DetectingWales.com

DetectingWales.com held its first Cardiff based rally today in glorious sunshine with around 50 members attending.

When we arrived at the farm I noticed a large area of stubble which didn't belong to our farmer, but I thought there was no harm in asking if we could use it. A phone call later by the very friendly farmer and BINGO we have his pastures plus some stubble over the road. A good result.

Great to see loads of new faces once again in the form of ALG3151, Cardiff Nights, Grim Reaper, JRD, Llew5551, Mark Wilde, Mick, Pete, The Raptor, Small Stack, Tallman Nick, The Big Ox, TheTreeRat and others I may have forgotten! Also it was as usual a pleasure to see lots of more seasoned members.

We added a new addition to our rally today in the shape of Marshall Vests courtesy of Mike - cheers mate! :) the idea is not necessarily to "police the rallies" but just to be there if someone needs a hand or some advice. The farmer was particularly happy with this, and thought it a good idea as the guys would also tidy up any messy holes. Of which I personally found very few - which was great news as he has lots more land for us to visit another day.

Following a quick go here go there and a great impromptu Historical Overview by Paul we were off.

The first find of note fell to Paul and was one for him to cross off his list in the form of a barrel key.

Next came the ever reliable Doc with bizzarely an American silver half dime. Just to prove how expert he is at findings all things silver he promptly followed it with a hammered and then taught us all another lesson by turning up by my side with yet another hammered coin still in the soil! Well done mate -  a hat trick!

Dai was getting in on things about this time by producing two Roman coins - one of which showing Romulus and Remus suckling on the she wolf. Should clean up nicely.

Not to be outdone I was busy making a find of my own in the shape of a silver engraved end from a cheroot. A device used for holding cigarettes or cigars.

Steven King then arrived with a cracking peacock livery button. I then bumped into Melonhead sporting a couple of silvers and Casa Dos with a love token.

I popped back for a bite and was greeted by Nomad with a Charles II silver coin with a hole in it and his mate who had a peculiar round thing with something engraved in the middle and engraved round it. Possibly a guard off a fencing foil.

There was also a ring floating around and a bit of speculation about its age.

Then the joeys {Chef is shouting at this point "They are not joeys"!}started to arrive as nearly everyone seemed to have one that I spoke to!

The find of the day next beconed in the form of a beauty of a bronze seal. The symbol and legend surrounding it should all be legible once the owner has carefully cleaned it off. He's planning on doing a before and after picture and showing the wax imprint, which we will all look forward to.

More finds materialised including 2 Half Crowns, a contemporary George III forgery found by Nobby, Richard had a silver book hinge and Sue with a vicky 6 pence.

I headed into another part of the stubble field and got that "Its on top of the soil" signal and looking down saw staring back at me a 1889 Vicky Shilling just sat there all beit a bit muddy. A few minutes later I also joined the "Joey Club" with one myself dated 1879.

Numerous other finds materialised as they always do including copper coins of William III onwards, musket balls, thimbles, horse bridal bits and all the normal odds and sods.

One of the nicest condition thimbles I have seen appeared in silver with its hallmarks loud and proud.

Back at base camp there was a Georgian toy cannon, a curious coin which may be a gaming piece a silver Victorian brooch, medieval buckles, cap badges, Chinese money, Sue's porcelain egg and a nice commerative medal of Victoria found by Kevin. Oh and yet more joeys!

Apparently a nice French hammered coin about the size of a groat and a Lizzy hammered turn up also. I missed thesebut Taff Laff got some photos so they are sure to follow.

I headed home happy and shattered leaving a big group chatting and a few stragglers still in the fields. I made it 21 silver items in total that I personally saw - so I dare say there were a few more, as even I couldn't speak to everyone! ;D

Roast dinner time now.

Until the next occasion I see you in a field.

cheers
Neil

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No replies yet please - loads more to come!

And again . . .

Again

You still comfy?

