Treasure Hunting Magazine

28/07/2024

CANT BEAT A GOOD GROAT.
Finding a hammered can often be the 'marker' for a good day's detecting or a weekend away. Finding a wonderfully conditioned groat is something else indeed. It took me ages to find my first one and that was 25 years ago or so and since then my records show I've had eight of them, (and around 18 halfgroats) only one of which is in good nick. The first example shown here is one of Edward IV sent in for a Reader Finds two days ago by David and what a beauty. The second one is one I saw at a dig a few years ago and the third and fourth (the fourth example being one from the Bristol mint) are both my finds. Apologies not sure who the monarch is on the last three as I'm rubbish at hammereds, I was told years ago but have long since forgotten lol- Got to say as a side note - WOW there have been some wonderful and fabulous finds posted up on social media over this weekend and as a billy bonus harvest is well under way too - Love this time of year - Best Jules.

26/07/2024

BARN FINDS
The term Barn Finds I first heard many years ago and now seems to be ever popular on many American antiques hunting TV programmes When I was a a kid in rural Hertfordshire many farms lay derelict and deserted after their last owners passed away as did several cottages - Seems they had no relatives or surviving close family which was strange - Many of these farms had outbuildings which to a 13 year old with a developing interest in history and a slashing battle through brambles and dense ground elder were packed with wonders. Things such as ancient black Raleigh pushbikes with their crumbling perished rubber tyres, Victorian lawn mowers, boxes of oil soaked tools, jars of strange mysterious chemicals and more.
HOME GUARD HUT
In one clump of brambles I found a Home Guard hut complete with chairs, desk, tea cups, two tin helmets and a wooden box complete with its stash of of phosphorous grenades. One barn had newspapers from the 1880s all over the attic floor. Another had a complete Bechstein grande piano in it along with a mint condition bright red Austin Healey 'frogeye' sports car under loads of decaying hay. Another curious find was a leather suitcase that had belonged to a boxer in the 1940s that had over £1000 of foreign denomination notes and an aluminium tin containing 500 condoms in it?? Crikey lol. Then there was the case of the two Napoleonic swords -But that's another story.
TRAPPING HISTORY
Barns of course were designed as outbuildings for storage and or livestock but sometimes they also 'trap' things relating to events that have happened nearby. One old farm I was shown in France still had rotten Second World War British Army and German Army greatcoats still hanging up in one room - which turned to a damp splodge as you touched them. The ground floor of that barn was covered in German tank parts - I recall another barn full of Roman quernstones gathered by farm workers over the years and that lead to me discovering a villa but that's another story - In fact you can read many of these in my autobiography My Detecting Life - Best Jules' apologies that was an unforgiveable and dreadful plug there. Take for example during the war an air crash happened nearby - yes the authorities would apply various levels of clear up - and some large bits left in situ or nearby may well find themselves removed and stored away in a local barn removing their inconvenience - I once saw half of a B17 bomber wing stored in a barn - yep that's another story -
HISTORY IN THE BARN
Well recently its happened again a derelict farm in Kent was being renovated and some sections so dilapidated they required knocking down. However due to the diligence of Gary who was employed to do this an amazing item was saved from the scrap heap - a Second World War MG15 machine gun taken from a crashed German bomber!! Who originally nicked or 'liberated' it? What plane did it come from? And just what happened to its crew? All that and much more will be revealed in a future issue of Treasure Hunting Magazine. Have a great weekend all making those finds out in the fields - or maybe even in an old barn or two who knows? - Best Jules

24/07/2024

TWO-FACED CAMBRIDGESHIRE CROTAL
Everybody loves a crotal bell, they are almost a 'marker' in our hobby like the first hammered and are often desired by many a detectorist. Unfortunately it seems they occur in patches over Britain being predominantly found in the Midlands and Southern Counties with the occasional clusters or stragglers found elsewhere. This amazing and rather rare specimen was recently unearthed in Cambridgeshire by Sam it bears two bearded ragged haired or sunburst style faces (reminding me very much of those early Sun Alliance type of lead firemarks) and what they represent is under some serious discussion. You can read all about the day it was unearthed as well as some of the suggestions as to representation in a future issue of Treasure Hunting magazine.

