Giving something back...

My detecting pal and good friend had a call from one of the farmers wives the other day where we have a permission to detect with a plea of assistance.

It turns out that some expensive pieces of tagging equipment from 2 of their more mischievous Holstein Frisian calves had been lost in a few feet of bedding straw. Numerous efforts from staff with pitchforks had led to no avail so Roy was called in to the rescue with his trusty T2.

The collars in question are made from a very tough webbing material and have expensive microchips inside them, fortunately they are also fitted with a metallic D ring which is about the only thing on them liable to be picked up by the detector.

Roy said that surrounding the 2 dozen or so inquisitive young calves was also a metal fence and metal water trough not to mention the reinforcement that was also in the concrete floor.. Not the best environment from detecting you might wonder.

Despite the disheartening surroundings Roy gladly agreed to give the challenge a determined go and with boots and equipment suitably disinfected to mitigate cross­infection, the arena was entered, in the style of a seriously novice matador.  Amazingly, the first collar was detected and recovered with impressive efficiency, the metallic 'D' ring giving­off a quiet but distinctive note. The second one though, lay stubbornly hidden beneath the luxuriously deep straw bedding, effectively shrouded by the steel infrastructure around and below.  But the collar eventually succumbed to the dogged determination that all metal detector enthusiasts seem to have in abundance, together with a liberal dose of unrealistic optimism.

It's a great feeling to be able to give something back to the landowner who has given his trust to you to spend hours digging up his land and or as Roy puts it "It's nice to be of some tangible use to them and their business".

Who knows, the word might now spread throughout the farming community of Cheshire and our services may get called on again and if nothing else it will certainly help in continuing a good reputation with our current landowners..

Incidentally if you should be local and reading this and have the need to the recovery of any kind of metallic object please drop me a line as we would be only too happy to come and try to reunite you with it..

Enjoy the pictures below.

Below Roy seeking out the illusive collars

Below: One of the missing micro chipped collars...

The Boscawen Ring....

Some time back towards the end of the year I was struggling to find a field on some of the land i detect that was dry enough to walk on.. we had had so much rain most of the fields I could use were completely waterlogged.

I went to a field I had been on more times than I could remember but knew it was on highish ground and that there might be a chance some of it was fairly dry.. I had named this particular field the "cow tube graveyard" as there were literally hundreds of the things all of which as you probably know give an tremendous signal and you just have to dig in case its something good!

I set up the machine in the same spot as always usually where I start and most certainly always finish any outing and literally 3 forward steps I recieved a pretty good signal. Fisrt thoughts were " here we go, another cow tube " however i was nicely surprised to see a glint of gold. Closer inspection showed that it was a ring which had an inscription which later turned out to read "MARY ANNE BOSCAWEN OB 21st SEPT 1821 ET 44"

The OB related to the word "Obitus" which means Died and ET sometimes written as AET meaning AETA (Aged)

It looked like a clear example of a mouring ring. From chatting with several people its clear that it would probably had black enamelling around the ring at some point and that it had been made in 2 parts. The first being the band with the inscription and this then being pushed inside the roped outer piece. The corrosion which is shown on the ring is due to the solder that was used to meld the 2 pieces together which over time has eaten its way on to quite a bit of the ring.

The Hall mark is 1821 and from a goldsmith by the name of Samuel Golbeherne of London. My first thought after talking to the landowner was to see if we could trace the family and see if there was a living relative still alive today and this is where the story became quite interesting with a royalty connection.

A lady by the name of Susan Green has been amazing in the help of putting the following information together and her insight and knowledge of geneaology is breathtaking..

Mary Ann Boscawen

Mary Ann Boscawen was born Mary Ann Hughes in 1777. At this stage it is too hard to discover who her parents were until more doccumentation surfaces. Mary Ann Hughes married on 17 July 1805 William Augustus Spencer Boscawen Esq. Son of Major Gen. Hon John Boscawen 1714 - 1767. From records gathered she had three children before she was officially married. From this one could presume numerous scenarios, but will leave it to your imagination.unable to find a will for her but she was loved as the expensive mourning ring was made in her honor.

William Augustus Spencer Boscawen can trace his line back to a long line of Barons Lords and Earls. He was the son of Major Gen. Hugh John Boscawen and Thomasine Surnman 1719 -1750 the daughter of Goldsmith and Banker Robert Surnman.