Nowhere near finished yet!

More

And still more

Nearly there  . . .

The end for now!

More photos to come from Rob.

Dont know if this helps with reading the seal this is mirrored and colours inversed....Any takers ?

What an excellent collection of finds , sorry i had to leave 5 minutes into the rally, work beckoned, never mind, at least i left all them lovely items for you to find , well done all.

Roll on Rooksbridge ,,, come on Rob get the list up.

Great write up as usual Neil, It was a great rally with a really good atmosphere, Fab weather and some really good finds. Although the only thing I found was that a bolt had detached itself from my starter motor and the lads had to give me a push to getting started for home (getting embarrassing now as that's the 2nd time).

It was intriguing that both Casa and Melonhead had Chinese coins and then from a similar area, Wendover had his disc that I immediately thought looked Japanese, but now after the coin find would appear to be Chinese and the pattern does resemble the story on a Willow pattern eg 2 lovers running away and eventually turning into birds.

Just looking forward to the next rally in 2 weeks time when I shall be on home turf and hoping for a rerun of Rooksbridge 1, just got to avoid the gypsy curse :o

PS THEY ARE STILL NOT JOEYS lol

Just like to add that both Parki John and Napoleon had identical bronze (rare) Roman(?) steelyard weights.  Well done both.

Glorious sunshine -- you lucky so and so's -- we had solid rain all day in cambridgeshire today.

Well done everyone on the superb finds, it's great to see so many high quality items.

cheers

[oh - i got a cut half and a full hammered -- wil post finds tomorrow]

Great report Neil, sorry that I missed the rally, will be there for next one.
Some lovely finds, and the cap badge is Oxford & Bucks light infantry.

yes great write up neil welldone butty.
yet again another great ralley with great company.really enjoyed myself today,met a few more newbies also met wendover wonderer really nice guy..it was nice to meet the big ox the tree rat and the grim reaper great bunch they are.
all in all exellant day out in the countryside!!!! and thats good enough.lol.
cheers all.
raymondoo.

What can I say, what a great day, weather was just right, brilliant company together with the stubble and the grass fields there was something to please everyone, finds were good  too...came away with a lovely bronze ring and a pocket full of lead.....Many thanks to all who made it a success, see you all at the next rallay ;D ;D ;D

Many thanks to all for a great day  ;D
I managed to identify my token, is very similar to both of the following

(http://members.optusnet.com.au/~ihartshorn/forsale/L685.jpg)
(http://members.optusnet.com.au/~ihartshorn/forsale/L688.jpg)

Just to add another - I had a very worn 1841 Viccy sixpence and I know Debbie had one as well. Nothing else of significence but a lovely sunny day out.

Looks like it was a good day,well done all on some great finds  ;)

Hope this picture comes up ok as ive been told its a bronze steel yards weight, which i think naepolean find 1 exactly the same wonder if he can put up a better picture and any more info on this would be appreciated.Had a lovely day.Cant seem to find any pictures or info on these on the internet.Thanks some lovely finds came up as per usual with detecting wales.

Here you go PJ.
http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/387099 (http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/387099)
And
http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/small/item/GTJ31524/ (http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/small/item/GTJ31524/)
And
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=10030&cat=223 (http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=10030&cat=223)
And how they work
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steelyard_balance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steelyard_balance)

Thanks for the info cheers

The seal is 14th century ish and reads something like:

S' IDR' D' LIPETRI

I'm not sure of one or two of the letters.

Could be therefore a seal of someone called Idris from Lipetri - could be Lampeter maybe? Anyone else got any idea what Lipetri might be?

And the foreign hammered is a Double Patard of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy 1467-1477. See here for a similar one:

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=24693&cat=38 (http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=24693&cat=38)

great write up niel..thanks to all who arranged the rally .once again without you it wouldnt happen,...finaly got rid of wendover and small stack....about 30 minutes ago..i did find a nice cut half short cross   when we got home...will post a pic tomorrow....

