Friday Update: 10 June 2022

June 10, 2022 Peter

Editorial

One of the joys of metal detecting is unearthing the unusual and speculating on its purpose and the people who may have come into contact with it. A couple of PAS finds this week provide such an intrigue: there’s speculation that a unique find of a pilgrims ampulla containing pins is connected to witchcraft. Plus a medieval ceiling decoration with a tenuous connection to Guy Fawkes.

We’ve all had times in our detecting lives where we are running hot or cold. Eric Weinrabe contacted me to say that he is currently on a roll and sent in a really nice example of a groat of Philip and Mary.

The Galloway Hoard has returned for a temporary exhibition in the county where it was found and has set visitor records as thousands come to see it. Although there is some controversy surrounding the find, it is another great example of how the work of detectorists allows so many people to connect with their local history.

Valuations and Identifications

Four more readers finds this week. For the rest of this week’s finds see the Front Page

Find of the Week

Groat of Philip and Mary

Eric Weinrabe said he has recently been on a roll, as is exemplified by this recent find.

Runner Up

Half guinea of George III

Peter Vernon sent in this coin on behalf of a detecting colleague

Other finds

Threehalfpence piece of Elizabeth I

Henry III pennies are usually fairly easy to pin down but this one proved to be rather problematic.

Detecting News

Mystery of the pins in the pilgrims ampulla

This possibly unique find was recorded at the PAS last week. What is the reason for the pins inside the pilgrims ampulla?

Galloway Hoard return home sets visitor record

The Galloway hoard has attracted record number of visitors as it returns to the county where it was found in 2014.

PAS Finds

Plus, are the grooves on a George II halfpenny the result of boredom on the Isle of Wight

Previous Website Updates

You can find all previous website updates in News

Next week

Help with the next edition

Please help me with next week’s edition. If you’ve been out detecting again or taking the time to go through your collection, please contact me with anything you find of interest or would like me to identify.