Robert Surman

Robert Surman was registered as the owner of Valentines at the Manor Court on 16th April 1724, having recently suffered the disgrace of having all his property "sold by Auction to the best Bidder in the Hall of the South-Sea House". Surman was born around 1693 and he was apprenticed to Stephen Ramm, Citizen and Goldsmith, on 20 January 1708. He completed his seven-year apprenticeship but he did not take up his freedom with the Goldsmiths' Company until much later. In the eighteenth century the term 'goldsmith' was interchangeable with 'banker' and it was in the world of finance that he made a living.

In 1718 Surman was appointed assistant to the Chief Cashier of the South Sea Company, Robert Knight, his uncle, and played a central part in the scheme which led to the "South Sea Bubble". The sale of property owned by all the Directors and key officers was part of the attempt to recover some money to assist the vast numbers who had lost their fortune. Robert Surman pleaded his junior status and while forfeiting all his property, he was granted £5,000 which was approximately what he owned in 1718. Settling down at Valentines with his wife and two small daughters was the first stage in rebuilding his life.

Surman was a minor player in the South Sea Bubble team, but it was his knowledge of banking which had been an asset to the South Sea Company. Once the dust had settled on the "Bubble" it was Martin's Bank which enabled him to pick up the pieces and get on with his life. By 1731 the partners in the bank were listed as James Martin, Robert Surman, James Leaver and Richard Stone and Surman continued as a partner for about twenty years.
The property called Valentines and purchased by Surman in 1724 comprised the house and eight acres of land. Pencilled dates on the wall of one of the first floor rooms show that he wasted no time in redecorating at least part of the house. Surman's improvements probably included the addition of a new main staircase with the Palladian window and he may have added the two bays to the front of the building.

Soon after 1726 Surman bought the adjoining property of about 120 acres, also called Valentines but sometimes later referred to as Middlefield Farm, from John Lethieullier and his son, Smart Lethieullier. It seems Surman soon set about rebuilding the gardens as there is a record of workmen digging in a field behind Mr.Surnam's gardens at Valentines in October 1724. The formal gardens and the canal behind the house could well have been constructed at this time.

Robert Surman probably had a house in the City but it is likely that his wife and daughters spent most of their time at Valentines. We can imagine him enjoying the newly created garden walks, arm-in-arm with Thomasin, watching his daughters Thomasina (born in 1719) and Sarah (born in 1721) running across the grass and playing hide and seek among the shrubs. His disgrace must have become a thing of the past when in 1730 the Parish Vestry appointed Robert Surman Overseer of Great Ilford Ward.
Sadly, the happy family life at Valentines lasted just ten years. A stone on the floor of St.Margaret's church at Barking (recorded in around 1908 but now hidden under the organ platform) says: Here lyeth interr'd the body of Thomasin Surman, late wife of Robert Surman of Valentine House in this parish, Gent., who departed this life the 26th day of November Anno Dom. 1734 aged 41 years. Robert and his two daughters, now in their early teens, must have had a sad journey back to Valentines after the funeral. It would be nice to think that Robert's mother stayed to comfort them over the cold weeks of December and January. She had lost her husband in 1722 and from the wording used when she put her own affairs in order around 1736 it is clear that she regarded her son with great affection. She died in November 1744.

Robert was by now about fifty years of age and with considerable standing in the community. His mother had been a wealthy woman and about five years after her death Robert Surman decided to branch out and establish a bank of his own. It was known as Surman, Dinely and Cliffe, the partners being Thomas Dinely a colleague at Martin's Bank, and Surman's nephew, Robert Cliffe, co-executor of his mother's will.

Just before this, in December 1748, Robert's daughter, Thomasina, married Colonel John Boscawen, son of Hugh Boscawen, 1st Viscount Falmouth. Her husband later became Master of the Horse, and one of the Grooms of the Bedchamber to the Duke of Cumberland, and M. P. for Truro. Their son William was born 7 January 1750, but sadly Thomasina died about three weeks later, aged 30 years. She was buried with her mother at Barking.

By now Robert Surman and his daughter Sarah were accepted in the best circles. Some glimpses of their social life can be gleaned from letters which were exchanged between Earl Tylney of Wanstead and his brother-in-law, Sir Robert Long, and the Earl's sisters Emma and Dorothy. For instance, they joined Earl Tylney and eleven other guests to a supper party at Bleak Hall. This included Lord Londonderry who was staying with Earl Tylney at that time. The letters refer to Miss Surman as Sally. She would have been twenty-nine at the time, three or four years younger than Dorothy Child.
In the 1750s Robert Surman was described as "of Lombard Street, London goldsmith" in property deals with Joseph Cruttenden of Gracechurch Street, London, gent. (his nephew), Robert Cliffe of Lombard Street, London banker (also his nephew) Thomas Dineley of Tower Hill, London esq. and others. We do not know why Robert Surman decided to sell Valentines but in October 1754 it was acquired by Charles Raymond. It seems likely the two men became acquainted through business with the East India Company.

