Historic finds are declared to be treasure

This gold Roman openwork link was unearthed in Walsingham and may have been part of a necklace. Archant

Roman coins, a golden coin brooch dating from the 13th century, and an 1,100-year-old ring are among the historical finds to have been declared treasure by Norfolk’s coroner.

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These post-medieval dress fasteners were found in Foulsham.

The discoveries were made by metal detecting enthusiasts across Norfolk, and also include a post-medieval gold dress fastener and a silver gilt pinhead. Many have attracted interest from Norwich Castle Museum, which is looking at the possibility of buying them.

Norfolk’s senior coroner declared the finds to be treasure at hearings held in Norwich, meaning that they are more than 300 years old and contain at least 10pc precious metal.

The list of finds included a medieval silver brooch, fashioned from a French coin, found in Binham by a metal detectorist on September 30, 2011.

A report by Adrian Marsden, a coin specialist for Norfolk County Council’s historic environment service, said the item was similar to a silver gros tournois from the time of Louis IX, between 1226 and 1270.

“Coin brooches were at the height of popularity in the late 13th century, but due to a lack of English coins of a suitable size, foreign coins were usually the ones so adapted.”

A hoard of six Roman copper-alloy coins was discovered in Wighton, near Wells, in May, three years after a similar cache was found.

Other discoveries included a rectangular post-medieval dress fastener, found in a field in Foulsham on August 6, 2012; and a Roman gold openwork link, part of a clasp from a necklace, discovered in Walsingham on May 30 this year.

A finger ring similar to 10th-century designs unearthed near Cromer was found to have a high gold content of between 81pc and 84pc, and silver content of between 14pc and 16pc.

A late Anglo-Saxon brooch decorated with animal heads of twisted wire, was found in March this year in Attleborough, a month before a silver mount dating from the time of the ninth century Carolingian dynasty, with ornate decoration, was found in Barnham Broom.

The final item was an early medieval decorated silver gilt pinhead, attached to a corrodediron rivet, found on April 20 in Roudham.