'be faithful'. Can Ron also found the classic 'sacrificial lamb of god' vessica seal which needs a clean up to read the legend. Check out our seal matrix page for more great examples of the guys finds. Seal matrix page Can Bill dug one of our best ever looking 'Tealby' hammered silver pennies. These are a notoriously badly struck coinage see our Henry II page for more examples.
Huge 1stC Roman AS coin in great shape - sent for ID 31.74mm, 15.57g
2ndC Roman silver coin sent for ID - cooking to remove crust (Ed) We will need to see what appears on the obverse - particularly in the legend - before I can be completely certain who this is beyond "an Antonine woman". It's highly unlikely to be Faustina Sr. since the main body of her coinage is posthumous and the reverse type - PVDICITIA - would be a quality or virtue only of a living woman. I suspect Faustina Jr. for the following reasons: The shape of the head and the hair style seem to strongly suggest the Antonine era, and although it could be either Faustina Jr. (issued under Antoninus Pius or Marcus Aurelius), Lucilla or Crispina, the length of the obverse legend suggested under the encrustation is likely only on a coin of Faustina Jr. But we'll have to wait and see what the cooker reveals on the obverse. Mark
1400BC Bronze Age socketed axe head fragment
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2nd Nov 2013 - More interesting relics and silver - ancient silver cooking session
The guys are still finding a very diverse set of relics and silver including our first cut half Irish Henry III half penny. Can Ron has found a beauty sacrificial lamb medieval seal matrix I have not taken pictures of yet. I still have a load more finds to take pictures of yet but have uploaded another huge batch to the new finds page 2013 Nov finds page. The members on the forum have been researching the tricky finds like the 19thC silver livery ring Can Victor found. Italy John has ID'd it as possible Scottish Murray clan. Cal Jim our heraldic expert has ID'd the medieval shield pendant as Robert de Scotto, his write up is below. I have had a long picking session on the dozen or so ancient silvers still 'cooking' to remove the horn silver crust on them. Some of the crusts are 1/8 inch thick and will take a very long time to melt off. I have cleaned up one of the easy ones below Cal Ben found. I have a Saxon silver sceat that has been in the pot for over a year now and it is the crustiest I have ever seen dug , two medieval hammered silver coins are showing great improvement. I will do some more 'cooking' today post latest shots of them shortly.
C13thC Medieval heraldic harness pendant - researching owner It is my belief that the background is Ermine. So we are not counting how many little things there are in each field, but assuming that the cross the was laid over a field of Ermine. Cal Jim
19thC silver livery ring Possible Murray clan ringHard to decipher what's in the left hand of the man, but everything else looks correct for a Scottish Clan named Murray.
Cleaned up silver Roman Julia Avita Mamaea was the second daughter of Julia Maesa, a powerful Roman woman of Syrian origin and Syrian noble Gaius Julius Avitus Alexianus.
It will probably come as no large surprise that the 2nd - the denarius needing the least cleaning - is Julia Mamaea - you can read a good deal of the legend as-is, the initial "IVLIA" is quite clear. This precise combination of features on the reverse, "CONCORDIA" with Concord standing left, pouring libation from patera over small lighted altar and holding double cornucopiae; star in left field, is unique to her, so far as I have been able to determine in a quick search of the Severan women. Also, the hair style is fairly distinctive, too. Generally the Imperial women each had their own personal style or series of styles and didn't copy each other (except Lucilla who copied her mother, Faustina Jr, with a very round, low-placed bun and otherwise unadorned hair style). Mark Lehman
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28th Oct 2013 - New Nov finds page Just reduced the 2013 Oct2 finds page size as it was taking ages to load, created a new Nov 2013 page and uploaded a load more great silver and relics to it. |
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26th Oct 2013 - More amazing gold and brilliant relics
The guys have been finding some amazing relics and coins. Chicago Ron's found an ancient gold ingot very near to where Tenn Brad found his medieval gold statue so was this going to be another one ? . It was also found near Org Ed's 1300 BC gold ring so dating it will be impossible unless the museum do a full spectrum analysis on it. Boston Beau also found a stunning 'Fere god' gilded silver ring that again I have reported to the museum as treasure. I have updated the hoard and treasure page with all the recent treasure and hoard finds I have reported to the museum. Updated this years Gold page which has now hit 29 pieces I have uploaded tons of new finds to the latest finds page 2013 Oct 2 finds page and have some amazing relics and coins to try and upload today. I have at least a weeks worth of the guys pouches to go through yet and I know there are some stonkers like a huge Roman key to photograph yet. I will be spending most of the day processing them so check back later.
Ancient gold ingot 11.7g, 34.99mm L - reported as treasure to museum Perfect weight to make 2 full Celtic gold staters
16thC gilded silver religious ring - reported to museum as treasure + FERE GOD + (means fear god) 4.6g, 21.05mm dia
Stunning medieval enamelled harness pendant
BC Roman silver coin - rider on horse - 'cooking' to remove crust Archived news pages below More news pages Brad's gold medieval gold statue English Saxon gold coin found Double Cunobelin Celtic gold Chicago Reid's Roman gold ring NS Andy's Saxon strap end Medieval Iconic gold ring find First Celtic gold of the season Celtic Woad cosmetic grinder and Jeff Roman Pecker find Viking silver strap end- Rare Roman silver coin finds Great Saxon silver finds Offa Rex - Coenwulf - Hammered gold Villa Dig - Roman gold - Celtic gold hoard found Can Majos and Mass Bills gold rings - Texas Dave's hammered gold Roman gold coin - Mass Bruce's axe hoard 2000BC Axe - Boston Buds Saxon gold
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The Cantiaci or Cantii were a Celtic people living in Britain before the Roman conquest, and gave their name to a civitas of Roman Britain. They lived in the area now called Kent, in south-eastern England. Their capital was Durovernum Cantiacorum, now Canterbury.