The Gentleman's Magazine reported the death of Robert Surman of Glocester Street, Esq on 14 June 1759. Did he died happy, or did fate have more shocks in store for his last five years?

So we go back to the Boscawen family..


1. Lt.-Col. William Augustus Spencer Boscawen 1750 -1828

Lt.-Col. William Augustus Spencer Boscawen was born on 7 January 1750. He was the son of Maj Gen Hon John Boscawen and Thomasine Surman. He died in 1828. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.). He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the service of the Foot Guards.

Children of Lt.-Col. William Augustus Spencer Boscawen
Heirs of William And Mary Ann Boscawen.

• Mary Boscawen

• Elizabeth Spencer Boscawen

• George Boscawen b. 1802, d. 1832

• Evelyn Spencer Boscawen b. 1803, d. 1845

Father of Lt.-Col. William Augustus Spencer Boscawen

2. Maj.-Gen. Hon. John Boscawen

was born in January 1714. He was the son of Hugh Boscawen, 1st Viscount Falmouth and Charlotte Godfrey. He married Thomasine Surnman, daughter of Robert Surnam, in December 1748. He died in 1767.

Children of Maj.-Gen. Hon. John Boscawen and Thomasine Surnman

• Hugh Boscawen d. 1795 (There is no record or proof of the existance of this child the Hugh that died in that year was of another family)

•  Lt.-Col. William Augustus Spencer Boscawen b. 7 Jan 1750, d. 1828

3. Hugh Boscawen, 1st Viscount Falmouth

was the son of Edward Boscawen and Jael Godolphin. He married Charlotte Godfrey, daughter of Colonel Charles Godfrey and Arabella Churchill, on 23 April 1700.
He died on 25 October 1734.and held the office of Captain of St. Mawes Castle between 1696 and 1710. He was Groom of the Bedchamber to the Duke of Gloucester between 1698 and 1700. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Whig) for Tregony between 1702 and 1705. He held the office of Groom of the Bedchamber to Prince George of Denmark between 1702 and 1708. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Whig) for Cornwall between 1705 and 1710. He held the office of Warden of the Stannaries between 1708 and 1710. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Whig) for Penryn between 1713 and 1720. He held the office of Comptroller of the Household between 1714 and 1720.
He held the office of Captain of St. Mawes Castle between 1714 and 1734. He held the office of Warden of the Stannaries between 1714 and 1734. He held the office of Joint Vice-Treasurer of Ireland between 1717 and 1734. He was created 1st Viscount Falmouth, co. Cornwall [Great Britain] on 9 June 1720. He was created 1st Baron of Boscawen Rose, co. Cornwall [Great Britain] on 9 June 1720. He has an extensive biographical entry in the Dictionary of National Biography.

4. Edward Boscawen,
Born. 21 November 1628, Died. between 28 July 1685 and 3 May 1686
Edward Boscawen was baptised on 21 November 1628. He was the son of Hugh Boscawen and Margaet Rolle. He married Jael Godolphin, daughter of Sir Francis Godolphin and Dorothy Berkley, on 5 January 1665. He died between 28 July 1685 and 3 May 1686. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Truro between 1660 and 1681.

Children of Edward Boscawen and Jael Godolphin

• Hugh Boscawen 1st Viscount Falmouth d. 25 Oct 1734
• Dorothy Boscawen
• Ann Boscawen d. Jan 1751

5. Hugh Boscawen
Born 28 April 1578, Died. circa January 1641
Hugh Boscawen was baptised on 28 April 1578.He was the son of Nicholas Boscawen and Alice Trevantin. He married Margaret Rolle, daughter of Robert Rolle, on 22 June 1622. He died circa January 1641. He was buried on 9 January 1641. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Cornwall. He held the office of Recorder of Truro. He lived at Tregothnan, Cornwall, England. He held the office of Recorder of Truro.

Children of Hugh Boscawen and Margaret Rolle

• Hugh Boscawen b. 21 Aug 1625, d. c Jun 1701

• Edward Boscawen b. 21 Nov 1628, d. bt 28 Jul 1685 - 3 May 1686

The continuation of the Boscawens can be traced back to 1357 through father to son.



