Metal detecting holidays in England with the World's most successful metal detecting club.

Twinned with Midwest Historical Research Society USA

 

Sept 2008 finds page 1

 

19thC Livery button

 

 
19thC 1 shilling Spittalfields Market token - P.T.Hill
15thC lead token - long cross and pellet type
Very unusual 15thC lead token with Lombardric writing in the quadrants - needs more research
20thC Eastern Counties bus button
Georgian bell type trade weight - hallmarked Crown G
Post mdedieval cloth seal

Miltary badge ?

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

CSA ?? Needs reserching
No gold in this issue - the Romans may have used copper to debase gold (although, interestingly, unlike with the silver, they tended not to do this very much and instead struck smaller rather than debased gold coins in times of economic emergency) It certainly would have been "silvered", however - when new it would have had a wash of shiny white metal over the surface - this coating didn't last long and finding specimens of this era with any more than a trace of their silvering intact is very unusual. 
 
This is "The Unfortunate Crispus", as history tends to style him.  This eldest son of Constantine the Great by his 1st wife (before he was forced, for political reasons, to divorce her and marry Maximian's daughter) Crispus was having a brilliant career as a soldier and was extremely popular with the people.  Constantine's 2nd wife (as the story goes) mother of the future emperors Constantine II, Constans and Constantius II, plotted to get rid of Crispus to clear the way for one or more of her sons to succeed Constantine.  After she connived in concocting a story of rape and treason against Crispus, Constantine had him excecuted (there's some question here whether Crispus' popularity and military successes might not have been at least part of the great pragmatist, Constantine's, decision to do away with his own son).
 
Later, when Fausta's complicity in the plot was exposed, he had her sealed in a bath with a hypocaust beneath it, then had the fire stoked until she was boiled to death like a lobster.
 
This piece, from the Vota series, was struck at Siscia in 320 AD. The legends are thus:
Obv: IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES Laureate head right
Rx: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM around wreath, VOT / V within; GSIS (Siscia, 3rd officina) in exergue. RIC VII 151.
 
The "VOT V" is in proclamation of Crispus' undertaking the vows of his 5th year as a Caesar.  The Emperor as Pontifex Maximus and "heirs apparent" Caesars as high priests of the State religion (despite Constantine and his family's official recognition of Christianity) undertook vows to perform certain ceremonies and sacrifices at various intervals (usually every 5 and/or 10 years) as sort of a bargain with the gods - "I'll faithfuly attend to doing these sacrifices for you if you'll keep me alive and in power for another 5 (or 10) years."  Often appearing on reverses as merely VOT / V / MVLT / X (or X & XX, or XX & XXX, etc) within a wreath, this one honors the 3 Caesars created simultaneously 5 yrs before, Crispus, Constantine II, and Licinius II.
 
Mark
Roman bronze artefact - Looks like this is the bow part of a fibular brooch but I think it is a small Roman votive offering pot leg - researching it more
Medieval lead petal mount
George Rex button
18thC crotal bell with foundry mark
19thC silver clasp
Georgian harness pendant
Military button - not check ref books yet
Post medieval alnage cloth seal
Silver overlaid Life guards button ??

Roman 1st C bronze sent off for ID 21.64g, 33.15mm

From the size and weight, it's a sestertius.  From the outline and what I think I make of the letter-seriphs, it's Antoninus Pius.  I can't really say much more about it with no reverse visible and none of the obverse legend clearly readable.
 
Mark

 
Henry VI 1422-27 Hammered silver half groat - Calais mint - Annulet issue - annulets by neck and between two sets of opposing pellets 21.18mm, 1.79g

Edward III 1344-51 hammered silver florin penny

Obv EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1.28g, 17.84g
1582-4 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver penny - A mintmark 6th issue

Circa 10thC Saxon gilded mount with 4 rivet fixing

9.76g, 34.49mm x 5.38mm T

Prince of Wales feathers military button

Not checked the ref books yet

 15th C lead token - petal type
Really neat 19thC copper bare nuckle boxing statue

