Brooches are the 2nd most commonly recorded Roman object after coins. There are a variety of types, many decorated with colourful enamel, like this plate brooch. The earliest dated examples are late 1st C though they are most common in the 2nd C. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Queen Victoria was born #OTH in 1819. This bag seal was issued by Webb & Sons, English seed merchants from Wordsley, West Midlands. By the 1890's the company were appointed seedsmen to Queen Victoria & added a crown to their trademark. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

We don't just record metal finds here @ PAS & this lovely Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowhead is one of a number of flint tools recently deposited with us. It has lost the central tang but is still a striking example of its type. #FindsFriday #FlintFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Roman bracelets adapted into rings, like this example, are commonly seen in later 4th-mid-5th centuries AD with some examples from Saxon cemeteries. The number of examples recorded by the PAS suggests using one terminal end of the bracelet is common. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

King Charles I ascended the English throne #OTD in 1625. This hoard of 4 shillings dates to c.1628-1641. Many hoards including coins of Charles I were deposited in the early 1640's due to political instability during the English Civil War from 1642 to 1651. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This lovely Roman button & loop fastener is Wild's Class II with similar in the Stanwick, Traprain Law & Middlebie hoards. They range from the 1st-2nd century AD & are thought to be a British Iron-Age tradition which survived into the 2nd century. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This mount is one of a set from a processional cross. Each mount depicted an emblem of an evangelist, Eagle of St John, Ox of St Luke, lion of St Mark, & angel of St Matthew. They were produced in Limoges, Central France, in the 12th/13th centuries. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman bracelet with punched ring-and-dot decoration is complete making it a remarkable survival. The majority of Roman bracelets recorded with the PAS are fragmentary. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Happy birthday to Constantine I who was born #OTD in AD 272 and who's coins could single-handedly keep the PAS in business. This nummus, minted in London, with a reverse type depicting the god Sol, the personification of the Sun, is a commonly recorded type. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

King Edward VI of England was crowned #OTD in 1547 following the death of his father Henry VIII. This shilling of Edward VI was issued in 1549 with a legend reading ‘The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life’ followed by the date 1549 in numerals MDXLIX. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Love is a mystery and so is this recently recorded object; a possible love token or pendant in the shape of a heart complete with piercing arrow. We're not sure what it would originally have been part of but stylistically it appears medieval. #FindsFriday #Valentines finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a Roman slide bolt lock. These formed part of a tumbler lock where the key teeth would slide into the bolt cut-outs & release the lock from underneath. As most lock fragments are copper-alloy it's likely they formed small locks for boxes & cupboards. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This head from a Corpus figure of Christ was likely attached to a cross & produced in the Limoges area in Central France. Around 1100 Limoges crosses & fragments made c.1150 & 1350 now survive representing c.1/10th those originally made (Campbell 2025: 35) #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Headstud brooches, like this, are one of the most common, best-known & longest-lived types from Roman Britain. They're a native British type, probably manufactured by groups of travelling craftsfolk, & are most frequently found in the north of England. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

The title Augustus was given to Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate #OTD in 27BC making him the first Roman Emperor. This denarius of Augustus issued in 19-18 BC shows two laurel branches, the traditional symbols of victory. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Iron Age/Roman bovine mount is cast as bull’s head. It’s a Type 8b which is the most common of these vessel fittings, totalling c.40% of all known. They've a wide date range as we lack contextual evidence for them and cluster in the midlands and north. finds.org.uk/database/art... #FindsFriday

Next week is the 18th anniversary of the discovery of the Vale of York Hoard. It was acquired by the Yorkshire Museum where it is currently on display as part of the Viking North exhibition. Cake courtesy of Amy Downes, the recording FLO. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This beautiful ring is inscribed with the names the three Magi, Jasper, Melchior & Balthazar. These names are often found on medieval jewellery & were considered to convey protective or magical qualities against sickness, particularly fever & epilepsy. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This spoon terminal depicts Mary & baby Jesus. It's from a set of Apostle Spoons which would include all twelve Apostles, & Jesus or Mary. They were commonly given as Christening gifts & made from silver, with cheaper pewter or copper examples also known. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Absolutely over the moon that the York MeRit Project was picked as runner up in the award for Engagement and Collaboration by the Society of Museum Archaeology. I'm super proud of this one and all the people who made it happen. socmusarch.org.uk/conference/

The is one half of a Roman cosmetic set. It is a mortar which would have paired with a pestle & used for grinding small quantities of powders for cosmetic or medicinal use. They are thought to be a British phenomenon with origin in the pre-Roman Iron Age. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a somewhat squashed Roman penannular brooch. This distribution of this type of brooch focuses on Roman military sites & by towns. The use of humped pins is concentrated in the north of Britain. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Iron Age/Roman enamelled stud may once have decorated the hilt of a sword. Red glass, coral & stone features in a range of weapons as well as chariot fittings, pendants & brooches. Chequerboard enamel is also seen on Roman button & loop fasteners. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a shilling of William III. These are often found worn smooth & bent into an S-shape & interpreted as love tokens but their significance is not understood, Traditional 'love tokens' were inscribed with a name, but most of these coins are uninscribed. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

These are often mistaken for Early-Medieval pins but they are medieval strap ends. Only one published example is known from a 14th-15th-century context in Hartlepool. Some feature a terminal cross as on 13th-14th-century strap-ends. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This lovely gold coin is an Ecu d'or au Soleil du Dauphine of Francis I of France dating to c.AD 1515 - 1528. The reverse depicts the quartered field of France-Dauphiné, under a sun. It was minted in Crémieu, southeastern France. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

An excellent and detailed thread from @trixranderson.bsky.social on the discovery of a wonderful assemblage which shows what can be achieved when detectorists and archaeologists work together.

