Ever found a bag seal??

Posted by ricey on January 26, 2007 2:37 PM

There can't be many detectorists out there who have never found a bag seal. These are usually made from lead and come with some nice decorative patterns. I'll try and upload a few photos when I get a moment. Some of the later ones even have company names etc and what had actually been sealed in the bag. Many of these bags were opened on fields because they contained seeds etc and the seal just discarded.

Did you know:

Initialy the bags were shipped low in the ships hold and often water leaked onto them causing the hold to fill with methane.
Once the crew checked the hold with candle lanterns, the ship exploded.
To prevent methane gas the bags then became labled with the following information:-

Ship High In Transit. Hense the acronym S.H.I.T.

So next time you find such a seal you understand why the word above is in capital letters and was being used in such a way hundreds of years ago.

Roman Del Boy made a mint

Posted by ricey on January 26, 2007 2:29 PM

As usual I spend half my life searching the net for Metal Detecting related articles. Here is one that I found about a Roman Day Del Boy - thought it might interest a few of you:-)

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a Roman Del Boy who made a nice little earner selling bogus coins to foreign invaders.
Metal detecting enthusiasts examining farmland in Northumberland, found a hoard of 70 Roman coins dating back to the time before Hadrian built his wall.

Experts from Newcastle University, who examined the coins, discovered native Northumbrians had been melting them down to turn into trinkets.

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Suffolk Coin Hoard

Posted by ricey on January 26, 2007 2:24 PM

Another old hoard story for the record.

Buried Treasure in Suffolk

Suffolk's Paul Flack never expected to stumble upon Britain's largest hoard of third century coins when he left his home for a day of metal detecting.

The Bury St Edmunds Museum is preparing to fight it out for Britain's largest collection of antique copper coins. The treasure was discovered in Suffolk in October when Paul Flack gained permission from a local land owner to do some metal detecting. The coins are the largest legitimate collection of third century coins in Britain, and are very important historically.

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'We're sorry for taking your china from the beach'

Posted by ricey on January 26, 2007 9:59 AM

After my entry yesterday I was glad to read in the Daily Telegraph today that a couple of the so called 'Treasure Hunters' had shown remorse, and were returning some personal possessions from the ship wreck.

Good on ya lads!!!

Three men who took personal possessions belonging to a Swedish woman from the wreckage of the stricken container ship Napoli apologised yesterday for their actions.

Michael Wheeler, 27, Matt Daines, 26, both builders, and Oliver Morgan, 19, an apprentice bricklayer, who live near the wreck in east Devon, said they regretted that they had gone to Branscombe Beach.

The trio, who were photographed in The Daily Telegraph this week picking through the possessions, asked the newspaper to help them return the crockery and other items that were in a crate belonging to Anita Bokdal.

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Historical burial ground saved

Posted by ricey on January 26, 2007 9:49 AM

A historical burial ground in Norwich will remain undisturbed thanks to the careful design of a new city centre development.

After the demolition of the old Thorndick and Dawson print works on Pottergate, the site is ready to be turned into 18 luxury flats.

But because part of the site includes an 18th century Baptist chapel and associated cemetery, Jetspark, the company behind the scheme, is making sure the sites archaeological history remains as intact as possible.

When the flats go up, the area where the chapel and cemetery once stood will be paved over, meaning the valuable archaeology remain untouched.

Anthony Pettifor on behalf of Jetspark, promised: "There is nothing that will have to be removed. It was known that there was a Baptist chapel and an early cemetery on the sit and the design accounts for that. It is a statutory obligation that we have to advertise the fact

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Papers focus on ship scavengers

Posted by ricey on January 25, 2007 10:20 PM

Must admit I was sorry to hear on the news this week of scavengers plundering the ship wreck off Devon. As a Treasure Hunter myself I would never dream of taking items from ships cargo, when you actually know who it belongs too. There is a vast difference between walking along the shoreline picking up coins etc and treasures washed ashore during storms. However to actually empty cargo containers when you know who they actually belong to is going too far, in my opinion.

A number of these people also left endless amounts of rubbish on the beach which will take months to clear up. I felt ashamed looking at the way these lovely beaches, of which I have spent many a year holidaying, were left looking untidy, dirty and neglected. I hope the beaches are cleaned up soon, and they get back to the way they were.

Genuine Treasure Hunters spend hours trying to find rings that people have lost, with little or no reward. They also document their finds. Please don't get us confused with these scavengers!!!

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Club News

Posted by ricey on January 25, 2007 9:16 PM

I'm hearing back from the rally at Marbury that about 8 hammered coins, 6 roman, the usual coins, roman brooches were found. I also hear that one member found 5 terret rings in one hole.