So we go back now to Many Anne and William.


William Augustus Spencer Boscawen and Mary Ann had the following family.

Elizabeth Spencer Boscawen 1805 - 1891, Evelyn Spencer Hughes Boscawen , George Boscawen 1802 - 1832, Mary Boscawen.

Sons And Heirs of William Augustus Spencer and Mary Ann Boscawen

George Boscawen was born 10 May 1802 and died September 19, 1832 Lurgan, Craigavon, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. He died Unmarried and no heirs.
source Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003.

He gained the rank of Captain in the service of the Royal Engineers

Evelyn Spencer Hughes Boscawen
Born July 28, 1803 and died prior to July 1845. He died unmarried with no heirs. Note error in transcription of christening stating he was a female not a male.

England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 about Evelyn Spencer Hughes Boscawen

Name: Evelyn Spencer Hughes Boscawen
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 28 Jul 1803
Baptism Date: 25 Aug 1803
Baptism Place: Saint Mary-St Marylebone Road,St Marylebone,London,England
Father: Wm. Augs. Spencer Boscawen
Mother: Mary Hughes
FHL Film Number: 580907

Will of Evelyn Spencer Boscawen, late Major in the British Army of Cheltenham , Gloucestershire
Date: 29 April 1845
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record
Boscawen, Evelyn Spencer
Rank: Lieutenant
Unit: 17th Foot & Biography: Commissioned as Lieutenant 2.9.1824. Was still serving with 17th Foot as at 1826.
Period of Service: 1820s


Mary Boscawen
was born 3.November 1800 and died 1881. She married twice 1st to Captain William Henry Foy died 1838 and secondly to William Newman.

Captain William Henry Foy and Mary Boscawen had 1 child. Louisa Elizabeth Foy b 1828.
Below the marriage of Mary to William Newman. They had no children.
London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921
Name: Mary Foy
Spouse Name: William Newnham
Record Type: Marriage
Event Date: 17 Dec 1840
Parish: Twickenham St Mary the Virgin
Borough: Richmond Upon Thames
Father Name: William Augustus Spencer Boscawen
Spouse Father: Thomas Newnham

Louisa Elizabeth Foy
Born 1828 Ostend, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium and married Nathaniel John Newman
England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973

about Louisa Elizabeth Foy
Name: Louisa Elizabeth Foy
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 15 Jun 1852
Marriage Place: Egham,Surrey,England
Father: William Henry Foy
Spouse: Nathaniel John Newnham
FHL Film Number: 994419

Nathaniel John Newnham and Louisa Elizabeth Foy had 1 child.

Mary Louisa Newnham

Born 1857 Egham, Surrey, England, United Kingdom
died 1931 aged 74 leaving no heirs.
Mary Louisa Newnham married Rev. George Menzies Lambrick
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 about Mary Louisa Lambrick
Name: Mary Louisa Lambrick
Probate Date: 13 Oct 1931
Death Date: 26 Apr 1931
Death Place: Somerset, England
Registry: London, England

The Last Daugther

Elizabeth Spence Boscawen

Born 5 November 1805 (Note only child born after they were married) died 28 June 1891. She married John Foy on 13 July 1829 St Marylebone. They had 4 daughters
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
Name: Elizth. Spencer Boscawen
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 5 Nov 1805
Baptism Date: 6 Dec 1805
Baptism Place: Saint Mary-St Marylebone Road,St Marylebone,London,England
Father: Wm. Augustus Spencer Boscawen
Mother: Mary Anne
FHL Film Number:580907

London and Surrey, England, Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1597-1921
Name: Elizabeth Spencer Boscawen
Age: 21
Birth Year: abt 1808
Event Date:13 Jul 1829
Parish: St Marylebone
Spouse's Name: John Foy
Spouse's Age: 21
Spouse's Parish: St Marylebone
Spouse's County: Middlesex
Event Type: Allegation

The four daughters listed below all died without issue

Florence Matilda Louisa Foy 1846 - 1922
FOY Florence Louisa Matilda of Brightlands Southborough, Kent. Spinster, Died 27th October 1922 Probate London 29th March to Charles Yate Lee Solicitor. Effects: £15,357 3s 11d
 
Rosamund Harriet Foy 1843 - 1925
FOY Rosamund Harriet Brightlands Southborough, Kent. Spinster, Died 16th March 1925. Probate London to Charles Yate Lee Esquire. Effects: £27,182 7s 3d

Helen Elizabeth Foy 1832 - 1899 
FOY Helen Elizabeth of Brightlands Southborough, Kent. Spinster, Died 14th August 1899 Probate London 31st October to Rosamund Harriet Foy Spinster and Thomas Dolling Bolton Esquire. Effects: £7920 10s 1d


Mary (Mercy) Sibella Foy 1840-1917
FOY Mercey Sibella of Brightlands Southborough, Kent. Spinster, Died 19th December 1917 Administration ( With Will ) London 5th March to Rosamund Harriet Foy Spinster. Efects: £8654 18s 11d . Resworn £7310 10s 3d


So that is where the history stops.

