AWESOME day at a mansion near my home...

[SilverFinger]

Got permission a few weeks ago to hunt an old bed and breakfast by my home. Built around the turn on the century. Found lots of clad, a silver trinity ring, a silver pendant, a gold plated costume ring, a '51 Washington (WOO HOO!) and a very unique rosary that opens up and someone put little notes written in Latin (can only make out "Agnus Dei" "Ex Oss" and "S. Ursula". Can anyone help with some details to what/why the rosary?

 

[CladGrabber]

Wow nice finds!

 

[el remolino]

Silver is always nice, but interesting finds all the way around.

 

[vpnavy]

 

[Plumbata]

Where did you find the cross? It looks like it never touched soil.

Anyway, it is not a rosary. It is an antique "Reliquary" cross, and if my interpretation of the latin is correct, it contains a 1st class relic "from the bones" of Saint Ursula. Whether or not it actually contains remnants of someone who died in the 4th century is debatable. For example, there are enough relics purported to contain a sliver of the "True Cross" to build Ship of the Line. Reliquaries are far more uncommon and valuable than simple rosaries or medallions, though their sale is considered a religious taboo. 1st class relics, from the body of the saint him/herself are the most "holy", followed by 2nd class items such as pieces of clothing worn by the individual, and 3rd/4th class relics are pieces of cloth or other materials touched to a 1st or 2nd class relic and then blessed. From the Catholic standpoint, I believe that the sale of 3rd and 4th class relics is OK, but the sale of 1st and 2nd class relics would be considered "simony".

I'd figure that the reliquary is worth at least 100 bucks. Nice find.

 

[SilverFinger]

Where did you find the cross? It looks like it never touched soil.

Awesome.... Thanks for all the info and you sir, have quite the keen eye for detail. You are correct. Only part of this was under the dirt. Most of it was still on top, sticking out. I didn't even detect it, I just looked down and saw it sticking out. There's no doubt it's old, can't tell how long ago it was dropped but the string attached is still intact. Very worn, but clean. A church took the bed n breakfast over in the 1950's and sold it back in the 1960's. They'd have bible study in what is now a little jazz club in the basement of the bed n breakfast. I'd sure like to sell it to help finance my MD dealership, or a second buddy detector but I don't want any bad juju. But can Jesus give you bad juju? Maybe I was meant to find it so I can sell it to help fund my little online business? God works in mysterious ways....

Anyway, it is not a rosary. It is an antique "Reliquary" cross, and if my interpretation of the latin is correct, it contains a 1st class relic "from the bones" of Saint Ursula. Whether or not it actually contains remnants of someone who died in the 4th century is debatable. For example, there are enough relics purported to contain a sliver of the "True Cross" to build Ship of the Line. Reliquaries are far more uncommon and valuable than simple rosaries or medallions, though their sale is considered a religious taboo. 1st class relics, from the body of the saint him/herself are the most "holy", followed by 2nd class items such as pieces of clothing worn by the individual, and 3rd/4th class relics are pieces of cloth or other materials touched to a 1st or 2nd class relic and then blessed. From the Catholic standpoint, I believe that the sale of 3rd and 4th class relics is OK, but the sale of 1st and 2nd class relics would be considered "simony".

I'd figure that the reliquary is worth at least 100 bucks. Nice find.

 

[thommo59]

What's the deal when you get permission,m do you offer your finds to the owner or some sort of split deal?

 

[cjon455]

That is an awesome day! Good for u

 

[park pirate]

Nice..

 

[beez0404]

very nice finds.

 

[SilverFinger]

I paid him $25 to hunt there. Seems like a lot, I know but I'd like to go back. He snagged the '51 Washington out of my hand and my heart dropped. I offered him $15 for it and he agreed. Sometimes its the value of the experience and not the actual item that makes it worth it.

NOBODY'S gonna snag my '51 Washington!

 

[Zerick]

Very nice finds! That Reliquary is awesome!