I also here that there was a nice Chrles 1st Shilling and acoin weight found.

I will update on here with any more info I have along with photos when they bewcome available.

I love Cut Hammereds

Posted by ricey on January 25, 2007 7:19 PM

Those of you who have been reading this blog, will know I have a passion for very early cut hammereds. These coins originally started off as a full coin but were cut in order to get a lower currency. So a penny would be cut in half to get a half penny and in quarters to get a farthing.

Hammered coins are found regular by metal detectorists. These cut hammereds are not rare, however they are difficult to find. The sheer size of the coins make the job of finding them difficult. Unless you are on newly ploughed field which has recently been rolled it is difficult to find them. Cut halves are difficult, go one further and try and find a cut quarter it is even harder.
It often takes a very experienced detector user to find such coins. In 25 years of detecting and having found many lovely finds ranging from Celtic to Modern Day I have only ever found three cut hammereds. This included a small cut quarter. I've also been on outings were Scottish Cut Hammereds were found.

Below is a fantastic example of a lovely Scottish coin from the reign of
Alexander III 1249-86 transitional coinage, class 1b cut long cross halfpenny, struck at Berwick

This is a scarce coin and in lovely condition.

It was found by a fellow detectorist in Essex using a Minelab Explorer II

If I'd found this I'd be extremely proud of it.

Spink Acheives unprecedented prices for banknotes of hong kong and China at auction

Posted by ricey on January 20, 2007 1:49 PM

Today London based auction house, Spink, hosted a full house for the Fine Banknotes of Hong Kong and China sale at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. The auction benefited from a first in the Far East, Spink Live, a live audio/video platform allowing collectors from around the globe to bid as if they were in the room. The result was fantastic with prices soaring to unprecedented levels for Chinese and Hong Kong Banknotes. The sale realized a total of over HK$8 million.

Highlights Included:

Lot 2121, Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London & China, unissued $25, 18- (c.1958)

Sold for HK$ 782,000

Lot 2032, Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, $25, 1 December 1884, serial number 38000)

Sold for HK$ 736,000

Lot 2049, Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, specimen $100, 18- (c.1890)

Sold for HK$ 598,000

Lot 1708, Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, unissued 50 taels, Shanghai, 18-

Sold for HK$ 448,500

Lot 2033, Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, specimen $50, 1 January 1923,

Sold for HK$ 149,500

Titanic Cover with a tragic tale Sells at Spink for £5,980

Posted by ricey on January 20, 2007 1:43 PM

A recovered postal slip from the Titanic sold at Spink yesterday for £5,980. The piece survived the catastrophic sinking of the Titanic thanks to one man – Oscar Woody, the mail clerk on the ship.

On the evening of the 14th April 1912 Woody and his colleagues took a break from their post room duties to celebrate Woody’s 44th birthday. During the festivities the Titanic collided with a giant iceberg and the post clerks dashed back to the post room only to find it already knee deep in water. Before jumping into icy water Woody did his best to save as much mail from the ship as he could. Oscar Woody was found dead on an iceberg clutching the bag of mail he abandoned ship with.

It is estimated that there were over 3400 bags of mail that sank with the Titanic which would have contained over 7 million letters, registered mail and packages with perhaps over $150,000 in money orders having ended up on the ocean’s floor.

Courtesy of http://www.spink.com

Treasure find for prospector James

Posted by ricey on January 15, 2007 10:09 AM

A BRACELET unearthed in a Warburton field has been identified as a rare piece of ancient Roman jewellery.

Amateur prospector James Balme came across the unusual find as he scoured the recently harvested land on the outskirts of the village.

The serpent shaped silver bangle was sticking out of the ground and with the knowledge procured through a long held interest in metal detecting and archaeology, James knew instantly he had found something of historical value.

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And his hunch was confirmed by coroner John Pollard as he declared the item to be treasure at an inquest held last Thursday.

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Metal Detecting finds found in St Albans

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 2:20 PM

Here are some lovely photos of recent metal detecting finds found in St Albans:-

18 carat gold hallmarked early 1800`s gold pocket watch case, inscribed E J Dents.

22 carat gold hallmarked plaque, inscription says Ernest Platt Wellington Club, possibly 1800`s but unsure.

22 carat gold bevelled wedding band, hallmarked, unsure of the date.

A brooch posy, pin and stones missing, still very pretty and can be restored.

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I often hear fellow detectorists comment that they prefer to come across a 'find' rather than a coin. They say there is more of an appeal because of the personal history behind the item. A typical example would be the plaque from the Wellington Club. What on earth was that doing in a farmers field in St albans???