This 13th century seal matrix depicts a bird surrounded by a Latin legend which reads [FRA]NGE LEGGE TE[GE] and translates to ‘Break, read, conceal’. Most medieval matrices were made of metal, but ivory, like this example, jet, and soapstone are also known. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This assemblage of Early-Medieval material was found by a metal detectorist. Realising the significance of the find, they stopped & followed our Emergency Excavation Protocol allowing the find to be professionally excavated, preserving its important context. #FindFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This amazing object is a Bronze Age palstave axehead c.1500-1250 BC. The axe would be hafted to a forked wooden handle held in place by high flanges & deep stop ridge. It is decorated with a trident-like shield design. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This silver coin is a groat of Queen Mary dating to AD 1553 - 1554. These are often mistaken for Queen Elizabeth coins as they are often very worn. Tell-tale signs include the reverse legend and style of lettering. finds.org.uk/database/art...

This beautiful object is a Bronze Age barbed & tanged arrowhead, c.2300 - 1700 BC. Arrowheads often represent the pinnacle of flint working, requiring extensive detailed working to create the necessary shape. These Bronze Age examples are some of the finest. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Palaeolithic handaxe would be unusual in Yorkshire but is normal for Norfolk where it was found. The area has a rich flint industry with a variety of tool and flake types and sites ranging from c.900,000-500,000 years ago. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Terret rings were rein guides on chariots or carts in late Iron Age/early Roman period. They were set in a line along the yoke in groups of 5. Examples are known from 3rd or 2nd century BC East Yorkshire chariot burials as well as the later 1st century AD. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a silver (possibly silver plated) contemporary copy of a Roman denarius of Trajan (AD 98-117) dating to c. AD 98. The non traditional portrait and blundered legends show this to be a contemporary copy rather than an official issue. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Early-Medieval strap end is decorated with moulded zoomorphic designs featuring stylized animal heads. This design is seen on a selection of metalwork of Scandinavian & Anglo-Scandinavian origins, including strap-end mounts from Borre, Vestfold, Norway. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

The boar was a symbol of Richard III who died #OTD in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth. Badges like this one from Stillingfleet, North Yorkshire, were worn by his household & followers. It was declared Treasure & acquired by the Yorkshire Museum #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a silver miliarensis of Constantine II, c.AD 337-340. The reverse legend means "Joy of the Roman People". It was intended to foster a sense of unity and optimism, especially during times of stability or celebration. #FindFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Iron Age strap fitting, or toggle has bright red enamel set within intricate triskele-swirled motifs. These objects are becoming increasingly common finds with greater variations in style & decoration apparent through recording with PAS. FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This gold halfpound of Elizabeth I dates to AD 1594-96. A small cross is scratched into the surface of the coin, behind the bust. The reason for this intentional treatment is not fully understood but was perhaps related to religious tensions of the time. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

These partifacts can cause confusion & be mistaken for dress hooks. They're pins from distinctive, decorative buckles known as ‘disc-on-pin’. The pointed end was functional, but the disc would be hidden behind the strap, unless held back on themselves. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This medieval harness pendant is decorated with a lion standing, forepaws raised, hind legs apart, & forked tail. They date to 12th-14th century. Many have common motifs like lions, crowns, & fleur-de-lis. Some featured mythical creatures. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This lovely Roman bow & fantail brooch dates from the late 1st - early 2nd century. It's decorated with colourful enamel & the metal, now green, would originally have been shiny & brassy, almost gold in colour. These are a derivative of the Trumpet Brooch. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman nummus of Constantine I was issued in AD 320. The reverse depicts two captives seated under trophy and proclaims "courage of the army" #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a copper-alloy apron fitting. Images on gravestones show the apron was worn by legionary and auxiliary foot soldiers. It formed part of the equipment of Roman soldiers from the mid-1st century BC, falling out of favour in the early 2nd century AD. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman denarius of Septimius Severus shows the emperor in military attire on horseback. It proclaims 'the most auspicious return of the emperor' after having established peace in the east by the destruction of Pescennius Niger. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This silver panel from a medieval reliquary pendant depicts the ‘Agnus Dei’ (Lamb of God). It is currently on display @yorkshiremueum as part of the Medieval Ritual Landscape Project #FindsFriday #MeRit #MedievalRitual #Religion finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman silver denarius of Nerva bears the imagery of clasped hands holding a legionary eagle with an inscription which translates to "Unity of the Army". This refers to the harmony and cooperation within the military during Nerva's reign. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Three ribbed Yorkshire type axes, like this one, are a well-known part of the Ewart Park metalwork assemblage of the British Late Bronze Age, c.1000 - 800 BC. In Yorkshire, many have been found as single finds as well as in hoards. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

#OTD 13 years ago, myself and @YMT_Adam excavated the Bedale Hoard following its initial discovery by two metal detectorists. The hoard was reported as #Treasure and acquired by the Yorkshire Museum. finds.org.uk/database/art...