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
 
Military button - not check ref books yet
  
1816 George III silver shilling forgery

Never seen one of these Victorian 'model' one pennies, neat find

'They were a suggested design by Joseph Moore and made in either 1844 or 1848 to replace the heavy coinage then in circulation. According to Peck, the inner part was supposed to be in silver to compensate for the small intrinsic copper value but those produced in the greatest numbers had a copper outer ring and an inner part made of approximately 60% zinc / 40% nickel according to Freeman who analysed the metal composition of many coins. They were never adopted '
19thC silver cufflink
Circa 10th C Saxon bridal cheek piece fragment
19thC Victorian silver watch back
Army lapel badge
19thC livery button
Huge Roman 'grots'

This our 2nd 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

19thC livery button

BM - W. Bowler Superior quality

Not in ref books
Surrey commercial docks
1845 Victorian milled silver shilling

Edward III 1344-51 hammered silver florin penny

Obv EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

16.74mm, 0.99g
1920 George V milled silver sixpence (2)
19thC livery button - stags head
Roman bronze knife pommel - some of the iron tang remains
Huge medieval bronze pot leg

19thC livery button

Jennings and Co London

1832-1912
Georgian harness shield mount
 
Roman lead trade token
  
1770's pattern 18 shilling coin weight - S18
1560 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 3 pence

 
1500 BC Middle Bronze age Falstave axe 134.9mm L x 58.34mm W, 330g

As dug

Cooked

 

 

Early Roman silver coin in the 'cooker' to remove the horn silver crust 17.87mm, 3.01g

This is a Tiberius Denarius of the so-called "Tribute Penny" type - reverse is Livia (his mother, the presumed poisoner of many of the Julio-Claudians) seated right. This was virtually the only type of denarius issued by Tiberius over his long reign from 14-37 AD. You have had at least one specimen of this type before, about which I wrote at some length if I recall correctly, so I would refer you to my earlier description and explanation of the type.
 
Mark

 
16th C Elizabeth 1st prohibited lead tavern pieces - glass and bottle
16th C Elizabeth 1st prohibited lead tavern pieces - bottle flowing into glass
16thC Tudor fretwork button
17thC hooked mount
17thC nipple button

Facinating Roman brooch find - It is a trumpet brooch style on a plate brooch fitting - not in any ref books so one for the museum

13.74g, 31.75 H x 16.79mm W
Roman lead domed top spindle whorl
Medieval lead spindle whorl
No idea yet what this lead object is but from a Roman area
Post medieval lead cloth seal
19thC livery button
Roman open looped dolphin buckle fragment
17thC lead token
17thC lead token
1856 Victorian milled silver six pence
1770's pattern 18 shilling coin weight - S18
1817 George 1st milled silver six pence (4)
1817 George 1st milled silver six pence (5)
17thC lead token
17thC spur
Post medieval cloth seal
19thC livery button
17thC petal mount with single integral lug
Victorian Gold jewelry clasp (Reading's patent)
18thC lead sewing egg

 
Victorian silver pendant Birmingham 1898 hallmark
Huge decorated 18thC Crotal bell next to the gold clasp for size

3500 BC Neolithic flint axe 78.52mm L x56.74 mm L

RN Capt / Commander - 1812
RN Lieutenant - 1812
RN Midshipman - 1812
RN Volunteer Gr.I - 1812
After this issue a Midshipman
will have the Captain's style

Post medieval plain lead cloth seal
1920 George V milled silver florin (24 pence) (6)
1943 George VI milled silver shilling (12 pence)
3 slick 'willys' 1696 William III worn milled silver sixpences (10)
 
1817 George 1st milled silver shilling (11)
Georgian giled cuff link
  

Edward III 1344-51 hammered silver florin penny

Obv EDWARR ANGL DNS HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

1.30g, 18.0 mm
1834 French Philippe I milled silver 1/4 franc
1836 William IV milled silver shilling
1922 George V milled silver sixpence
1945 George V milled silver six pence (14)
1634 Charles 1st hammered silver half groat ( 2 pence)

Very unusual style Romano/British loop terret 12.08g, 35.06mm L x 15.25mm W - One for the museum to look at further

 

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

 

1351-2 Edward III hammered silver groat - Series C, mint mark cross 1, Letters C & E closed - Lombardic M

obv E ***** DG.REX.ANGL.FRANC.****

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

27.7mm, 4.08g
 

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

1938 George V milled silver sixpence
1894 Victorian milled silver 3 pence (17)
1808 Dutch provences 1/16th of a skilling
Toy pistol - shame it was not a real one
17thC lead token
17thC hooked clothing fastener
Navy button - not checkec ref books yet
1550-1650 buckle
 1572 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 3 pence - Ermine mint mark 4th issue