Roman treasure found in pond dig

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 10:13 AM

Another old story but one I need to document for research purposes. Those who read my blog regularly will know that I am at present recording a number of old hoards in order to get an online database.

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A man unearthed a priceless hoard of 20,000 Roman coins as he dug a new fishpond in his back garden.
Experts say the money may date from the 4th Century and could be the biggest find of its kind in Britain.

The coins were crammed into a ceramic pot which broke up as it was dug out of the ground at Thornbury, South Gloucestershire.

Now a coroner must decide if Ken Allen, who made the discovery, can keep the treasure.

Gail Boyle, from Bristol Museum, said: "This is the most amazing find of treasure to come out of this area for 30 years."

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Roman treasure discovered on farm

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 10:08 AM

Another old hoard story but worth a mention in the archives

Roman treasure discovered on farm

Farm contractors have unearthed 2,000 Roman coins beneath a field at a farm near Carmarthen.
The coins, which date from late Roman times, have been categorised as "treasure".

They contain a small amount of silver, but experts have not yet put a value on the find.

The exact location of the discovery is being kept secret to protect the site from treasure hunters. The HM Coroner has been informed.

The coins are thought to have been lying just 12 inches beneath the surface of a field.

Full Story

Schoolboy's Roman coins sold

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 9:58 AM

This is an old story dating back to 2001 however as I am researching old coin hoards it is one I would like to put on record. As i find out more information I will add this to the details below.

A hoard of approx 1,200 gold, silver and copper Roman coins found by a schoolboy was bought by the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes. The coins had been in a plain pottery jar.
The so-called "Stanchester hoard", worth £50,000, was discovered by John Philpotts in a field.

A coroner's inquest in Swindon declared the coins were "a treasure".

Roman coins declared treasure trove

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 9:55 AM

Another old hoard story

A collection of Roman coins and a gold ring dating back to the 17th Century have been declared treasure trove at an inquest in Shrewsbury.
Once experts have valued the items, they will be put on sale and Shrewsbury Museums is hoping to raise enough funds to keep them in the county.

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Coin hoard declared treasure!!

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 9:51 AM

Another Hoard for my archives.

The largest hoard of Iron Age gold and silver coins ever found in Britain has been officially declared treasure.
More than 3,000 coins were found by a group of amateur archaeologists while out walking near Market Harborough, Leicestershire, nearly three years ago.

The find, which pre-dates the Roman invasion of 43 AD also includes a Roman cavalry helmet, suggesting the original owner may have travelled to the continent.

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Old Roman coins dug up in field

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 9:47 AM

Another old story for the hoard archive

A handful of ancient Roman coins have been dug up in a playing field in West Wickham, near Bromley, south London.
The artefacts may have been thrown into water for good luck by superstitious Romans, an archaeologist suggested.

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Henry VIII coin sells for £22,500

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 9:45 AM

A rare 500-year-old coin from a private Cumbrian home has been auctioned for £22,500 - 10 times more than expected.
The silver medallion, which commemorates Henry VIII becoming head of the Protestant church in 1542, was expected to sell for £2,000 to £3,000.

Full story

North Devon treasure find

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 9:42 AM

An old story from 2001 but certainly one for the archives on this blog

Hundreds of rare coins have been discovered buried in the foundations of a North Devon house. The treasure is going to be examined by experts but initial indications show they're worth at least £10,000. There are more than 400 coins in the hoard.

Nine of the coins that were discovered are James the First gold sovereigns. Others are groats, sixpences and shillings from the time of Elizabeth the First and Charles the First.

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Field discovery declared treasure

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 9:17 AM

A piece of metal uncovered in a field in Cheshire has been revealed as an ancient Roman bracelet.
Amateur archaeologist James Balme, from Glazebrook, near Warrington, uncovered the artefact in a field in the nearby village of Warburton.

The bracelet, which is in the shape of a serpent, was declared as treasure trove by Stockport Coroner John Pollard at an inquest on Thursday.

It means the 2,000-year-old bracelet now belongs to the Crown.

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Metal-detecting finds up by 20 per cent in a year!!

Posted by ricey on January 14, 2007 9:11 AM

For most treasure seekers the promising glint of a gold coin in the garden has turned out on closer inspection to be a rusting bottle top. However, a report to be published this week will show that more buried treasure than ever is being reported found in the UK by amateur archaeologists armed with metal detectors.

The number of reported valuable finds has increased by nearly 20 per cent in the last year, with discoveries including iron age and medieval hoards, Roman coins and exquisite examples of Anglo-Saxon jewellery.

The official report will show that thousands of finds are being reported each year and that 506 discoveries were significant enough to be declared as treasure trove. The remarkable increase has caused huge excitement among museums and in government.

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