Its quite saddening re readng all of this, to consider that once there was a family with such high public status, misxing in the right circles and related to royalty that has lead to the demise of this family with 4 daughters all passing this world as spinsters. You might wonder why they all died this way and maybe assumption my lead you to believe that they were wealthy women who at the time had no need for the dependency and security that a man would normally offer in those times. Or maybe it was that they didnt want to share any of their wealth and prefered to enjoy it in their own way.


Im pleased though that by chance that day I was able to discover the ring and for a moment in time the legacy of such a great family is being spoken about once more and that by writing this blog and with the information sought out by Sue above this fantastic piece of social history can be read by many.

I have recently donated this ring and the history behind it including all copies of birth, death and marriage certificates to Chester Museum where hopefully people will be able to read and remember the family Boscawen.

Club Dig in Bedford.. Definately a Roman Day

I managed to get a midweek club dig in this week in Bedfordshire. I couldnt resist really as that part of the country has a huge amount of history and always a good chance of saving something good from the ground.

Up until now in all the time I have been detecting I have found 3 Roman coins ( Yes I know its hard to believe living in Chester ) Until now..

Arrived at the dig location to find that the field we were due to go on had only been rough ploughed and that it hadnt been rolled. The organiser said not to worry as he would relocate us to a nearby location which has produced some fantastic history. In the meantime a few of us had a quick half hour wandering on the rough plough to which one chap found a stunning Penny of William I.. I imagine he was gutted to have to leave!

We headed off to the next location. I followed a car that was following a car who we thought knew where we were going.. after a few miles it turned out he was also following someone he thought was with us but it turned out to be an elderly couple going to a funeral! A few phone calls and a rough location sat nav got us to where we needed to be ( Thankfully! )

Gorgeous 40 or so acres of rolled ploughed land..

I use the Etrac on Conduct in Multitones and today had open screen, there were lots of high pitched iron squeals but once you get used to that and zone it out the etrac dosnt miss the lows grunts or mid tone which are usually roman coins or hammered coins.. Silver still gives a nice high tone but its a lot softer than the iron squeal so fairly easy to pick out.

First decent signal turned out to be a fragment of a Roman Belt Buckle, i didnt realsie exactly what it was at the time but somone identified it a bit later. The usual few buttons and bits of lead came up and then I had a nice tone which turned out to be a Roman Coin of ................  It still maintained a nice bit of detail on it.. Following that though the day I ended up with a toal of 9 roman coins, mostely minims and only 3 have some detail left..

Later in the afternoon I was passing an area where a few people had been congregating and had a very iffy but deep tone about a 14-21 but not 2 way, I thought id dig it though and so glad I did, at about 8 inches on edge was a lovely enamelled plate brooch, not in the greatest shape but after nearly 2000 years thats hardly surprising.. It still has traces of the blue enamel on it and is slightly bent but I love it. surreal to think I am the first person to pick that up in so long..

I heard that throughout the day about 10 hammered including a penny of Stephen were found along with about 50 roman grots in total, 2 brooches and 5 silver denarius. Not a bad day in all and very pleasing for me :) enjoy the pictures below !

( Above ) SOL INVICTO COMITI Follis of Constantine I struck at Trier in Germany

(Above ) AE3 of Valens with Victory Advancing Left 364-378 AD

(Above ) AE4 of Helena with "PAX PUBLICA" Reverse Pax Holding Olive Branch and Scepter

( Above ) Roman Enamelled Plate Brooch 2-3rd Century AD

New land

Had a good chat with one of our landowners and we were lucky enough to be allowed on another farm belonging to a brother.. I'm sure these things happen due simply to being honest and always involving the landowner in the things you find.. Trust with farmers from my own experience of having met them through this hobby and also growing up with friends who farm is huge. A handshake and being of your word means more than anything...