1247 AD Henry III hammered silver voided long cross penny 17.71mm, 1.32g

Unrecorded bust type similar to Class 1b- no mitre double pellet beard -cresent initial mark

Obv LIE/TER/C(I:/LVN -London

1218 Henry III hammered silver short cross penny, Class 7a 17.18mm, 1.25g,

obv HENRI ON CANTE (Henri- Cantebury mint)

1472 Edward IV hammered silver groat Type 10 , initial mark sun both sides, trefoils by neck, long cross fitchee

obv EDWARD DIA.REX.ANGL.Z.FRANC

Rev CIVI/TAS/LON/DON - London mint

25.18mm, 2.79g
1727 George II milled silver 6 pence love token (18)

Huge Roman bronze, just sent it off for ID 32.57mm, 14.43g

It's smallish, weight-wise, for this, but the diameter is in the right range for it - I'm pretty sure it's a Sestertius of Trajan. 
 
Or, let me put it this way - I'm sure it's Trajan (98-117 AD), but there is some room for questioning the denomination, since as a Sestertius it should weigh in the vicinity of 20+gm. 
 
14gm is a bit on the heavy side (but not completely out of the question) for an As or Dupondius, but the diameter is really too large for either. Also, on a Dupondius the bust would have a radiate crown - this specimen has a laurel-wreath.  Asses tend to be a bit lighter than Dupondii, hence it's even less likely to be an As, but it "works" best as a lightweight Sestertius.
 
Mark

 
Medieval strap end with 2 rivet fixings
Military bale seal ?
1640's Gun powder measure and cap
1550-1650 buckle
17thC button
1554 Mary hammered silver groat
1550-1650 buckle
Cast copper alloy double loop oval buckle

c1500 -1650

1641-3 Charles 1st hammered silver penny - mintmark 2 dots

'triangle and circle' King had left London and Parliament stuck these coins
1570 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 6 pence - castle mint mark

Roman harness ring
19thC Mogul copper coin
Interesting clay pipe stem with writing
1932 George V milled silver sixpence (19)
17thC lead token - rider on horse
Georgian watch winder
Interesting post medieval lead bale seal with cross impression

Roman copper coin with good bust outline- 4.78g,25.46mm Sent for ID

 
The size indicates an As or a Dupondius - a Dupondius, however, like a Sestertius, would have been made of "orichalcum" - a naturally-occuring and not-necessarily consistent form of brass.  The Romans did not recognize zinc as a separate metal and lacked the technology necessary to make brass from elemental copper and zinc in controlled proportions even if they had been aware of zinc.  Orichalcum, like brass in general, tends to do better under wet and otherwise corrosive conditions than copper.  Asses, however, were made from nearly pure copper.  The weight of this specimen is way outside of the standard deviation - way too light even for the underweight local copies of Imperial Roman coins.  It has obviously lost in the vicinity of half of its original weight to corrosion and/or mineral leaching. 
 
I can't be certain whether it was originally an officially issued, or a contemporary copy of an Imperial As, but the portrait seems to be of Antoninus Pius.  I doubt it could be anyone else, since his short beard can appear like a bare chin.  Imperial beards came into style with Hadrian and all emperors after that time were bearded, right up through the time that copper Asses became very scarce and went out of use in the early-mid 3rd century - usually all had beards long enough not to be mistaken for a bare chin but Pius is shown with his beard very short.  The shape of the head is just not right for Trajan or any of the Flavians, nor is the style right for any of the clean-shaven Julio-Claudians.
 