24/07/2024

CHURCH SEARCH
‘I’ve just got permission for a field right next to a church’ or ‘the rally site includes a field next to a very ancient church’ are both tantalising and exciting potential finds prospects for any detectorist – For centuries churches have been the gathering point of the community with many paths and tracks leading to them - all of which are worth a search along their routes too if permission can be sought. Many of those over the passing centuries would head here having pockets full (or not as the case maybe) of coins or artefacts to offer. Many times, on a newish permission I’ll have a glance upwards just to see where the tower of the old church is – almost as if to reassure myself.
ROMAN VILLAS AND CASTING BELLS
Churches are worth examining for the fabric used in their construction as in the 1100-1400s many local Roman villa remains were robbed for this cause - Tiles (of the right sort) in the tower will indicate a Roman villa nearby – The first pic here is of a church on Mersea Island where if you zoom in on the tower you will see loads of Roman floor tiles used in its construction- Mersea church was actually built on a Roman villa (as were several other churches across the UK) probably symbolic of Christianity stamping its foot on the supposed Pagan origins of the site. The second pic is of a delightful round towered late Saxon origin church which is in Great Leighs, Essex and is only one of six such examples in the county. It also has Roman tiles in its construction too. It houses five bells made by Miles Graye in 1634 - most interestingly documentation shows that Miles actually cast these bells near to and in the churchyard. This was a common and convenient practice for heavy bell manufacture and almost certainly explains the presence of many of those great lumpy or flat chunks of greenish tinned looking heavy metal many of us find nearby to churches. Such churches often contain brasses, memorials to famous locals and incidents as well as other evidence that might also reflect on your finds potential in the area.
RECORDS OF LOCAL STUFF
Church records can be consulted too - often usefully bearing dates and the sites of local events such as fairs, executions, local festivities, or other major events such as wartime air-crashes. Many churches have interesting clue-giving stained-glass windows and can sometimes hold ancient curios relating to medieval myths and legends - their entrances and interiors can also bear extensive graffiti (The third pic is of an inner wall surface in Ashwell) of such as names or dates - I’ve seen such dating from medieval times to a passing American GI in 1944. As well as being centres of religion your local (or not local) church can often offer an at a glance ready reckoner for future finds potential - you just have to stop, look and interpret it - When dear old Henry VIII carried on his anti-Church policy much of the church-based metallic loot was accidentally dropped nearby, sometimes involving artefacts and fragments from much earlier periods - same later on when the Parliamentarians under Cromwell had a good old loot too, probably explaining the many book and Bible clasps found nearby as the books were ripped up and cast aside -
SPOOKY?
Some people think churches are spooky and the fourth pic taken some years ago at Wimpole Hall does support that feeling, as does the fifth pic of a church at Chesfield and admittedly when the sun drops on a late summer’s evening and the local barn owl starts a hollering, squeaking and wheezing from the dark shadowy blob-like yew bushes yep okay there’s no doubt one’s mind can wander. The only shiver and spook I get looking at such buildings relates to the fact I’ve been married in them three times - obviously I have an affinity to the spongey texture of wedding cake - apart from that these buildings reveal much of interest - so go check them where and whenever possible and please do let me know what you discover and consequently what you may find as a result- All the very best Jules

23/07/2024

19/07/2024

YES - AT LAST IT BEGINS
Well it certainly is in Essex anyway - Amazing ripening speed too - one day the wheat is green two days later its well on the yellow turn - Also seen numerous Oilseed fields that have already been combined producing dust plumes of glory. I know detecting Oilseed stubble is like battling 'British Bamboo' but you've gotta do what you've gotta do - On a side note I've even seen a few ripening blackberries - Now that's well early - Even found a bees nest too out and about on our wanderings but that's one delicious harvest I feel is too risky to undertake LOL - Oh the anticipation this time of year brings eh? - Meanwhile wishing everyone a brilliant weekend and may your pouches, pods or pockets bulge with finds. If they do I'd be delighted as always to hear from you. All the very best Jules.

