2017 Feb finds

Celtic gold Cunobelin stater - 'linear' series, VA 1925-1. The earliest of the rule, perhaps from c. 20 AD, and a little rarer, with about 60 recorded here

15.95, 5.48g

Sent to museum for recording

50 BC Trinovantes British British G 'Early Clacton' gold stater

Debased gold

0.89g, 9.91mm

Sent to museum for recording and addendum to existing hoard

Large great patina Roman bronze sent for ID

16g, 31.91mm

Chris – nice sestertius!
This is Marcus Aurelius – Philosopher/emperor and the last of the “good emperors” of the 2nd century AD.  He was Caesar under Antoninus Pius for about 21 years, then Augustus in his own right for an additional 19 (161-180) so he was around for a good long time during an era of relative peace and prosperity many refer to as the “Golden Age of the Roman Empire” – there were a LOT of coins struck with his portrait.

On the reverse is Providentia – holding a wand and resting on a long scepter, with a large globe at her feet.
I don’t have an example of Marcus Aurelius with Providentia, but she is a personification often seen on Roman coins – like this dupondius of Antoninus Pius

http://www.stoa.org/gallery/album93/18_A_Pius_Dup_Providentia?full=1

The portrait of Marcus Aurelius on your coin is very nicely done – often he seems not to have cared much for what his portrait appeared like on coins with a beard that often tended towards scraggly:

This is a pretty typical portrait of Aurelius as Augustus on a sestertius with a Felicitas reverse:

http://www.stoa.org/gallery/album94/21_M_Aurelius_Sest_Felicitas?full=1

The obverse legend on your coin is pretty well gone, but I could make a guess at what it would have been
M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG ARMENIACVS P M is fairly likely
The reverse is probably similar, at least to:
TR POT XIX IMP II COS III S – C
The tribunician, Imperium and consulship dates might be different on yours since Providentia was a stock reverse used over and over, but it’s likely to follow this formula. It’s likely to be from fairly early in his reign as Augustus - ~ c. 165 or thereabouts.

Mark

Irish 1279-1301 Edward 1st hammered silver penny - single pellet on Kings breast, pellet at start of Obv legend

Obv EDWR ANGL DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/DUBL/INIE - Dublin mint

1247 Henry III hammered silver voided half penny

Rev - RIC/ARD - Moneyer Ricard

Roman bronze coin or trade weight - unusually thick - sent for ID

17.94mm,7.08g

Chris this traveled a LONG way to get there. This is a potin tetradrachm from the Provincial Roman mint at Alexandria, Egypt. Egypt was, legally, an estate wholly belonging to the emperor. As such, the money of the rest of the world was not legal for use there. Visitors had to surrender any money they had brought for its equivalent in the local Provincial currency – which was, itself, illegal to use anywhere outside of Egypt. Ie: Egypt’s economic system during the Imperial period was basically one of “plantation tokens” exclusively under the emperor’s personal control and whim.

Your piece here is from the emperor Probus – 275-282 – and is dated on the reverse.

The “L” is actually a hieratic form of the Egyptian hieroglyph meaning “what follows is a number” – the “S” on the right side of the eagle is the Greek numeral 6 – so this piece was struck in the Egyptian cognate of Probus’ 6th regnal year, or 280/281 AD.

The thickness is typical for these billon/potin pieces.

Mark


This is a similar – nearly identical - piece from my own collection:
http://www.stoa.org/gallery/album306/46_Probus_Eagle_r?full=1

3rd-4thC crossbow Roman brooch

11,000 flint scraper

Anglo Saxon disc brooch

This type of brooch was popular in Anglo-Saxon South of England in the fifth and sixth centuries.

1279 Edward hammered silver farthing - New issue with inner circle both sides - Type 28

Obv + EDWARDVS REX

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1279 Edward hammered silver penny

Obv + EDWARR ANGLE DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1279 Edward hammered silver penny

Obv + EDWAR ANGLE DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1205 William 1 The Lion - Scottish hammered silver half penny

Obv WILAM

Rev HUE WALTER

1897 Victorian gold finger ring - 15 carat,0.625 Date e, Sheffield hallmark

Maker CJ

4.51g, 21.22mm

Georgian Double sided seal ring - Continental

Obv Crown SR

Rev Susan

20.12mm dia,4.27g

1485 Henry VII hammered silver half groat

Archb Savage - keys by neck , no tressure:ornate lettering, mm martlet

Rev CIVI/TAS/EBO/RACI - York mint

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1793 Coventry halfpenny Conder token

Rev PRO BONO REPUBLICO

1279 Edward hammered silver penny

Obv + EDWAR ANGLE DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR- Canterbury mint

1422-27 Henry VI First reign hammered silver penny.

Annulets by neck, annulets in centre of pellets in 2 qtrs

Rev VILLA/CAL/ISIE - Calais mint

WWII - Kings crown cap badge for the Kings's Own Dorset Yeomanry.