A great report Niel, A big well done to everyone, sorry I missed this one see you all on the next

some cracking finds there.... really nice to see the photos  :)  well done all !

Well I had a great day yesterday and after a spell under the weather it was a tonic that I gladly took. I did not find any earth shattering history changing finds but I had a fab day in lovely weather and was there not a brilliant atmosphere again. What a great day and thanks to Rob Neil and the posse. Rooksbridge bring it on. Here are some pics from the day.

Some celebrities were spotted supporting a worthy cause. Here is Silvester Stallone. A lot smaller than I imagined.  ;D ;D

Renault F1 team sent along Petrov and Kubica.  ;D ;D

Thanks to the guys for getting more stubble. Got my first barrell key from here.

The pasture rewarded some good finds and some stunning views. Here is Cardiff Bay in the distance.

Happy detecting was had by all

Beachboy took us into territory we have been down before. Thankfully it had already gone off. Here is part of a bomb. ( phew)

A Danish Krone found by Willowtree I think added to the array of international monies found. American, Chinese, Roman, French to name but a few

Though some were praying for finds only to open there eyes and find they were being mugged. Would you argue with 16DD and Napoleon. I would,nt :D :D :D

I think we all had a good day ( except Chef   :-* ) and look forward to our next get together.

Just wanted to say thanks for a great rally.

Brilliant atmosphere, great laugh,  ;D ;D ;D cant wait till the next one, lets hope its gold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great day sunday myself and Ann enjoed our day nice to catch up with old members and new , good report by LOVEJOY (NEIL) ;D weather great again ,my foot held up yet again while detecting so pleased about that, found a 1905 threepence, Chinese token or coin !, queen Victoria lead commemorative thingy, r.a.f. button, love token ;)

Not sure if you have tracked down your medal Kev. If not this is what it looked like, complete with shopping bags lol

thats great thank you Geoff,love it  its exactly the same  ;D ;)

Napoleon and Parkijohn found two identical weights which Chef and I thought may be Roman Steelyard weights. I have attached a picture of a 1st century Steelyard scales with the weights still attached found at Caernarvon and shows the weights that are almost identical to those found. They are made of Bronze and came as a set of four so where are the other two.

Wendover Wanderer I wonder if this explains your round disc object. They are called Bi Discs and have been around for at least 3,000 years, Originally made of Jade later ones were made of Bronze and Copper. They were usually buried for luck for safe passage on a journey or Perilous crossings of Rivers and ravines. The metal discs are from around the early 1900,s which would seem about right for the age of your disc. If it is not one of these I have not got a clue as I spent the best part of an hour looking for similar type objects and it is all I can find that is close in size and shape and decorative style.

Thanks to the team for another great rally  ;D

Here are my silvers straightened and cleaned as much as is feasible.

Sorry pics are a bit rubbish.

Interestingly, although I didn't find a Joey, the two milled silvers I did find - USA Half Dime 1856 and Canada Five Cents 1885 are both almost exactly the same size as a Joey.

The hammered are Edward I Canterbury mint penny and Edward III York mint penny.

Well done Peter you have done a great job on the hammered coins. You must have the patience of a saint.

welldone casa-dos on your finds mate..welldone pete on your coins mate.great stuff guys.
ray.

Great day out yesterday - blue sky and sunshine, no "big" finds came my way, but a silver sixpence is always a welcome addition to the collection.  PeterH had an "embarrassment" of silver = well done Doc  ;D
Nice to meet you Eric  ;)  Had a good chat with Casa Dos and Anne - always nice to catch up  :)
Looking forward to the next rally.
Deb
 

Great lot of slver Peter, well done...I do like the half dime ;)

Thanks for all the time you give everyone, to help identify items

Well done , thoroughly deserved

Farmer Phil ;)

Thanks Phil - and many thanks for the gloves  :)

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