18/07/2024

BRONZE AGE HAMMER-HEAD
Well done to Debbie who has just unearthed a rather rare Bronze Age hammer-head on a club dig in West Sussex. Debbie mentions that the night before the dig her head was filled with thoughts of finding something Bronze Age - The very next day the hammer-head came to light. I think many of us can relate to having thoughts on certain things and then next day or a few weeks time you actually find them. Is it fate, law of averages or just pure luck or even a combo of all three? Great stuff and thank you for sharing, Debbie's account of finding this superb artefact will be featured in a future issue of Treasure Hunting magazine. Best Jules.

16/07/2024

THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL HOBBY
A thoroughly well-used metal detector will quickly show itself to be a pretty good stand in for a time machine. Reaching back deep into our past heritage and time lining your modern day made finds right back to possibly thousands of years ago. Right back to the last person to touch and of course lose or bury them. A detector is a brilliant key often involved in the unlocking of metallic based history that no other practice or item can compare with. Although it is a symbolic ‘key’ in itself sometimes our detectors will also unearth the functional variety too. Some very rare examples have nothing to do with unlocking or padlocks but were used to tune musical instruments such as lyres. And of course those little keys to wind up watches. Some examples of my key finds are shown here (A lyre tuning key being noticeably absent) ranging from Roman to Georgian mostly found in Cambridgeshire. Best Jules.

15/07/2024

A SHORT BATTLE OF BRITAIN THEME STORY FOR YOU

This was written a few years back and as recently it was the 84th anniversary of the start of this epic air battle I thought this was once again appropriate. Best Jules.

At the air show, ninety seven year old wheelchair bound ex RAF Flight Lieutenant Reginald Humbles propelled himself across the freshly cut grass. The same grassed strip where 75 years before he had, as a much younger man been propelled across whilst seated in a Hurricane fighter. ‘Hell, how one`s life can be changed by the years’ Reg thought. He loved these air shows a true sign that people still cared and to some degree remembered the exploits that he himself had experienced and so many other men who unlike himself could not attend. He came to an abrupt halt and acknowledged six other men bedecked in medals like himself, veterans from the Battle of Britain. Reg noted the rubber wheels of his wheelchair were covered in drying grass and with his hands he brushed it away. Years of taking pride in one`s appearance and strict training had not deserted him. ‘Hell, just look at my hands’ he thought ‘the skin looks tissue thin, great purple and brown blotches and wriggling blue veins all over’. Now Reg hadn`t been feeling too good over the last few months, he had been having some rather strange experiences which he had in his practical style consigned to having lived for nearly a century. Some had felt like he had floated out of his body and just observed life from above, they really were rather strange.

He positioned himself in the shade provided by the wing of some paint flaking 1960`s airliner. For the first couple of hours, he acknowledges a host of admirers, answered hundreds of questions, and probably autographed the same number of books. His two sons John and Derek had brought him over for the day and he loved it, especially people watching...the arguing family, the whining child who wanted a particular toy that was too expensive, the crying little girl who looked down dismally at a molten tarmac melting ice cream it was all here. He particularly enjoyed looking at the trade stands with their stunning paintings and books. He even noticed three men wandering around dressed in authentic 1940`s RAF uniforms that was really great. He looked over in the shimmering midday heat and sympathised with those in the snakelike queues originating from strategically positioned ice cream and burger vans. The summer sun beat down with just the odd cloud passing above. Reg saw it all, but he also saw other things too, he saw the huge oak trees over the far side of the airfield remembering when a trainee Wellington bomber crew had misjudged their height and their aircraft turned into a fireball. He remembered that wall over there being constructed back in 1939, the same wall he had once vomited down after experiencing the effects of too much local ale. To the left of this had been a tall thin sapling this had been where he first met that attractive WAAF called Annie. It was now a fully grown tree over sixty feet tall upon whose leaves the gentle summer breeze rustled.