1772 coin weight 2 pennyweight and 6 grains - half gold guinea

Obv Coined since 1772

Rev Crown 2 DWT 6 g

1279 Edward hammered silver penny

Obv + EDWAR ANGLE DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

Huge unknown buckle - medieval ? similar to Roman dolphin buckles

1811 George III milled silver 3 shilling Bank Of England toekn (36 pence)

1639-40 Charles 1st hammered silver shilling (12 pence)

Triangle mint mark

1216 Henry III hammered silver short cross farthing

Rev N/LV - London mint

16thC stone cannon ball - probably gun type was a Minion

1485 Henry VII hammered silver half penny - Cross furchee - Open crown

Obv HENRIC DI GRA REX

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1422-61 Henry VI hammered silver half penny - annulet issue - two annulets in oppositing quadrants

Obv hENRIC REX ANGL

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1300 -1310 Edward II hammered silver half penny - Type 10

Obv **ANGL**

Rev /x A *** - Newcastle mint

Pre 1603 James VI Eightpenny copper groat - Before accession to English Throne - Not issued for the first 16 yeras of his reign from 1567

1247 Henry III hammered silver voided long cross farthing

Rev /OLE/ - Moneyer Nicole

1754 Portuguese Half Moidore gold coin weight

13 shillings and 6 pence

1279 Edward hammered silver penny

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1300-10 Edward II hammered silver farthing- new issue with inner circles both sides - oval flan - Type 28f

Obv ****REX AN

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1422-27 Henry VI First reign hammered silver penny. roundabout mint mark

Annulets by neck, annulets in centre of pellets in 2 qtrs

Rev VILLA/CAL/ISIE - Calais mint

4thC Roman bronze sent for ID

Chris,

This is a nice one – I’ve seen too many which have been attacked by farm chemicals, etc.
This is Constantine I (The Great) and the type is VIRTVS EXERCITI; two bound captives seated back-to-back at base of a standard with VOT / XX in two lines on the banner

Unfortunately, I can’t read the mint mark in the exergue.  I could tell you more if I knew the mint – if you can read some or all of the letters/symbols in the exergue, let me know and I can expatiate.  About all I can say authoritatively is that the type dates to around 320-321 AD, it was mainly produced at Western European mints, and the denomination is “centenionalis”, a denomination introduced by Constantine In ca 319 to replace the dwindling follis. The centenionales were struck (shrinking over time as well, of course) right up to 348 and the reforms of Constantius II and Constans which brought in the Majorina-based coinage to replace the centenionales. The most typical example of the majorina coinage is the fallen horseman FEL TEMP REPARATIO with which you are, no doubt, familiar.

The most familiar example of the centenionalis coinage of the Constantinin era is the GLORIA EXERCITVS, 2 soldiers flanking one or two standards which followed this and a couple other types, appearing about a decade later.

Mark

Britain's Merchant Navy
Generic Design Issue
In use 1900 - 2000's

Bliss Bros Ltd

Rd 665050

10-40 AD Celtic Cunobelinus Pegasus Victory right bronze unit

Obv Pegasas, CAMV below

Rev Victory standingr,CV to l.,NO to r

ABC 2927, VA 1979 Classed rare

1.04g.12.96mm

4thC Roman bronze sent for ID

1.27g,16.64mm

in this condition and/or from these photos, I can’t tell which of at least half a dozen late 3rd century emperors is on the obverse, but I can tell you it’s an antoninianus and the reverse type is most likely CONCORDIA MILITVM with the emperor (usually) on the left and Jupiter (usually) on the right clasping hands, or handing him a globe on top of which may or may not be a small figure of Victory.

This is an example of an early-ish antoninianus of this sort by Aurelian:

http://www.stoa.org/gallery/album76/39_Aurelian_Concordia_Militum?full=1

And one from a little later with Victory on the left presenting a wreath to the emperor on the right – there are several variants on this 2 facing participants reverse and CONCORDIA MILITVM is not the only legend you might see – CLEMENTIA TEMP was another which often appeared.


http://www.stoa.org/gallery/album108/ML_06_Probus_Concordia_Cyz_ant?full=1

Or, it might be as late as the 1st tetrarchy:

I kept these examples all in the CONCORDIA MILITVM vein, but IOVI CONSERVATORI and various other legends often accompanied this scene.

The legend on yours, I feel pretty certain, is CONCORDIA MILITVM – it might not be, but it’s not possible to be completely certain from the photos.  It definitely is a scene with the emperor interacting with a deity, or senior & junior emperors congratulating one another, etc.

