DetectingWales.com Rally 55 - The Penny Farthing Rally

[proconsul]

We don’t normally change our rally plans based on weather forecasts but we had no choice with this particular rally as a Met office weather warning of really horrendous weather on the Sunday that we’d planned the rally for, combined with a last-minute warning from the farmer that if the bad weather materialized the parking field that we had designated for the rally would be unusable and the hard standing area that we had used as backup parking previously would not be available. Given that there was no other alternative parking in the tiny village to accommodate the massed ranks of detectorists we had no alternative but to bring the rally forward by a day.


This short notice change of plans unfortunately meant that many of the members who had signed up for the rally were unable to come. However  I suspect that many of the members who arrived at the farm on a very sunny Saturday morning may have been thinking that the farmer and the Met office had done us a favour as the weather turned out to be really lovely all day and perfect for metal detecting.


We had been to the same farm two weeks previously and we were returning this time to detect on the very same fields but after they had been disced to remove the stubble. We were anticipating many more finds from this very productive farm as members would be able to get their detectors much nearer the ground than they could last time with all the stubble around. We were not to be disappointed. Once more this excellent farm produced a cornucopia of finds including Roman, hammered and some interesting artifacts.

After the usual meeting most people headed for the lower fields - many for the Roman hotspot that we had identified on previous visits. Once more this produced the goods and within a short space of time seven Roman bronzes had seen the light of day together with one lovely denarius found by Wayno. It didn’t take long for the first hammered coins to start to appear with four cut halves turning up in some of the lower fields.

When we’d arrived at the farm in the morning, although lots of fields had been disced we were a little disappointed to see that the Manor field that had produced so many hammered in previous rallies had not been disced. However, halfway through the morning a tractor appeared and started to disc the field. It took the whole of the rest of the day to complete the field but as more and more of it was processed by the tractor most people left the bottom fields and made their way up to the Manor field to hunt for hammies.

It was pointed out by a few people that we detectorists were doing a good impression of seagulls following a tractor. But it was worth it as soon more hammies started to appear.

Just after lunch our FLO, Rowena, turned up and members were able to record and get an opinion on their finds. She soon started to have plenty to look at as artifacts started to arrive including a tiny spoon, which may have been for condiments, a lovely heraldic pendant with three Lions and some of the original gilding still attached which had been found by Anthony J.

Adrian wall found a peculiar lead toggle type of object which will need further investigation and a really nice strap end which looks pretty early to me. Later on in the day Wayno added to his other nice finds with a Roman brooch.

Overall, a further ten hammered coins came up in the Manor field that we know of. It’s interesting that apart from the half groat found by passing Clod, all the hammered coins found during the day were either cut halves or small denomination coins such as farthings or three farthings. Perhaps we had all of the larger coins on our last visit?

We knew this was a good farm when we decided to go there and it certainly lived up to its reputation once again. Thanks to everyone who turned up and apologies to those who were unable to come due to the sudden short notice change of date.

Geoff

[proconsul]

More pics...

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More pics...

[proconsul]

The Gold wasn't found today, but still deserves to be in here ........

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

detecting Wales Roman

[Neil]

Quality report and photos Geoff - thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

I was gutted not to be able to join you, but the Detecting Gods were not smiling upon me for various reasons today.

Glad to see so many quality finds came up. Just goes to show a site is never done no matter the visits. Discing or ploughing makes such a difference.

Could a reason for the small hammered denominations be related to it possibly being a port and minor payments for unloading, entry, or transport? Definitely worth a visit again next year.

Well done to all the finders.

Cheers
Neil

[Zeus (Joel)]

Thanks to all involved on yet another great rally and what a nice day it wa. Fab report also.

I didn't manage much either as the photo shows 

[dances with badgers]

i could'nt make it due to short notice change of plan but weldone to all those who did

[Pipster]

Super report and pics, well done to you all 

[falcon.]

Looks like you guys had a very good day well done to you all ,great pics too.

[dragonsbreath(Paul)]

Was a pleasant day in a good location didnt find anything myself but saw some cracking finds on the day.
Was good to speak to loads of peeps to renew friendships and meet new people
With a special hello to Val was good to chat ...see you all, again soon as long as i remain fit....PaulB.

[wayno]

Thanks To DW for a brilliant Rally again with very good company always a pleasure to meet up with the members. I managed to find some Roman a 1st century brooch and a Vitellius Denarius.
Which appears to not be that common I have identified it as a Vitellius Denarius. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head right / PONT MAXIM, Vesta seated right, holding scepter and patera. RSC 72, BMC 34.
Unfortunately the coin is worn and a lot of scratches on it I think this is due to be rolled along the surface of the field for a while as it was barely an inch in the earth

Great Rally great write up Geoff see you all on the next rally

[rookypair]

Another great rally, thanks to the organisers and, of course to 'Mr Farmer'. Weather was great, good to talk to people and see finds just after they were winkled out.  We had a few bits and bobs but nothing worth photographing or even mentioning really but had a good day all the same.
Can't wait for the next one
Best wishes everyone
Rookypair
 

[ancientpat]

Enjoyed the rally, the first one Barrie and I have been able to visit for ages and although we didn't have any great finds we both had a good time and I enjoyed showing off Barrie's gold coin. I was looking after it for him as he has a habit of losing things he has found, lost his glasses yesterday luckily Wayne had picked them up and we  went home  with everything.

                                 Pat.

[relichunting]

Sounds like all had a good time,with a few nice finds

I went to the WW rally and finds were very poor for the amount of people there

All i found was a cut quarter hammered all weekend

Left at 10.30 today i didn't fancy getting soaking wet for bullets and buttons