My English adventure

[DownNDirty]

I recently returned from a two-week excursion across the big pond; my wife is British & we were visiting the in-laws so you know I had to bring the detector.

We stayed on the grounds of a large estate that includes a hall built in 1612 and a still active Anglican church constructed in the early part of the 14th century. I received permission to detect the grounds of the estate including a grassy area next to the church.








While I didn't find anything old by UK standards I did find coins dating back to the late 17th century, WWII relics and a lot of other interesting finds. By far my best find was Dent 18 carat gold pocketwatch from the late 1800's or early 1900's. A monogram on the back of the case tied it to the owners' family so I gave it to them; see the "Honerable Mention" forum for the full story:
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/h...cketwatch-family-reunion-100-years-later.html












I found a lot of coins with the oldest being a barely discernible William and Mary Irish halfpenny.












































During WWII there was a RAF base about a mile from the hall & the RAF officers' quarters were in the hall. On the grounds I found two 50caliber casings and a third that was unfired; the unfired one is a tracer round. These were from the machine guns of fighter planes and were actually made in St. Louis and Lake City Missouri.

Here are my other finds:

 

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[DirtStalker]

Great saves and story DnD. I know you hated to leave. Thanks for sharing...Finally.. Lol

 

[John Winter]

Pleased that you had a good time.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[excav]

I think those are .50 cal. rounds. 50 mm. would be about 2" in dia.

 

[DownNDirty]

Sorry you are right-I meant 50 caliber.

 

[46Wheat]

Nice finds from the trip across the pond

 

[CRUSADER]

The 'Star' Button that you put on its edge is a circa 1830s Livery Button & the Star is not at the right angle.

 

[thrifty76now]

You really did very very well on that old English mansion I l like seeing old British coins.

 

[sutphin]

HEY DIRTY DOWN THAT IS ONE OLD AS HAEL HORSE SHOE AND IM JUST GONNA SAY A HECK OF A COLLECTION ON THE COINS AND OTHER ITEMS SEEMS YOU HAD A GREAT TIME ABROAD.

 

[2moshers]

Brings back some fond memories DownNDirty. My mother is also from England (Stockton Heath-Warrington). We lived with my (English) grandparents for several months when I was a 9 year old boy (back in the 1960s) while my USAF father was looking for housing at his station in Wiesbaden, Germany. As a young coin collector I was granted permission by many small shop owners to go through their tills looking for old coins. To this day I still have each and every one of them, many similar to those you recently found. The thrill of the 'hunt' is still with me today just as it was many years ago. I guess I am still a kid at heart!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Awesome permission and recoveries! Congratulations.

 

[DownNDirty]

The 'Star' Button that you put on its edge is a circa 1830s Livery Button & the Star is not at the right angle.

Thanks for the info; the picture got turned sideways somehow. Weren't livery buttons worn by servants of prominent families?

 

[Brother Al]

That is one mighty fine watch sir.....star of the show in my opinion!

 

[Gridwalker306]

You sure found some nice old stuff there! I'm going to England in March, hope I do as well as you!

 

[Erik in NJ]

Very nice group of finds you recovered there. Did you get a chance to eat a Toad in a Hole or a Spotted D-i-c-k pudding while you were there (they have some hilarious names for certain dishes)?? My wife is British and so we have spent several holidays there visiting the in-laws. Of course the fish and chips is second to none and lots of other great authentic dishes. I love it!

 

[ajaj]

Thanks for the update. Wow, most of those coins are well worn, but you did manage some silver.

aj

 

[DownNDirty]

Very nice finds. Did you get a chance to eat a Toad in a Hole or a Spotted D-i-c-k pudding while you were there?? My wife is British and so we have spent several holidays there visiting the in-laws. There are even sausages called f-a-g-g-o-t-s there if you're in the mood for some authentic English food. I love it!

I have had toad in the hole but not the others. I love English food and I must have gained ten pounds there. English breakfast, pork pies, Scotch eggs-and pubs in small villages are awesome (can you say ale on tap?)

 

[robfinds]

that's some watch

 

[Erik in NJ]

I have had toad in the hole but not the others. I love English food and I must have gained ten pounds there. English breakfast, pork pies, Scotch eggs-and pubs in small villages are awesome (can you say ale on tap?)

My God, that was a picture perfect location you gained access to. With the 14th century church right there, I am a bit surprised you didn't find anything older, but I had a similar experience in a pasture adjacent to a similar church in Devon. Mostly 18th-19th C items although some nice ones including a beautiful Sterling silver carnelian domed thimble, a love token, a sweetheart pin, as well as a pin made from a 1901 Victoria silver coin to honor her passing I guess. The outliers were two bronze Roman coins, a Dupondius and a Sesturtius (toasted unfortunately), but still exciting to me and this was in an area where there was no Roman activity.

Your livery button is a very nice find. The Exergue line would be at the bottom like this one I found on the same trip, but in the Bath/Bristol area--where my in-laws live.

Anyway, really enjoyed your story and pics of your finds--wish I was in England right now!

 

[DownNDirty]

My God, that was a picture perfect location you gained access to. With the 14th century church right there, I am a bit surprised you didn't find anything older, but I had a similar experience in a pasture adjacent to a similar church in Devon. Mostly 18th-19th C items although some nice ones including a beautiful Sterling silver carnelian domed thimble, a love token, a sweetheart pin, as well as a pin made from a 1901 Victoria silver coin to honor her passing I guess. The outliers were two bronze Roman coins, a Dupondius and a Sesturtius (toasted unfortunately), but still exciting to me and this was in an area where there was no Roman activity.

Your livery button is a very nice find. The Exergue line would be at the bottom like this one I found on the same trip, but in the Bath/Bristol area--where my in-laws live.

Anyway, really enjoyed your story and pics of your finds--wish I was in England right now!

Thanks Eric-sounds like you did well yourself. I think the reason I didn't find anything older than 17th century relics is because I used my Fisher F2. It's a great entry level machine but the max depth for coins is about 8 inches. The next time I go over there I will have an AT Pro and I think it will be a whole different ballgame. My inlaws are very good friends with the owners & actually rent a house on the grounds that was built around 1760 so I'm sure I will be detecting there sometime in the future.