Dear old Annie, he had finally married her back in 1943, hard to believe they were together all that time it was six years ago now that she had passed away. Mmm over the far side was a decayed Nissen Hut covered in ivy, Reg smiled that`s where he and Annie had really got to know each other. Now back in August 1940 Reg had taken off from here on a mission to engage a large Luftwaffe formation coming in over the Thames Estuary that back in those times happened several times in a day. But one time he had a rather unusual experience he had taken off and looked down at his air base and it seemed there were thousands of people everywhere all over it....it looked strange what were they all doing? But it was only brief glimpse through a break in the cloud and when he looked again everything was obscured. Half an hour later Reg was just about to attack a formation of Heinkel He 111`s when a Messerschmitt Me 109 cut right in front of him. A grey and yellow blur covered in black crosses that climbed away into the sun. White smoke trailed tracers zipped and threaded their way all around him and Reg gave chase and was just about to press the gun button when his headphones crackled. The words "Dad Dad" were screamed out then a long space and the words "I’m so sorry but there is no pulse." came through. Reg wondered what the hell it all meant, who was shouting at him? Whoever it was had destroyed that momentary killer instinct when you just know the target is yours. He was furious, one more enemy fighter would now get back home because of it. By the time he returned to base he just couldn`t be bothered to follow it up, but he always remembered the incident, especially the strange words as well as the date the 26th of August.

Now seventy five years later he looked around him smiling at all who passed as he gazed at the spot where 75 years before he witnessed a Hurricane stall at 1000 feet, running over to assist through the smoke and flames he had seen his best chum Eddie`s head smashed open like a melon in the crumpled cockpit. That memory brought a tear, and it rolled down Reg`s cheek. When asked if he was okay "yes fine just a tad of the old hay fever." However today was a special day for Reg amazingly fifteen years before a team of archaeologists had found his old Hurricane over in France. Lying at the bottom of a river it had been salvaged and restored to its former glory. Today it was here at the air show, Reg had eagerly followed its progress since discovery. But what he didn’t know was that the owners by using a special winch system were going to lift him up and place him back into the very cockpit of his old plane. His two sons had planned this surprise for him, and it was going to be shown on TV later that evening. The heat really was too much, and Reg dozed a little in the shade whilst his modern-day counterparts hurtled across the skies above in their jet powered steeds,

It was whilst nodding off that he had another strange experience where he felt he was floating again. Upon awaking he reached for the tray of medications, sure he didn`t need all these but his GP had been adamant that he did. Feeling better he dozed off again when he was aware of voices all around him. It was John and Derek. "Hey Dad come one we have arranged something for you, you will love it. They came to the display edge and there was Hurricane P4589 in all her glory, her engine started, coughed, and roared into life. Reg`s eyes watered yet again. As P4589 taxied and took off it was too much, the tears flowed down Reg`s cheeks, there could be no blaming hay fever now. His old Hurricane did some pretty cool aerobatics which Reg countered by saying. "Not bad but you should have seen her turn and twist when I flew her." P4589 taxied back along the airfield and stopped right in front of them. Reg looked puzzled for a second, “John” he asked his nearest son, "what’s the date today?" "Oh, hell Dad hold on I`ll check, it’s the 26th of August Dad, why? Reg thought ‘well what do you know? It’s exactly 75 years ago that I had that strange experience the puzzling words that came through the headphones, always wondered who had shouted that out. Oh well I will never know now’. Reg was then overawed, "what you mean I am actually going to sit in my old Hurricane again? Crikey wow boys what can I say?" Fifteen minutes later Reg was gently being lowered down his hands grasping the sides of the cockpit as he was seated down. ‘Mmm bit cramped I guess I`m not the sprightly young man of seventy-five years ago’ he thought. Just then he felt a little light-headed again.

