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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'

1645 Charles 1st hammered silver shilling - eye mintmark Tower mint
1603-4 James 1st hammered silver half penny - 1st coinage
Size comparison between a Charles 1st hammered silver shilling and a James 1st hammered silver half penny

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
C 8th/9thC decorated Saxon strap end fragment - 3 rivet fixings 1.53g, 23.38mm L x 9.97mm W

C15thC Medieval strap end 5.07g, 31.17mm L x13.28 mm w
Possible Roman Twisted wire ring, copper alloy with traces of gilding remaining - one for the museum
36.44mm W

15thC Medieval open top thimble
Very early bronze Romano/British dagger quillion- one for the museum
Large 16thC lead trade weight - Elizabeth 1st - Crown E 31.69mm dia , 50.71g
1662 John Lawerence of Colchester hammered copper trade farthing

French Infanterie de ligne (1871-1916)

AM & Co Paris

Roman lead trade weight 56.39g, 38.54mm dia
17thC decorated button
Corporation button - London ?
1stC Roman Dolphine type fibula brooch
French Navy
Interesting lead shield with lettering
Looks like a seal ring pipe damper but it is a 18thC candle holder handle
Medieval finger ring
17thC lead trade token
17thC lead trade token
17thC lead trade token
14thC hammered silver penny
1887 Victorian milled silver shilling made into a brooch
18thc buckle
17thC spur rowell
1247 AD
Henry III voided long cross hammered silver penny (73)
Medieval buckle with integral chape decorated with a dancing bear
Scottish George II copper halfpenny
1906 Edward VII milled silver sixpence
Germany Navy Pre-1918
Medieval spur rowell
17thC mount with 2 integral lugs
18thC spur

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

Neat 18thC button
Circa 17th century Fleur-de-lis stud; two integral attachment spikes.
Neat 18thC button
20thC Irish Army button

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

Commodus 184 A.D

'is an As of Commodus. This son of Marcus Aurelius was a fairly crazy bad guy who should never have been emperor, but wasn't probably quite the craven wacko that Joaquin Phoenix portrayed him as in the colorful but wildly historically inaccurate "Gladiator" - for one thing, he certainly didn't kill his father to become emperor - he had been co-emperor since 177 A.D. - 3 years before Aurelius' demiseCommodus did, in fact, appear in the arena in his later life - slaughtering wild beasts - and apparently thought he was Hercules re-incarnate.The obverse reads (or should) : M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIVS. Laureate head right. -
Rx:: TRP VIIII IMP VI COS IIII PP S - C. Minerva standing right, resting on spear and shield.
This one dates to 184 A.D., mint of Rome - catalog: RIC III 428, & SR 5894'

6.04g,
23.64mm
1817 George III milled silver shilling (12 pence)
18thC toy cannon
17thC silver toggle fastener with initials AB - 2.69g, 24.94mm L x 14.48mm W - reported as treasure
French Infanterie de ligne (1871-1916)
Circa 17th century Fleur-de-lis stud; two integral attachment spikes.
Early Decorated Medieval silver bodkin needle with initial reversed 'R'- reported as treasure
19thC livery button
Button with harp ?
15thC bronze open top thimble
Medieval decorated D buckle
Britain's Merchant Navy
Generic Design Issue
In use 1900 's onwards
17thC 1 dram apothecary weight
Newport Corporation Transport
'The Kings' regiment badge

10- 40AD Cunobelin silver 1/4 stater - very rare find

'cooking' it to remove crust

 

'Many thanks for this one. As I'm sure you already know it's a Cunobelin type, quite a scarce one too. The catalogue reference is VA 1949, and there are 29 of them in the online CCI:

http://www.finds.org.uk/CCI/images-lister.php?&VA_type=1949.01

The obverse is pretty much unvaried throughout the type, with a simple CVN inscription in a panel, but the reverse has at least three different options in the placing of the inscription below the animal (which is probably a hunting dog). I think I can see the top of the M of CAM, for Camulodunum, on this one, but it will be easier to see when the coin is cleaned. I would also expect it to lose a bit of weight then, since 1.41g is about 0.15g heavier than usual for the type.

I would guess the date of this type is fairly early in Cunobelin's reign, perhaps c. 15 - 20 AD. I'll record this one as CCI 07.1134.'


Philip

1578 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 3 pence - Fourth issue, Greek cross mintmark
1565 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 6 pence - Third issue, Rose mintmark
2ndC Roman silver coin in poor shape
1.65g, 16.19mm

 

'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'

1594-6 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 1 pence - Fifth issue, Tun mintmark
1582-3 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver half groat (2 pence) - Fifth issue, Bell mintmark
1649 Commonwealth hammered silver half groat (2 pence)

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'.

Dozens of WWI - WWII USA GI buttons turning up
French Infanterie de ligne (1871-1916)
1928 George V milled silver sixpence
16thC spur buckle
WWII German Navy Kreigsmarine Button

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

The Rifle Brigade lead mount
Stunning 1554 Mary hammered silver groat (4 pence)
1575 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver penny - 3rd issue Eglantine mint mark
1844 Victorian milled silver sixpence

'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'

Circa 11000 BC Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic) flint axe head - one for the museum to evaluate

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.

1943 George VI milled silver halfcrown (30 pence)

 

1921 George V milled silver halfcrown (30 pence)

1696 William III milled silver shilling - small crown type
Circa 1400 -1500 This is a facinating buckle as it has serrated left edge and decoration which I have not seen before. The flange is very wide. These are normally Medieval in date but this could be earlier as it has a large amount of rot.

 

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

Romano/British mount
38.68g, 55.64mm L x 15.43mm W x33.39mm H
1649 Commonwealth hammered silver half groat ( 2 pence)
15thC lead long cross token
Navy button- not checked ref books yet

Nice early decorated crotal bells - Virgina John has found 4 this week LOL
Stunning 16thC Tudor clothing fastener with serpents head - first one of that type found here
Great button - not researched it yet
Georgian fob seal
Small clevis pin - possible Romano/British
1858 Victorian milled silver sixpence
Really neat
Mid 18thC silver cufflinks
Scots Fusilier Guards
( Scots Guards )
Officer - 1856-1877
Navy button - similar to Trinity House pilot - not checked ref books yet
Small tool with suspension loop
20thC swan mount
Button with harp design
1649 Commonwealth hammered silver half groat ( 2 pence)
1669 Weymouth Dorset - Francis Reed, Grocer, hammered copper trade farthing
1656 Samuel Salter of Dedham hammered Copper trade farthing
1855 Victoria Prince of Whales model half sovereign - first one I have seen

Huge Georgian copper alloy mount with hound heads decoration - single mount fixing
Celtic harness bridal cheek pice
1662 Jacob Miller of Colchester hammered copper trade farthing
19thC hunting livery button
Mid 18thC silver cufflink

Circa 1500 - 1650 buckle
Georgian watch winders
Not sure if this is natural or Stone age - one for the museum to evaluate

18thC decorated clog fastener
15thC lead token - star and pellet type
17th/18thC 1/2 dram apothecary weight
17thC Fleur de Lis mount with 2 integral lugs
17thC lead cloth seal - not researched it yet
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
1649 Commonwealth hammered silver one pence
Very rare find - Queen Anne 1711 milled silver sixpence love token in stunning condition - Late shield type
1553-4 Queen Mary hammered silver groat (4 pence)

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

1591-5 Queen Elizabeth hammered silver half groat (2 pence)

Tun mint mark - 5th issue

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

Bell mint mark - 5th issue

1567 Queen Elizabeth hammered silver 3 pence

Coronet mint mark - 3rd issue

1307- 1327 Edward II hammered silver penny class 11b

Obv EDWAR R ANGL DNS HYB

Rev CIVITAS CANTOR - Canterbury mint

Letter C has distinctive angular back

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

Pheon mint mark - 2nd issue

1475 Dutch -Karel de Stoute -hammered silver DOUBLE STUIVER
16thC Decorated Tudor button
Medieval decorated chess pawn with animal head
1853 Victorian milled silver sixpence
1586 Hans Krauwincel II Rose orb Jeton

HANNS KRAVWINCKEL IN NVRENB

1664 William Hurbert of Harwich Essex hammered copper trade farthing
1665 William Ferris of Colchester hammered copper trade farthing

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.

Circa 1600 - 1700 spur buckle
Interesting gilded and decorated clothing fastener and not one in the reference books, Probably Tudor but needs to be looked at by the museum as it could be earlier.
1199 King John hammered silver cut half penny
17thC spur rowell
17thC sword hanger
C17thC Lead hanging trade weight

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

1580 Elizabeth 1st hammered silver 3 pence - Latin cross min mark - 4th issue
88th Regiment of Foot
( Connaught Rangers )
O/R's (Pewter) - 1779-1830
Officer (Silver)- 1779-1830

C 1300 - 1400 Stunning cast copper alloy decorated single looped buckle with projecting recurved spurs and buckle plate with rivet fixings

Guardian Insurance company

1876-1894
Firmin & Sons Ld
153 Strand London

Georgian solid gold cufflink
1660 -1720 Decorated knee buckle
1500 -1650 buckle
Complete 17thC decorated sword hanger - 3 rivet fixing
UNITED KINGDOM
C & D Line Ltd.
Commonwealth &
Dominion Line
In use 1914 - 1937 ?
George III milled silver sixpence
Royal Horse Artillery

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

York & Lancaster Regiment - In use from 1881
Britain's Merchant Navy
Generic Design Issue
In use 1900 's onwards
RN Capt / Commander - 1787
RN Lieutenant - 1787
20thC girl guides badge
Titled family liver buttun
Medieval lead pilgrims ampulla - East Anglian type with petal design
1649 Commonwealth hammered silver two pence

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

Silver chain and decorative mount - possibly 16thC Tudor - reported to museum as potential treasure 2.26g, 11.19mm dia, 24.33mm chain length
Medieval
15thC open top thimble
Fretwork Georgian watch winder
Possible Roman bronze hanging weight
George II trade weight - Crown G - London hall mark
1695 William III copper half penny
Boars head hunting button
Medieval ring brooch fragment
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

1422 -1427

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