Cotswold Rally at Chedworth a great success

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

Thanks for that information Kurt, very interesting, always learning! At the last but one rally, Laura gave us a really interesting insight into flints and what to look for to distinguish between worked and non-worked.

By the way , welcome to the site and feel free do drop in to advise, any time.

[handyman [Alan}]

Thank you Kurt, for the positive input. All the FLO's do excellent work. Long may the funding continue.

Look forward to seeing you again at a DW rally.

Cheers

[relichunting]

Kurt

How do they measure the silver on an item to work out whether it makes up 10% of the weight. Because as far as I can see, a plated item could never make up 10% as it would only be several microns thick, and gold leaf is extreamly thin, if it were gold plated, still not treasure!

[avalon]

Interesting point Shaun, now Kurt is the 10% silver or gold, decided by the coverage of the item or by the weight, as the Treasure Act fail to mention this, and this makes just a tincy bit of difference, to the outcome

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

The Treasure law states clearly

1 (a)

(i)is not a coin but has metallic content of which at least 10 per cent by weight is precious metal;

So its by weight not area of coverage.  So if you have a 50 gramme brooch and 5 grams of it is silver, then thats Treasure Trove. But as Kurt said the brooches are not normally silver plated.

[relichunting]

I can not see how any Roman brooches or artifacts that have been silvered, could possibly be classed as treasure


The weight of the silvered content could not make 10% in most cases


So how does the treasure act measure the silvered,or  gold glided on an item to work out whether it makes up 10% by weight

[Chef Geoff]

Haven't you read Kurts post at the bottom of page 1?

[avalon]

On the P.A.S data base there appears to be a silver plated brooch, ....or do they mean tinned?

http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/72233

[avalon]

Kurt states that  ‘’Roman brooches were not silvered, but tinned’’and silver was only found on wire inlays and foils but this P.A.S report clearly states ‘’There are only remains of silver plating on the very outside edge of the decorated face as well as partly continuing round to the back of the brooch’’

Umm….Very confusing, for the amateur detectorist

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

I can not see how any Roman brooches or artifacts that have been silvered, could possibly be classed as treasure


The weight of the silvered content could not make 10% in most cases


So how does the treasure act measure the silvered,or  gold glided on an item to work out whether it makes up 10% by weight

They can use surface area to work that out, silver has a known weight as will the alloy underneath, simple maths will give the % by weight.

I think what Kurt is saying in his reply, is that Roman brooches are not silvered as a rule, however as with everything, there will be locally made or bespoke brooches that don't follow the trend, confusing for us armatures yes, maybe it is. But if we're unsure, then we do have the FLO system to fall back on for advice in these situations.  If in doubt, show the FLO  

[relichunting]

If there using the surface area to work out the weight of the silvered content its still confusing


What if the silvered item is worn in several places


Yes Geoff I did read  Kurts post on the first page he is quoting the treasure act


An item that is 300 years old, which has more than 10% gold or sliver, is still treasure


I think we all know that or we should, been responsible detectors users


The treasure process regarding gold gilding and silvered items is confusing


I would still like an answer from Kurt on how they officially work out the precious metal weight on these type of items

[relichunting]

Ok here we have an example

This is a Tudor 'Trefoil Filigree' Hooked Clasp Mount

Circa 16th Century A.D

Most of the silver or gold gilt is present

Question is this a treasure item

Does it contain 10% silver or gold gilt by weight i do not think so myself

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

What did your FLO say ? Surely that's the person to ask.

[avalon]

Don't worry shaun, that's not treasure, here is my one recorded in 1995 at the Corinium museum, returned  with a letter saying it was 19th century, ah well,  you learn something every day, I thought they were Tudor silver clothes fasteners

[relichunting]

I don't need to ask my FLO

This example was found by me over 20 years ago,before the new treasure process came in to effect

I  know what it is, and I guess there is no 10% gold gilding by weight

It would simply be returned if it went for treasure wasting tax payers money

And as Steve said if the Corinium museum, consider them 19th century thats good enouth for me