Still working through lockdown and receiving objects through email, but that hasn’t stopped some rather interesting finds coming in.

Most recently is this copper-alloy Roman object. I say object because at around 40mm it is too big to be a sestersius. The portrait appears to be Antonine in date and could be of Faustina, the daughter of Antoninus Pius and wife of Marcus Aurelius. A double sesersius has been suggested but this would need to be a century later with a radiate bust.

It could be a medallion but it appears more as a coin. It is also unusually squared with rounded corners. This one is still undergoing research and seeing it in person should reveal more.

Next up is a decorative Roman vessel escutcheon of 1st – 2nd century date. It appears to be in the form of a Maenad, a follower of the God Bacchus, and would have likely been attached by lead melted in the back as there is no other clear sign of attachment.

This next item is rather interesting. It is most likely a pommel for a late Iron Age or early Roman dagger as it appears too small for a sword. There are some very typical types of sword and dagger pommels from the period but also some more unusual. Only received this one this week, so I’ll be doing some more research

There was also two coins which were a first for me to record, both 17th century Commonwealth coins. Both were either damaged or cut but there were enough features to identify them as a shilling (above) and a penny (below). Both feature conjoined shields of St. George and Ireland with mark of value XII (Shilling) and I (Penny) above with a sun initial mark.

Finally is this wild boar carved from wood. It is unclear how old it is as wood doesn’t preserve well unless in the right conditions. It is one big pig and it will be fun trying to find out more about it.

As always thanks to the finders for their photographs. I’ll be seeing all of these objects in person in the middle of the year to confirm the identification and get them fully recorded.