Mark

1310-14 Edward II hammered silver penny - E pointed back class 11b - Broken left ornament to crown (11 crown)

Obv +EDWAR ANGLE DNS hYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR - Canterbury mint

1615 Louis XIII French style jetton

Obv Crowned busts to right: LVDO.XIII.D.G.FR.ET.NA ANNA.AVSTR.HISPAN

Rev Inscribed on a band between two hearts

CARIT/SPES/FIDES and below NV-NQVAN.MAECES-CEN

The King and Queen married 24th Nov 1615

1605-6 James 1st hammered copper farthing - Mintmark Rose

General type Obv. IACO D G MAG BR (IT)

Rev. FRA ET HIB REX

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1625 Charles 1st hammered copper Richmond type farthings – Harp on reverse

17thC Jonas Whale of Colchester Essex, baker, hammered copper trade farthing

Rev IWS

Norweb 1234a

Medieval handle

1531-44 Henry VIII hammered silver half groat - Archbishop Lee

LE by shield

Medieval cast copper alloy dagger scabbard chape - English

40mm L

1279 Edward 1st hammered silver penny

Obv +EDWAR R ANGLE DNS hYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR - Canterbury mint

1247 Henry III hammered silver voided long cross half penny

Rev OLE/ - Moneyer Nicole

1279 Edward 1st hammered silver penny

Obv +EDWAR R ANGLE DNS hYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR - Canterbury mint

Fixed 1361- 69 Edward III hammered gold qtr nobel - Treaty period, Large pellet at centre of reverse cross

Obv EDWAR DEI GRAC ANGL D

19mm,1.83g

Fixed 1351-2 Edward III hammered silver groat (4 pence), annulet stops

obv EDWA***** REX ANGLZ FR **

Rev CIVI/TAS/EBO/RACI - York mint

Georgian opened topped thimble

Iron Age, mid-2nd century BC
Probably made in northern France or Belgium another one found at Fenny Stratford near Milton Keynes, England

One of the earliest coins in Britain

Iron Age, mid-2nd century BC
Probably made in northern France or Belgium; found at Fenny Stratford near Milton Keynes, England

One of the earliest coins in Britain

This is a superb example of the Iron Age die-engraver's art. It also represents what is thought to be the first type of coin ever to circulate in Britain. They were probably made on the Continent in northern France or Belgium. Gold coins like this crossed over the English Channel, perhaps in trade or as gifts between high-ranking individuals. Some of them were eventually buried in coin hoards and not recovered by their owners. The owner may have died, or simply forgotten where they had put them. Alternatively, the coins may have been intended as permanent, sacred offerings to the gods. They are mostly found today by metal-detectorists, in locations throughout south-east England. Another one was found at Fenny Stratford near Milton Keynes.

The design of the coin is, at several stages removed, descended from the Greek gold staters of King Philip II of Macedon (reigned 359-336 BC). The hair on the left-facing head has grown considerably, while the original two-horsed chariot on the reverse of the coin has been transformed here into a lively, abstract depiction of a horse surrounded by a large array of symbols.

I.M. Stead and S. Youngs, Celts, British Museum Pocket Treasury (London, The British Museum Press, 1996)

D. Nash, Coinage in the Celtic world (London, Seaby, 1987)

Reported as potential hoard to museum

Ancient gold sheet - hatch decoration - possible cup fragment

21.34mm,0.95g

Reported as potential treasure

Roman glass vessel top

10-40 AD Cunoblinus Leaping Griffin type Celtic silver unit

Laureate bust r CVNOBEL in front INVS behind

Griffin springing L,CAMV on ex. line

ABC 2909

Classed as excessively rare

13.25mm, 1.19g

1279 Edward 1st hammered silver penny

Obv +EDWARR ANGL DNS hYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/CAN/TOR - Canterbury mint

1279 Edward 1st hammered silver penny

Obv +EDWR ANGL DNS hYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/EBO/RACI - York mint

1279 Edward 1st hammered silver penny

Obv +EDW*** ANGL DNS hYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/DVR/EME- Durham mint

Hooked mount

Chronology

Period to: POST MEDIEVAL

Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1600

1247 Henry III hammered silver voided long cross farthing

Rev LEM/ - Moneyer William

1247 Henry III hammered silver voided long cross halfpenny

Rev VND/NIC/ - Moneyer Nicole of London mint

1216 Henry III hammered silver voided short cross farthing

Rev ONL/ - London mint

Medieval Edward 1st to 3rd hammered silver long cross farthing

Obv EDWA***

Rev CIVI/T

Medieval Edward 1st to 3rd hammered silver long cross penny

Obv EDW**** hYB

Unknown legend on hammered silver voided long cross farthing

11,000 BC flint axe head

1864 - 18 carat gold ring - 'Fidelity'

Maker HG&S - Henry Griffith & Sons Birmingham

20.22mm, 2.04g

c20-25AD Cunobelin silver unit

The Cunobelin silver is very nice, and a rare type at that. Seated figure facing left. The only standard reference for the type is no. 308 in Spink's Coins of England, it's not in Van Arsdell or the BM catalogue. You can see the amphora which the seated figure is holding quite clearly, but the CVNOBE doesn't show up too well on either. I don't have the exact figures here for rarity, but I don't think there are more than a dozen of these recorded at most. Date is perhaps somewhere in the middle of Cunobelin's reign, say perhaps c. 20-25 AD.

Thanks again for all these,
Best wishes
Philip

13.97mm,1.27g

Got to new 2017 March finds page for more uploads