Detectingwales.com Rally 57 - Detectorists came in Two by Two, Hoorah, Hoorah!

[Neil]

The Detectorists came in Two by Two, Hoorah, Hoorah!

Following the severe weather over the past week, todays rally was seriously in doubt, but after spending three days crafting an ark, and ensuring that we had animal shaped lilo's just in case, we decided to go ahead with it.

I arrived to find about half of todays brave detectorists already at the site and eager to hit the fields. Todays battlefield was destined to be stubble and pasture that had been ploughed recently. The ground was certainly a bit wet under foot in places, but I have detected worse and I'm sure most of you have - it was a case of "He who dares, Rodney" and with little more than a two minute gathering we were off.

Less than 30 seconds into the first field a shout went up that a hammered Tudor silver coin had been found. Well it was what it was, and a bit dog earned, but I think it set the record for the quickest hammered coin at a DW rally.

Many of those present headed towards the area of the Roman Road in the hope that the Italians had at least had the decency to leave us a few of their belongings. Sadly this was not to be the case, although Mike The Hobbit managed to winkle a Roman from the lower section thats still ledgible. I have seen this a few times over the years, where you detect a site with a Roman Road running through it and find very little Roman. I thing its the same as todays infrastructure, where often the habitation and commerce is not along the actual road itself but a few fields away.

Speaking of fields away. A member who has been attending DW rallies for sometime now, was a field away in search of that ever elusive hammered coin. Little Chub has been detecting a good while now, but has been struggling with popping his Hammered Cherry. Well that all changed today in impressive fashion with Little Chub rocking up with a hammered Charles sixpence! (can we have a mintmark and date please Doc). To say he had the biggest smile of the day would not be an understatement. Your turn next Chris429!

The next find of note was an absolutely gigantic gilded buckle that boasted two lions heads on either end, and fell to the coil of Lloyder. A beautiful and unusual buckle that would have I feel been worn by someone of some importance. Difficult to date as it was still encrusted in mud and the lions head and design has been used for centuries way back to the Romans. My gut instinct is heading Georgian/Napoleonic and I think it has a military use.
  
I joined in with the finds myself, after finding a pretty rusted flick knife (whats that doing in a field in Hereford), I decided to pick up a piece of engraved silver work that looks like its come from a cherrot or similar small item.

Next up was  Moby with a somewhat dented Edward hammered coin, Jeff the Wizard with a Jetton and Debbie with a pot leg to add to the handfulls of coppers etc that we always seem to all find.

After a spot of lunch I headed into the pasture and near the furthest gate got a deep signal, that after I had dug a few spades out had me cursing. What is it with finding door knobs - thats my third dig in a row that I had found a door knob. Or that is, so I thought. On taking the knob out of the soil, it was no less than the largest Crotal Bell known to man! This thing is flaming huge, and decorated with scallop designs and the letter R. It was one of those bitter sweet moments as I was stoked to have found it, but gutted it was damaged.

My dissapointment was soon put on the backburner as the next hole was a medieval pendent shield with a spikey end to fix it. Theres a little bit of enamel still showing, so careful cleaning is required on this one.

I had to head off not long after this, as I am likely to get divorced if I failed to get home early following a weekend of drunken debauchery.

Not sure what else came up, but feel free to add you finds. Did anyone else find any lead loom weights? I had three all told - hole either end and one in the middle. All found nowhere near each other.

Great to see everyone today. A special word of thanks to Da Monkey for liasing with the farmer on behalf of DW. I shall see you online my friend for a game of Unreal Tournament!

All the best until next time.

Neil

[Neil]

Photos

[Neil]

Photos

[the treerat]

The Big Ox and Tree rat had a great day but unable to see anyone to pay as we were late. We will see u at the next rally to pay.
See you all soon Treerat

[Mike]

great report as usual neil , enjoyed the day as always even if it was a   'bit muddy' 

[Little Chub]

Thanks to Detecting Wales for another cracking day out topped off with my first ever hammered. Have given it a bit of a clean and the detail is really good made my year cheers guys.

[Neil]

Thats one Hell of a smirk on your face Little Chub - really pleased for you mate. You watch they'll come raining in now and you'll be sick of hammered coins.

Congratulations again

Neil

[Mike]

..................and this is the rest of DW  today 

[Mungo]

well done all........ great write up Neil...........

[The Doc]

Great report Neil, and well done to those who had some nice finds.

I believe Little Chub's coin is Spink 2817, Charles I sixpence, Tower mint under the King, mintmark triangle-in-circle, dates 1641-43.

[Mike]

todays bits and bobs 

[rookypair]

Let me introduce you (hopefully, if my attached photos follow) to Walter. He was found at todays rally, not sure what he is
a lead or pewter figure and would appreciate any information anyone can give  please

Kind regards

Rookypair
 

[Da Monkey]

Nice report and photos   I didnt find much, think I should have changed to a larger coil...   Never mind, there's always next time   I did manage a horse harness thing and something I have no idea of its function, a couple of coppers, buttons, but that was about it for me today.

Nice Scrotal Bell     I've seen one that size before, but it was also broken  guess it's a larger target for the plough

Also some nice coins there

See you all at the Santa Hats  ...   I'm off for a game of Unreal Tournament LOL  

[staterchaser]

Photos

Love the pic 019 jpeg of Mike the Fob. Mike have you shrunk, or Neil must be up a tree? You look like a hobbit!!!

[Ozzy Head]

Enjoyed this Rally my first for a while. Found a couple of coins etc and after cleaning up my 'keep it just in case' finds at home I have 3 things to share......

A square coin weight: clearly see a hand and an initial? to the left hand side. Hand indicates it was made in Antwerp

A Georgian coin weight: D G 214 on one side. COINED BEFORE 1772 on the other used to weigh a Half Guinea
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ceejays_site/pages/Coinweight2.htm

and a clasp? thing that I havent looked up yet.

cheers for the rally!