"You all right there mate?" came a voice "Oh yes just guess it’s all the emotion" Reg replied as he looked at all the TV cameras. "Come on look the real part sir," said a camera crew member as a leather flying helmet was passed over to him. Reg placed it on it felt good and he felt like time hadn`t moved as the familiar cockpit smells of oil, leather and fuel seeped into his nostrils, he inhaled sharply and then felt rather light-headed again, he looked around and he seemed to be alone, the aeroplane was vibrating and clouds streaked past he looked downwards and could see the crowds at the air show far far below. ‘Bloody hell I’m flying I’m bloody flying again’ he shouted out, it was really strange Reg knew it must be a mix of emotions some type of a dream but hell it felt good imagination and memories could be wonderful things when you get old. He looked sideways enjoying the dream there was old Eddie flying alongside him just as he always did covering my arse as usual. Over to the left his comrades flew in a staggered line ready for anything as they approached the Thames Estuary. Reg looked at the controls and noticed his hands, the taught tight-skinned hands of a younger man. Just then a Messerschmitt Me 109 spoilt the peace it streaked past them all, just a blur of grey and yellow with its neatly painted black crosses. It turned round and Reg was bloomin` certain he saw the pilot smile and gesticulate by pointing upwards. “You cheeky bastard” Reg yelled “too right I’m going upwards. Upwards after you, you blighter.” The little enemy fighter then rocketed upwards through the clouds and Reg and his pals gave chase once again. ”You are not getting away now you little bastard” Reg screamed out.

The clouds parted slightly, and Reg could see the German was flying almost vertically up a single ray of sunlight, a ray that seemed to go on forever. The Messerschmitt was clearly outlined in the gunsight and Reg slid his thumb onto the firing button and pressed……..but nothing happened, at last Reg levelled out, there were all his mates too that was good, but looking around him there were thousands and thousands of aeroplanes, British, American, French and German all flying in one direction. Reg`s mouth fell open he was then dimly aware that his headphones were crackling again, Reg heard the words of thousands of pilots "Welcome Flight Lieutenant we`ve been waiting a hell of a long time for you to join us again." Back down at the air show it was clear things were not well, not good at all, John and Derek ran over and pushed their way through the crowds it was clear their father had had some sort of stroke Derek yelled out "Dad Dad".....a paramedic looked over and pursed his lips saying "I’m so sorry but there is no pulse."

13/07/2024

AMAZING FINDS FROM POLAND
A few months ago Patryk who lives in Poland contacted me about some amazing finds he had made recently. And he wasn't wrong for 'amazing' is truly what they are - Patryk, one of whose main interests is recovering small silver coins known as Jagiellonian Denars was using his XP Deus one day and stumbled across a buried assemblage of sections from a suit of armour. The sections date to the first half of the 17th century. Read all about Patryk's discovery and his associated research in the current (August) issue of Treasure Hunting magazine - available in shops or online now. Best Jules.

12/07/2024

GET ON OUT THERE LADIES AND GENTS
Looks to be some great events being held this weekend - as always thank you to the organisers of such - So as always have a fab time whether attending these, out with buddies, on club sites or traipsing around on your own. Harvest isn't too long away, rain permitting -I cant wait to see the clouds of 'Combine Dust' again as the start of our main season begins. Last weekend some marvellous history was unearthed and my PC was ever bleeping with messages about peoples finds and referrals to others who had made them - Thank You everyone as always. We have some truly wonderful features coming up in future magazine issues which is all due to you. Lets see what the next two days reveals eh? Who knows what other curious encounters you might make? Be they wildlife or whatever once when Dave and I were detecting a light aircraft just dropped out of the sky - that takes some beating LOL. Good luck and safe journeys to wherever you are heading off to and coming home from- All the very best Jules.

07/07/2024

ALLECTUS - OH WHAT MEMORIES
My good friend Dave has been out and about with his mate Richard in the fields of Lincolnshire today and made some fab finds. Amongst them were these two Galley Quinarii of Allectus and what great condition they are too. Seeing the pic they sent be brought back brilliant memories of the early 1980s where almost every Roman site I checked out had copious quantities of both Galley Quinarii and Antoninianii of this usurping Emperor. Normally their variable silver content alloys and silver-washing meant that in the soils of those times the issues of Allectus were very good survivors and I had some truly beautiful specimens. These days organo-phosphates seem to have taken their toll on Roman issues where I search and for some reason I haven't found a coin of Allectus for over a decade now. So thanks for sharing guys and bringing back some good memories of similar finds I made some 40 years ago now. Best Jules.

