Monday 24 January 2011

Roman sestersius, Anglesey token and a crotal bell

We had a club dig near Washington yesterday. It was a new farm for us and we checked out some untouched fields. At the bottom of the first field I found my first Roman sestersius, a lovely large coin. 
sestersius, no markings on either side (21.14g, 31.81mm diameter, 4.45mm thick)
I decided to search the area thoroughly and found part of a silver chain with clasp (6.69g), a complete crotal bell and an 1885 halfpenny.
crotal bell (for livestock) 21.9g, 36mm tall, 28mm diameter
Meanwhile others were having a good time on the slope of  the second field. Frank had a lovely halfpenny sized hammered and Kevin a beautiful silver Roman denarius. 
Bob also had this George III bullhead shilling.
Frank's hammered (before and after cleaning)
Kevin's denarius of Domitian (before and after cleaning). 
This coin is in exceptional condition. Domitian ruled 81 to 96AD and his general Agricola attempted to conquer Scotland.

When I searched this area later I found a 1793 Anglesey Mines halfpenny token (diameter = 28.0 to 28.2mm, weight  = 8.92g). This is one denomination of a series of tokens known as Anglesey Druids which were issued by the Parys Mine Company (scrolled letters PMC on obverse). The reverse has the head of a Druid surrounded by  a wreath of leaves. 

see Late 18th Century Tokens (1787- 1797) halfway down this pagehttp://www.predecimal.com/p9tokens.htm

I also found 2 small buttons and  this 11½ ounce lead weight (64mm diam, 20mm (centre) to 11.7mm (edge) thick) with remains of black paint, plus something which looks like a primitive cartridge case, 17.8mm long x 13.7 to 12mm diameter:

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