Mark

 
19thC livery button
1696 William III milld silver sixpence (20)
16th C Elizabeth hammered silver groat

1217 Henry III hammered silver short cross 1/2 penny - class 6b2

Moneyer Pieres of London

19thC livery button
19thC hunting button

Wolf Lauffer II 1612-1651 German Jetton master

This Jetton is dated to 1640

Diademed bust of Louis XIV right - LVS.XIIII.D.G:FR.ET.NAV:REX

Rev Crowned French shield (bearing 3 Lis)WOLF LAVFER RECHPF: MACH IN N:B
Military button - not checked ref books yet
1880 pattern Prussian Army button
Army lapel badge
18thC Royal navy button
Post medieval lead prism standing weight
Post medieval gaming counter
18thc lead sewing palm guard
Medieval lead face mount
Medieval lead gamming token
Georgian lead tobacco jar lid handle
Life Guards regiment pre 1902
17thC hammered copper trade farthing - William Moore bays maker of Colchester Essex, Ref Norweb 1202a
16thC French Jetton with 3 Fleur de Lis - not checked ref books yet
Scottish regiment button with thistle- not checked ref books yet
C10th C Saxon bridal cheek piece fragment
Interesting Roman period decorated stirrup looking plate - traces of silver gilding remains- one for the museum

Roman bronze sent for ID - 25.23mm, 5.48g

Another damaged, fragmentary and probably mineral-leached As.  This one appears to be Antoninus Pius again- 138-161 AD - and the reverse has a standing figure, if you know which way to align it.  I believe the standing figure of which we see the middle of the torso is Antoninus himself, togate, and sacrificing over an altar which is not quite visible to the left of the "S" from the S - C in the fields.
 
If it's the type I think it is, it dates to 148 AD.

 
Roman harness loop
Medieval silver hawking bell fragment - reported as treasure to the museum
Interesting 18thC spur with no spick or wheel type rowel
Georgian coin weight - Crown G London hallmark
18thC Casket key fragment
20thC Generic Merchant navy button
Post medieval lead cloth seal with portcullis impression- probably 16thC Tudor
RN Capt / Commander - 1787
RN Lieutenant - 1787
1928 George V milled silver sixpence (21)
18thC lead sewing palm guard
17thC nipple button
18thC lead sewing palm guard
Silver plated Georgian cufflink
1550-1650 spur buckle
Fascinating hammered copper coin - not English - needs research
WWII bomb fragment ??
18thC clog fastener
Medieval strap end with 3 rivet fixings
18thC crotal bell with 'I' Foundry mark
Superb find, American Rev Wars period 33rd Regiment of foot button - Officers
Neat relic, 18thC musket ramrod guide
1945 American silver coin
1771 Dutch copper coin
1817 George III milled silver sixpence (23)
1696 William III milled silver six pence (24)

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 )
19thC Copper alloy spur design brooch
I thought this was turn of the century in date but looking at it closely I am not so sure- one for the museum to look at
Medieval hammered silver penny
1561 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver three pence - Pheon mintmark
17thC copper alloy mount
19thC livery button
1822 Swedish copper coin
Georgian button
Georgian spiral button
Large Roman bronze sent for ID - not sure if there is enough detail left to make a guess as to it's date
1797 George III cartwheel penny
1929 George V milled silver shilling (25)
1928 George V milled silver sixpence (26)
17thC dated jetton 16 ?? , 2.37g, 24.67mm - not checked ref books yet
Roman bronze coin send for ID 0.89g,13.97mm

Roman bronze coin sent for ID 16.78mm dia, 4.48g, 3.2mm Thick

This could be a coin weight as it is very thick
1838 Victorian milled silver groat (4 pence) (27)
1820 Dutch copper skilling coin
Medieval harness ring
1550 -1650 buckle
1634 Charles 1st hammered copper rose farthing
16thC Tudor rose mount with 2 integral lugs
16thC hammered silver 3 pence
17thC mount with 2 integral lugs
Post medieval strap or cord end
19thC livery button
1865 East India Company 1 Anna India coin
19thC livery button
20th lead toy soldier
Georgian clock key
RN Master - 1807-1825
RN Ass't Master - 1807-1825
RN Volunteer Gr.II - 1824-1825
In use 1807 - 1825
In Gilt
Note: Anchors below stock
Unusual 19thC silver button

1272 Edward 1st hammerd silver penny- Cross Potent

Obv EDWAR AN ***** HYB

Rev CIVI/TAS/** Possible Duram mint
17thC lead navy token
Musket balls Casting Sprue
Georgian harness shield mount
Early 17thC nipple button
1634 Charles 1st hammered silver six pence
16thC Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 3 pence
1604-19 James 1st hammered silver half groat