Anyway.. We headed on to the new land mainly to do a reccy and to see where we were able detect. The land owner said many people had been on detecting over the years but that never means much as I think fields are never "done" 

We had a mixture of pasture and maize stubble to investigate and opted to start with the pasture..
Roy called over after just a few mnutes of starting to say he had a copper half penny but very worn which we agreed was a good sign... we both headed to the highest point of the field so we could have a good look around and see the lie of the land at that point I got a very dodgy signal which i wouldnt normally have dug but my arm was aching so I dug it for a rest :) It turned out to be a Sestertius of Hadrian circa 117-138AD Not in the best of conditions and the reverse of the coin was completely blown as it had been lain against a piece of Iron hence the dodgy signal i suppose.

A little while later Roy called me over with a lovely Silver Button find, as I am wri

ting this I thought I would try and identify the type of button and its known I think as a "blowhole" button due to the 2 holes on the underside. Secondly It might be worth a bit more rersearch as it could also be classifed as Treasure under the treasure act.. another one for Roy to take to the FLO.. Great news if it is though and that would be our 3rd between us in 12 months.

I literally walked back to my etrac and Roy shouts over again.. Walking back over to find that Roy had found a lovely little 1843 Victoria Fourpence or groat as it was also known.. The new land definitely is shaping up to be good from the early signs... 

We have yet to try at least 6 other fields of pasture and about 80 acres of maize stubble but we'll be back soon for sure...

Above

Poor example of a Roman Sestertious of Hadrian

Lovely Silver Blowhole Button Possibly 17th Century..

Queen Victoria Groat / Four Pence dated 1843

The Medieval Field

Out with Roy again this week and we headed back to what we call our medieval field. The field is Maize stubble and at least 30 acres, to date we have managed to save some finds such as an early medieval harness mount, several hammered pannies of Henry III and Edward I/II, a gorgeous William III sixpence, Beehive Thimble and other various objects..

The field is due to be ploughed anytime soon so we thought we would give it one last go until after the harvest.

Finds were pretty thin on the ground really, my first decent signal of the day was an early victorian buckle probably for use on cattle or horses, not that old but a nice find all the same.

A few worn copper georgian coins came up as per the norm on most of the fields around here and the obligatory Musket Balls... I did also find a small artifact which I belive to be a partifact of a belt hanger which dates i would imagine to late medieval period.  A nice Lead bag seal also came to light which I think it probably a russian flax bale seal circa early 1800's

Then, bizarrly I had a sweet little 12-45 tone on the etrac and on turning over the sod I saw what looked like a small silver three pence.. lightly removing the mud from the coin I knew it wasnt and found myself looking at a 1917 Silver Mercury Dime.. I have always liked these coins and envied our friends over the pond digging them up all the time. I never thought I would dig one mysefl especially in a field in the middle of Cheshire.

I imagine that at some point there would have been a WW1 army camp in the vicinity and it was dropped by a soldier or by someone who had been given the coin for its silver content.. Its silver number 8 for the year though so I wasnt going to complain. 

Anyway.. thats me for this outing..

Lovely Victorian Bronze Buckle

Circa 1600-1700 incomplete cast copper-alloy Post Medieval strap fitting for a sword belt

Lead Russian Bale Seal Flax or Hemp early 1800's

 1917 American Mercury Dime ( Phillidephia Mint )

The Gold Armorial Ring..

My Detecting pal is a good friend by the name of Roy, between us we have a few joint permissions and called up to one the other day. It was a field that had just been ploughed and ready to take seeded potatoes in a few days so we thought we would give it a go.

A few bits and pieces turned up such as bag seals, buckles and the odd worn coin mainly georgian era and younger.

A few hours in to the day and roy gave me a shout on the walkie talkies and says " you better come over here, i might need you to help me find the other bit of something"

Very ominous I thought! so I trudged over the other side of the field to where he was to find him with a very large grin on his face holding a piece of gold between his fingers.. very very lovely old yellowy buttery gold too i might add!

It tirned out to be a broken Gold Armorial ring with a coat of arms we are currently working on deciphering which was used as a form of seal matrix. When Roy cleaned it up it even still had a small piece of wax in it.

The ring we think dates to about the 15th Century and looks to have Scottish connections so who only knows what it was doing in a field in Cheshire.

Hopefully we will get a good ID on it soon and I will update the Blog when I do.. Its off to the FLO tomorrow to be declared as treasure under the Treasure act and in accordance with British Law so no doubt it will end up having a spell with the folk at the BM until its final resting place is decided.

The impression is pretty much flawless..

.