06/07/2024

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05/07/2024

HAVE A SUPERB WEEKEND ALL.
Weather looks a bit variable (Wellies and Waterproofs by the looks of it) but hey that's never stopped us going out and about. As always wonderful to see the amount of organised digs being held and starting to increase at this time of year as crops such as spuds begin to be harvested. Such organised events by clubs and groups really are a major lifeline for our hobby and I'd like to thank the numerous groups and clubs who support the magazine with their Admins or members sharing their finds - wonderful stuff. On that account I'd like to share a cracking find made by Arthur a member of the Wrexham Metal Detecting Club just look at this beauty - a stunning Solidus of Valentinian. Nice one Arthur and thank you to Admin Chris for regularly sharing a great selection of some of the club's other superb finds with Treasure Hunting magazine - thus allowing me to share them further. We are always delighted to hear from finders so Good Luck all - get on out there - just like that wonderful Middle Bronze Age gold torc found recently - It sure is very much still out there. As can also be seen in the fabulous contents of the latest magazine issue WOW - Best Jules.

04/07/2024

The August issue of Treasure Hunting magazine is on sale now! Packed full of news and stories from around the world of metal detecting 🤩🤩
Available in all good newsagents or click here to have your copy delivered direct to your door:

https://www.greenlightpublishing.com/treasure-hunting-august-2024-c2x41130320

01/07/2024

GLORIOUS DISH-BOWLED CELTS
Like your first hammered or Roman or in fact to be fair anything you have longed for in this wonderful hobby - finding your first Celt is also a memorable day as are the later days of finding even more of them - okay you get the jist lol - To blast away any ‘Monday Blues’ here are some of the Celts I’ve seen over the last 20 years or so - including my one just in case nobody’s seen it lol - Enjoy these dish-bowled ancient marvels - Best Jules

28/06/2024

SUN, SHOWERS OR WHATEVER
Talk about variables the weather here in the UK has as many as our glorious hobby does. One week everywhere’s flooded and it’s wellies a few days later we are moaning, looking down at the hard cracked ground and sandals (Lol sandals - anyone still wear those?) - Well once again it’s Friday and thousands of us will again be out in the fields over the next two days - Have great fun and a truly fantastic time Ladies and Gents - All the very best Jules

25/06/2024

SOMETHING SUPERB ABOUT SILIQUAE
Over the past 52 years I've been fairly lucky with these late Roman issues finding about 40 of them. This includes plough-busted, stubble fire exploded and of course the clipped examples. Talking of the clipped ones I once found a severely clipped 8mm silver disc which was all that was left of a harshly clipped issue of Honorius or Arcadius. But just on occasion a wonderful unmutilated example finds its way into my finds pouch and the day is truly made. They have the added advantage in that most issues are also struck in good silver - I also love the style of those bulbous, bubbled diadem adorned busts with their elfin noses and often over-sized eyes. For me they just sum up the late Roman Empire perfectly. Of course I'd love to find a larger Milliarense but so far I've only seen a fragment of one of those found by a mate while we were checking out a good Roman site about 30 years ago. These ones of Valens, Valentinian and the somewhat rarer Magnus Maximus are probably the better examples that I have found - Best Jules.

21/06/2024

GOOD LUCK - HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME
Over the weekend everyone - Cheers and well done to those who are holding organised digs - wishing everyone success attending such events, out and about with chums or individually checking out a site. With 3500 years of marvellous metallic history available to us well ladies and gents just get out into those fields and recover it - and above all have a brilliantly enjoyable time doing so - Best Jules.

21/06/2024

Lockdown Competitions are holding a special draw this evening in aid of the Rodney Cook Memorial Charity. Great prizes to be won and all money raised goes directly to the charity. Click here to enter:
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