jelida

Sorry George, as I said above to make anything out of the photo is wishful thinking, it is probably clearer in the hand. But the coin you have identified it as is an incredibly rare coin of Roman Judea, not a coin likely to have made its way to Britain. You need to show it to an expert for an accurate opinion, and even then it may be too far gone.

Happy 2016 to all, may those wants be met and dreams be fulfilled, except of course for the penny boys, they're mine, all mine? (fiendish cackling)! Best wishes to everyone, Jerry

Those are of fine, delicate construction, with tiny loops/flanges to tie on a fine line, and are unarguably suitable for fishing, and also from the Eastern Mediterranean, quite unlike any Roman fish-hooks found in the UK. Despite the similar terminal wings, they rather emphasize the differences from yours, which looks more suited to a coarse string or chain. While not impossible, there are many more likely uses for this hook. Without an archaeological context for this find, sadly it cannot be securely identified or dated. However you seem to have started a thread with legs. Maybe I'll post a few of my finds too.....in the New Year. Have a good one! Jerry

Another interesting find, I wonder what it was used for. You quite commonly find similar hooks, without the terminal flanges or barb, used with chain on harness or farm implements, on any farm land. Roman fish hooks generally seem to be much smaller, more akin to our size 4, 6 or 8. The thing about smith made tools is that they are often non-standard, for a specific purpose; perhaps this was used for meat in a trap, or to hook a bale or net, or something similar. Coming back to the dentures, I think the id may be right, though they would have been so impractical that they could only have been worn briefly, presumably, at meal-time. But don't be afraid to question even Finds Liaison Officer id's, none of the lead 'denture' objects seem to reference a contextually indisputable archaeological find . Over time I have seen many supposed id's change in the light of further evidence. And FLO's themselves vary in experience. In the late '90's, when the scheme first started, I was asked to be on the interview panel for the Wales FLO at the NMW, along with Roger Bland from the BM and local museum staff. We interviewed six shortlisted candidates, all good on paper. I had prepared a tray of typical identifiable finds from Roman to Modern, some of which were distorted, rare or 'partefacts'. Only two of the candidates demonstrated any real practical ability in identifying, or even describing what they saw, and yet most were prepared to hazard a guess. That is often what you get with more obscure objects and less experienced FLO's. Not ours, of course. Usually. Jerry

Well I never, good link, you learn something new every day! Certainly the contours of the PAS one do suggest how it might have fitted the gum, though I wonder how practical they were- you'd have to be desperate! Jerry

I'm afraid I dont see the item as false teeth either, and cant find anything similar on the net. Look much too deep, poorly shaped, no clear articular or gum surface, and softness and weight would have been impractical. Denture making was always a skilled profession, most simply went without. Jerry

It is the right size and appearance for a Roman grot, and there may be a portrait but it is too far gone to be sure. You will have more luck with the coin in hand, rather than any photo I'm afraid. Do you have a local FLO? he might help. Jerry

Impossible to date accurately by style and function, though I agree the Lead Carbonate patina suggests a good age, could be anything from Roman to C18, and have performed one of many functions through loom weight, steelyard weight, trade weight, net weight and I'm sure there are dozens more possibilities . It is quite large, and the nearest in size that I have came from a Roman site. Jerry

Looks like the classic 'twisted sixpence', George, they are usually worn William III coins, and often quite abraded on the high-lights created by the 'S' shaped bends. I have found many over the years. I dont really believe the 'betrothal' idea of two sixpences twisted together, I suspect they were gaming pieces or had some other use. Jerry

Missed by me too, thats a good buy, well done. Jerry

The biggest issue I encounter at my local detecting club is persuading finders not to rub a coin immediately on recovery, the adherent soil acts as fine sandpaper and this is the usual cause of the 'Brillo pad' effect. I have convinced a few, largely through my find displays when I give a talk, but the instinct seems difficult to overcome. Jerry

Well done , in all my years of detecting I've never found a George I silver; the reverse is actually quite reasonable for a soil found coin, shame the obverse isn't a little less worn. Jerry

Looks like severe (multiple) die clashing to me, often seen on earlier bun pennies though rarely to this degree. Jerry

Shame about the sprouts. But I hope you and yours are safe and dry. Jerry

Terribly sad for many, but I do like your last link; developers should be obliged to pay onto a fund that indemnifies their house purchasers against flood damage in perpetuity, might encourage them not to build in stupid places, and prevent us (the taxpayer) having to try and protect properties that others in their greed throw up without a care as to the consequences. Me, I'm looking forward to the 600ft sea level rise that means I can fish from my garden into 'Pontypool Fiord'. Its become a frequent topic of conversation with my neighbour in the pub. Jerry

You could try the copper coins of G3?. But seriously, Rob is probably your man here. Jerry

Hi Richard, this is going to develop in to a superlative reference, but I also have a couple of queries; I cannot see the F72 with ja reverse listed, and I note that you have not followed Goubys rarity estimate in every case , notably in the Gouby F varieties, and 1882 F114 and 115; I have always found F114 to be considerably scarcer (as reflected by Freeman, R10 and R4 respectively). I appreciate this may be deliberate , in line with your own research. Have you used your own rarity estimates on occasion? The F72 ja will clearly be rarer than normal F72, for example, but Gouby listed them together. And a little clarification of the years covered in your varietal lists, there is overlap in the titles correctly not reflected in the content. Jerry

Merry Christmas to all! I'm off to the pub with my son, when I get back the women will be merry and the dinner on the table. Then, like a sated anaconda, I'll curl up for a sleep somewhere. Twas ever thus.

Works for me, typed it in.

Excellent Richard, a fine reference, thanks for all the effort you put in on behalf of us penny lovers! Penny lovers? Makes us sound cheap...what is the word? Denariologists? Pennyphiles? (liable to mis-interpretation) Pennyologists? Need some help here! Anyway, Merry Xmas everybody! Jerry

I've had a couple of these in fields across the water from you, and of course the later round ones are commonplace, obviously circulated widely.

Active (ie bright green, powdery) verdigris has to be removed or it will progressively eat away more of the coin. Inactive could possibly be watched, but I dont trust it. On archaeological finds I conserve with lovely carcinogens like benzotriazole, but does darken the patina. Info on the web, but risky to health without due precaution. As I said before, verdicare is helpful, but mechanical picking is still required. It will be interesting to see how Paulus gets on with the stuff mentioned elsewhere on the forum. Jerry

I'm with Coinery on this one, I dont consider removing detrimental surface contaminants (salts, greases, wax, oils) 'cleaning' in the perjorative numismatic sense of the word, but rather preventative conservation; the surface structure and composition of the coin itself is not altered , rather future damage from acids and salts is prevented. Dealing with copper alloys this is otherwise a very real risk long term. I suspect the break-down of organic deposits including skin oils and the chloride and acid salts released within to be the main cause of verdigris, aggravated by atmospheric moisture. Jerry

I have had good success tackling verd with verdicare, but a binocular microscope is essential I feel as the softened verd needs mechanical loosening. If do-able, would go for the better grade. Jerry

And I loved his attempt to declare it unique, and that CGS couldnt value it as they hadnt seen one before. I doubt he'll make much profit on it. Jerry