Silver discoveries unearthed by metal detectorists were declared treasure

Four treasure finds, including a post-medieval silver pendant and a post-medieval silver thimble, were declared treasure.

The silver items were declared treasure by HM Acting Senior Coroner for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, Paul Bennett.

A post-medieval silver pendant (Treasure Case 20.12) was found by Mr Nicholas Davies during metal detecting in the Llansteffan Community, Carmarthenshire in July 2020.

As a treasure find, the pendant was safely deposited at Amgueddfa Cymru to be identified and reported by Sian Iles, Curator of Medieval and Later Archaeology.

detail

This double-sided medallion shows on one side the profile of King Charles I, facing right and with the Latin inscription “CAROLVS. DG MAG. b[RI. FR.]AND. HIB. RX’ around the outer edge.

The reverse shows Queen Henrietta Maria in profile, looking to the left. The inscription around the border reads this time ‘HENRIETTA MARIA. DGMAG GREAT BRITAIN. FRAN. AND. HIB. REG’.

The name ‘T. The stamp “Rawlins” is stamped under her chest. Both portraits are housed in a simple frame with a hanging loop at the top and a single button on each side.

Royalist commemorative pendants like this one date back to the 17th century^Th Century.

They were probably given away to friends and supporters of Charles I during the Civil War. Almost identical examples can be found in the collections of the British Museum and the Royal Collections Trust, also marked Thomas Rawlins.

Rawlins was an engraver and medalist at the court of Charles I and was reinstated to office by Charles II after the Restoration.

“Precious moment”

The finder, Nick Davies, said: “I visited the field on a particularly warm and dry July morning, which often limits the number of finds one discovers.

“However, this time I got a confident reading on the metal detector. As I retrieved the signal from the hole, I carefully revealed a silver oval object with the prominent bust of an elegant lady.

“I savored the precious moment, sitting down and holding this truly magnificent find, trying to imagine the story it would tell. Who had dropped it? What connections did they have to this? How did you get this article?”

Community benefit

Sian Iles, Curator of Medieval and Later Archaeology, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, said: “The civil wars in Wales were a time of conflicting loyalties between supporters of the King and Parliament.

“This silver badge with portraits of King Charles I and his Queen Henrietta was worn by a Royalist supporter; an outward sign of their loyalty to the king and his cause and evidence of the sympathies of the royalists in Wales.”

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism – Councilor Hazel Evans said: “The discovery of this object is another great example of how collaboration between metal detectorists, PAS Cymru and Amgueddfa Cymru can benefit communities.

“This beautiful silver pendant sheds light on the fascinating history of Carmarthenshire in the 17th century.

“By providing the engraver’s name, CofGâr can bring to life not only stories about the Stuart monarchy, but also stories of ordinary people with extraordinary skills that will amaze today’s audiences.”

Carmarthenshire Museum has expressed interest in acquiring this find for its collection following an independent valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee.

More finds

A post-medieval thimble (Treasure Chest 22.12) was found by Mr Robert Edwards during metal detecting in the Carew Community, Pembrokeshire in November 2020.

The find was first handed over to Mark Lodwick, Finds Coordinator for the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Wales (PAS Cymru), before being deposited with the experienced curators of Amgueddfa Cymru at the National Museum Cardiff for identification and reporting.

The thimble is high, narrow, but heavy. It consists of two parts, with the rounded top soldered to the main body. Six transverse bands are placed in a zigzag pattern around the body and layered over an incised brick or basket weave pattern.

The engraving in the band at the base reads: ‘*LYKE STYLE AND LOVE EVER’ in serified Roman capital letters.

“Posy” inscriptions can be seen on several 17^Th 19th century silver hats from all over England and Wales. Examples from Cardiff, Kent and Hampshire were all reported under the Treasure Act 1996.

Romantic passages like these are very similar to those found on contemporary posy rings. Perhaps thimbles, worn on fingers while doing needlework, were considered intimate (and therefore romantic) possessions, suitable as gifts between lovers.

The finder, Rob Edwards, said: “I was out in the shade of an oak tree and had no luck until I changed the program and found a great, clear signal.

“At first I thought it might be a sixpence, but to my surprise it was something silver – and not a coin! It wasn’t until later, when I saw the similar waffle pattern on another thimble, that I knew I had found something special.

“To be honest, my cousin (who is also my detective partner) was a little jealous!

“I like to think about who used it. Was it used in the lock I could see on the other side? Did anyone get into trouble when it was lost? I’m so happy I was able to share it with the rest of you.”

Tenby Museum & Art Gallery has expressed interest in acquiring this find for its collection following an independent valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee.

Also declared as treasure were:

• A Bronze Age hoard consisting of 4 copper alloy fragments, all probably of ax heads (Treasure Chest 22.01). This was found by Mr Tony Narbett and Mr Jake Webster while metal detecting in Llawhaden Community, Pembrokeshire in January 2022. The Haverfordwest Town Museum has expressed interest in acquiring this find for its collection following an independent valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee.
• A medieval silver seal matrix (Treasure Case 22.04) was found by Mr Jake Webster while metal detecting in the Llawhaden Community, Pembrokeshire. Tenby Museum has expressed interest in acquiring this find for its collection following an independent valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee.