Copper Alloy Vessel, Tostock

A little globular copper alloy vessel slightly less than 4cm tall, found near Tostock. It was found in excellent condition apart from a small hole on one side of the neck. A number of similar vessels have been reported from across England and Wales, but for a long time their function remained a mystery. Theories

Anglo-Saxon ‘Ansate’ Brooch, Thurston

A copper alloy late Anglo-Saxon ‘ansate’ brooch, found near Thurston. It has two circular flat terminals connected by a low arched bow and engraved decoration on its outer face. This example is unusual because it seems to have had a composite construction unlike others of its type. These usually have a pin attached to the

Silver Penny of Harold I, Essex

A silver penny issued by the 11th century monarch Harold I, also often known as Harold Harefoot (he is said to have received the name for his speed and skill as a hunter). The penny survives in remarkably good condition. On the obverse we can see a classical style diademed bust of Harold facing left

Iron Age Gold Stater, Isleham

A gold quarter stater of the Atrebates, probably dating c. 60-20 BC and found in the Isleham area, Cambridgeshire. The coin is uninscribed, bearing no name of any ruler, and is a smaller gold denomination referred to as a quarter stater. Stater is a modern name and not the name a person in the Iron

Scandinavian Sword Pommel, Needham Market

A copper alloy gilt Scandinavian sword pommel from near Needham Market, probably dating c. 850-975 AD. This pommel is ‘zoomorphic’, with elements which take the form of animals. Its sides depict boar’s heads, showing snarling teeth and with their tusks prominently projecting. These flank the central panel on the pommel, which displays a curving space

Iron Age Brooch, Exning

An Iron Age copper-alloy bow brooch from Exning, dating c. 450-300 BC. This brooch is an “La Tene I” style brooch. The entire object has been cast in one piece, with a coiled spring at its top and a so-called ‘reverted’ foot that turns back on itself. This example is quite plain, demonstrating only some

Silver Penny of Alfred the Great, Exning

A base silver penny of Alfred the Great, dating c. AD 871-875 and found in the Exning area. The coin is of Alfred’s first issue, being made of a less pure silver than most other Anglo-Saxon pennies. The obverse depicts the diademed head of the king facing right, accompanied by the legend ‘AELBRED REX’ (Alfred,

First World War Medal, Exning

A silver ‘British War Medal’ dating c. 1918-1920, awarded to one Private Harry Thomas Hogg of the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, found in Exning. Over 6.5 million examples of this medal were manufactured, the vast majority in silver. At 36mm in diameter and at a weight of almost 30g, this is a large and

Trade Token of the Ipswich Town Corporation, Diss

A trade token from the Diss area issued by the Ipswich town corporation, dated 1670. On its obverse face the token displays the inscription ‘AN IPSWICH FARTHING 1670’ arranged in four lines, while on its reverse are the arms of Ipswich arranged within a shield (per pale, dexter: a lion rampant, sinister: three ship’s hulls).

Silver Siliqua of Julian II, Mildenhall

A silver siliqua struck for Emperor Julian II, dating from AD 360-361. The coin depicts on its obverse face the profile bust of Julian II facing right, accompanied by the legend FL CL IVLIAN-VS P P AVG. ‘P P’ is the abbreviated form of ‘Pater Patriae’, an honorific title given to most Emperors on taking