Oct 2007 Finds page 3

Dubnovellaunus Late 1st BC to Early 1stC AD Full Celtic gold stater

5.44g,17.57mm - sent to Celtic coin index for recording

Dubnovellaunus succeeded Addedomaros to the Trinovantian throne about 10-5BC and ruled for several years before being overthrown by the Catuvellauni under the leadership of Cunobelin

'it's a nice looking coin. I'll record it as CCI 07.1130.
It's a bit difficult for me to check die-links from here but I'll try and have a look when I get the chance.

Here's hoping for a few more in the autumn!

Best wishes
Philip'

1272 Edward 1st hammered silver penny

CIVITAS CANTOR - Canterbury mint

1344- 1351 Edward III hammered silver penny(third Florin coinage ) type - cross 3

Ob EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB

rev CIVITAS CANTOR - Canterbury mint (71)

Early decorated silver ring fragment with runic symbols - reported to museum as treasure

0.53g,19.96mm L

Mid 17thC Elias Moortier of Colchester Essex hammered copper trade farthing - undated type

French Infanterie de ligne (1871-1916)

AM & Co Paris

Germany Navy Pre-1918

Really neat cast decorative commeroration mount - clothing style suggests 16thC but is not Sir Francis Drake, metalwork suggests 18th/19thC C but it is not Lord Nelson - needs more research

62.25mm H

Severus Alexander 222-235 A.D.

This one is an As too, but has neither enough legend nor a characteristic enough portrait for me to be sure which of the two most likely candidates it is, but I believe it's either Severus Alexander 222-235 A.D. or Gordian III, 238-244. Both were "boy emperors" who came to the throne in their teens and were both around a relatively long time as mid 3rd century emperors went - long enough for there to be a significant body of coins for both of them. Also, the one letter on the obverse which appears to be clear seems to be an "A" - and could fit into either of their names in about that position. I'm afraid I can't tell what's happening on the reverse of this one. Sorry I can't give you much more than that on the basis of the photos.

3.36g, 20.26mm

6.04g,

 

'This is a "City Commemorative" - when Constantine moved his capitol to Constantinople in about 330 A.D., he issued coins in honor of both Constantinople and of Rome. This one is the CONSTANTINOPOLIS type with
the personification of Constantinople in helmet left with spear over her shoulder. The reverse has no legend but shows Victory standing in the prow of a vessel, holding a spear and leaning on a shield. These were issued in a couple different waves. The earlies ones were larger, heavier and of better workmanship than the later types. This one probably dates to c. 335 A.D. or later - I can't read the exergue, so I can't tell you which mint it's from'

Magnentius 350-353 A.D 1.57g, 17.71mm

This seems to be either a centenionalis which has been extensively chipped making it smaller than it started out, or perhaps it's a half-centenionalis. Since none of the obverse legend remains, it could be either Magnentius or Decentius and I won't be able to tell which of the two (although Magnentius' coins are far more common). This
older-Augustus/younger-Caesar brother combo was around briefly in the 350-353 A.D. time frame. Having power only in the European West, their coins only come from the Gallic & Italian mints, plus Siscia. The reverse type is: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAES. with two Victories holding a shield between them inscribed: VOT V / MVLT X over a cippus, or short columnar altar. It's their most common type, although the two of them are
not, in general, what you'd call really common finds.

Gallienus 260-268 A.D 2.49g, 20.72mm

'is a mid-late 3rd century AE antoninianus. The denomination was introduced, in good silver, in 215 by Caracalla - it contained one and one-half denarius' worth of silver but was tariffed as 2 denarii - things only got worse from there. Quickly debased, by the time of the crisis of the 260's, it was completely copper with a silvery wash (which seldom survives). The later 3rd century "Illyrian" emperors like Aurelian and Probus restored the coin to a better size and alloy, and although still silver-washed, the process was better so it stuck better. Eventually, it was phased out in Diocletian's reforms in the late 280's, but a new, wholly AE "radiate" fraction of the follis was retained with exactly the same reverse types as the former antoniniani. I guess everyone was so used to having copper radiates that they just continued the general module as a different denomination.
You hazarded a guess that this was Tacitus, and as much as I hate to disappoint you, that's unlikely, since Tacitus, Florian, Carus, Carinus, Numerian, and the other last few emperors besides Aurelian and Probus in the era before Diocletian and the Tetrarchy were all relatively short-lived, so their coins tend to be a bit scarcer. My best guess here is Gallienus - I'm afraid I can't tell the reverse type aside from saying it appears to be a standing allegorical personification of some sort. It would date to his sole imperium, after his father and co-emperor, Valerian I, was captured by the Sasanian Shapur I in 260 A.D. - so the most likely time frame here is 260-268 A.D'.

Stunning 13th Light dragoons unlisted button - pre 1800

 

'Still unrecorded, but I have it in my book as the below'

Tim

13th Light Dragoons

Officer - 1800-1830

1876-1894

Honour; if the head of a "blackamoor" or Moor, refers to deeds of prowess in the Crusades

Livery button

Firmin & Sons Ld
153 Strand London

'3rd Essex Local Militia gilt (b/m: Charles Jennens. London).

This is the 3rd Reg't of the Essex Local Militia.
Formed march 15th 1809, Disbanded 1816, for the Napoleonic Wars.
Based at Colchester, Lt. Col.Com. John Bawtree.

Tim'

Aurelian - 270-275 A.D

is a bit problematic. When I first looked at the reverse, I said "Aha! one of the Valentinian clan" c. 365-383 A.D. (although it's a bit late for Britain) because the reverse, at first glance, looks so much like the very common GLORIA ROMANORVM type they issued so many of - with the emperor dragging a barbarian and carrying a labarum, but as I look at the obverse, I'm pretty sure from what I seem to be able to read of the legend that it's an antoninianus of Aurelian - 270-275 A.D. I can't be all that sure of the reverse type, but it might well be one of the
numerous ORIENS AVG types of which Aurelian had many, showing Sol in various postures and holding various attributes. Aurelian is significant in that he pulled-together what remained of the empire at a time when
everything had gotten seemingly hoplessly fragmented - the Gallic empire in the northwest and the Kingdom of Palmyra in Syria were only two of the major issues he had to deal with - but deal he did, despite his advanced
age.

2.08g, 17.59mm

Constantine 335-337 A.D 1.38g, 14.06mm

is another GLORIA EXERCITVS - this one is from the mint at Trier, although I can't tell you which of the Constantinians is on the obverse. The ones with a single standard between the soldiers date mostly to the period 335-337 A.D. or shortly thereafter. This is probably one of the 3 sons of Constantine, probably as Caesar just before Constantine's death.

 

Huge bronze 1st to 4thC Roman key 48.36g, 54.94mm L x 34.45mm W x 10.33mm T

Scots Fusilier Guards
( Scots Guards )
Officer - 1856-1877

1610-11 James 1st hammered silver shilling (12 pence)

Bell mint mark 3rd coinage 6th bust- very rare coin as it should have 5th bust with this year and mint mark

5.87g, 32.02mm

Size comparison between Elizabeth 3 farthings and a James 1st shilling

1582-3 Queen Elizabeth hammered silver half groat (2 pence)

Bell mint mark - 5th issue

1561 Queen Elizabeth hammered silver three half penny(1 1/2 pence)

Pheon mint mark - 2nd issue

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

Magnentius ID 3.28g, 19.93mm

This one is either Magnentius or Decentius again - and again, no legend is visible so there's no way to be sure which of the two it is, although Magnentius is a good bit more likely. This is another Centenionalis, and shows clearly the sympathies of the Western Augustus and Caesar for Christianity - there was a good bit of disagreement over just how good an idea Constantine's choice of Christianity was at the time. The Chi-Rho reverse on this and the contemporary double-centenionalis left little doubt about the official position of Magnentius & Decentius.

One piece Navy button

HONI SOIT QUI MAN Y PENSE

PACKET

Honi soit qui mal y pense (Old French: shame upon him who thinks evil of it)

RN - Packet Service
( Mail & Supplies Delivery )

c.1800-1811
Firmin & Co

88th Regiment of Foot
( Connaught Rangers )
O/R's (Pewter) - 1779-1830
Officer (Silver)- 1779-1830

Guardian Insurance company

1876-1894
Firmin & Sons Ld
153 Strand London

Royal Horse Artillery

1888-1889
Smith & Wright Ltd
180 Brearley Street, Birmingham

A complete Romano-Britsh protected loop terret. The loop through which the reins would have passed remains. This consists of a sub-circular sectioned D-shaped attachment loop that is situated beneath a triangular ‘skirt’ that comes down over the loop to the front and back. At each side the skirt ‘flicks-up’ rather like a jesters hat. There are a number of these types of terrets known from Norfolk including the examples from Beighton and Tatterset (31569 and HER 33975). 44.61g, 45.75mm L x 32.50mm H x 28.28mm H

Protected loop terrets are usually considered to be Roman and dating to the late first and second centuries A

Circa 17th century

A slightly convex symmetrical mount with lobed ends, and two integral pointed lugs.

Roman Republican silver coin 126 BC - Oldest coin ever found here

3.50g, 17.12mm

'This one is a Roman Republican denarius of tribune/moneyer N. Fabius Pictor, struck at Rome in 126 B.C (RSC/Babelon - Fabia 11), .
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right, * shape behind head; (monogram form of XVI - indicating the denarius was now worth 16 Asses - it had only recently been retarriffed from its nearly century-long value of 10 Asses) control-letter below chin. (BTW, this coin exhibits the first example of the use of control-letters in the Roman series.)
Rx: N FABI / PICTOR in vertical lines up to left and down to right of helemted and cuirassed figure of the Flamen Quirinalis Q. Fabius Pictor seated left holding apex (high-priest's ceremonial helmet) and spear; shield
inscribed: QVI / RIN at his side; ROMA in exergue.
Syd/CRR 517, SR 144.

This is another really interesting piece, not unlike the odd Greek coin you occasionally turn up, because despite its worn state - showing it was in circulation for quite some time - it's really "too early" of a piece to be in Britain. Unless, somehow, this piece was carried ashore by one of the soldiers of Julius Caesar's ill-fated British expeditions - at which time it would have been nearly 75 years old - it would have had to be bartered for tin or other trade-goods in the pre-Roman era or been part of some hoard or treasure which had been accumulated on the mainland and later transported to Britannia. It would have been very unlikely to be a circulating coin at the time of Claudius' successful invasion - at which time it would have been nearly 175 years old.

So, you're left with it either travelling to Britannia by means unknown c. 100-60 B.C., or possibly having been held as an old and curious good luck piece or similar item by a much later' Roman

Mark

Henry VI hammered silver half groat - initial mark Cross II - satires - annulet in 2 qtrs of reverse - Std F type

rev POSVI DEVM ADITORE MEVR

CIVITAS LONDON - City of London mint

1464/5 Edward IV hammered silver half groat - knot below bust

Rev CIVITAS CANTOR - Canterbury mint

 

4.51g, 26.73mm

obv EDWARD DG ANGL

rev CIVITAS LONDON - City of London mint

Circa 17th century

A diamond symmetrical mount , and two integral pointed lugs.

98th Regiment of Foot

Officer 1824-1855

1625 - 42 Charles 1st hammered silver penny - tower mint uncrowned - rose each side no bust - innner circles Group A

Rare love token bent into S shape (103)

16thC

Triangular mount with a rounded knop at the top and a transverse ridge at the bottom; two icomplete integral lugs.

Circa 16th century

A symmetrical mount with two integral pointed lugs.

Very unusual Romano/British bronze key with rounded finial handle - one for the museum

10.56g, 31.30mm L x 12.00mm dia

 

Huge 1stC Roman bronze "c. 150-160 A.D." 15.28g, 30.10mm x 4.25mm thick

As you say, there's little other than the main types for us to go on here, but my best guess is that it's Faustina I or Sr. (depends on who you read whether she's numbered or given seniority)
She was the wife of Antoninus Pius (138-161 A.D.) and died only 3 years into his reign, in 141 A.D. Consequently, very few of her coins date to her lifetime, but there is an enormous body of posthumous commemorative issues in her honor. She typically has this same characteristic hairdo which is what enables an educated guess, here. At the size and weight this would be an orichalcum Sestertius.
The obverse should read: DIVA FAVSTINA
I think the reverse might be Pietas standing left (legend: AVGVSTA S - C) , sacrificing from patera over short, lighted altar and holding box of incense in left hand, although it could be one of half a dozen different female personifications or deities standing left, holding some object in right hand. If it is Pietas, then it would correspond to: SR 4620, mint of Rome, minted sometime after 147 A.D. - you could say "c. 150-160 A.D." pretty safely about any sestertius in the AVGVSTA series.

Here's a similar sestertius from the same series with Vesta reverse, from my collection you can compare:
http://www.stoa.org/gallery/album93/ML_001_Faustina_I_Vesta_Sest

and this is a dupondius (a little smaller and from a different series) with Pietas reverse:
http://www.stoa.org/gallery/album93/ML23_Faustina_I_Pietas_as

Mark

It's a wrist Torc but what time period ?? 23.19g, 81.95mm W x 3.80mm dia

Initial feedback is it could be Roman - reported as treasure and will go for examination by the museum

1526-32 Henry VIII hammered silver half groat WA beside shield- Warham's Uncertain initial mark (Archbishop William Warham)

1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

15thC Shield of France Jetton

This type of back with no inner circles around the fleur di lis to obverse is not listed in ref books

rare

obv X AVE MARIA + GRACIA

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

0.94g, 15.35mm

Scotland Alexander II 1214-1249 hammered silver half penny

Obv WILLRLMUS REX - King William

Rev PIERES ON RO (112)

1stC BC to 1stC AD Celtic bronze cosmetic wode grinder (used to make blue dye) - side suspension loop type (missing) 3.78g, 33.57mm L x 10.67mm w

See cleaning tips page using the foil method to clean hammered silver

Stunning 1422 -27 Henry VI hammered silver groat (4 pence) Inital cross 2

obv HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HYB

rev outer legend - POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM

inner legend VILLA CASLISIE - Calais Mint

Initail mark incurved pierced cross

Annulet issue - annulets by neck and between two sets of opposing pellets

Victorian Generic Military HQ Staff Officer

Smith & Wright
Birmingham

1840 -81