England Story's 

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I write a monthly column for my clubs newsletter these are the England Stories from our annual trips.,

England trip March 05            

A little background before the story; Chris runs a detecting holiday, or, if you prefer, a boot camp in Colchester, England. He has exclusive permission from a number of farmers to hunt their never detected land which totals about 9,000 acres and is broken up into about a hundred fields. They have averaged 20 gold coins found per year, from earliest Celtic (50 BC) to present. To give you some feeling of the vastness of the fields, some are the size of Riis park near the Brickyard Mall, where we use to have our monthly meetings, some even larger.

On with the story. First of all compared to last years trip to Puerto Vallarta (4 stooges go to Mexico) this trip was almost screw-up free. Friday March 11^th 3 pm we all start to arrive at the airport. 3 hours until take off no- problems. The flight was ok, but crowded. Arrived at Heathrow airport, London 6:30 am Saturday. It was 36 degrees and everyone had to break out heavy coats.

Bus was to meet us at pick up area 9:30 am. No bus.

10:30 cold and getting cranky Bus arrives.

Now most of us had been up all night so some were a bit feisty. The ride to Colchester was 2 hours. We arrived at the “non-smoking house” first, Lloyd & Leona T, Bob M, and Keith L pulled out their bags and Howie & Lynn R, Maryann S and myself were taken to the “smoking house.” Unknown to us until now the houses are 6 miles apart. At the “smoking house” (Chris’s) we start to unpack. Now Chris is a real character, a wonderful person and a real detectorist. His belief is that if you’re going to spend 1,800 $ dollars for a detecting trip, one should have their coil over dirt 8 to 10 hours a day if not more. That is what his trip is geared toward. And if you have ever been on a trip with me you know that is what I like. After an hour and a half of unpacking and chatting, Chris was starting to get antsy and said we were a bunch of “Nancy’s.” Most groups are on the fields 30 minutes after arriving. We spent about 3 hours detecting. We found lots of bits of lead. Two of us found greenies, which were the common coin of Britan from 1600 to present, they are made of copper and turn green in the ground. We all returned to the “non- smoking” house for our only dinner together. Chris ordered fish and chips from a local chipper and told treasure tales. Lots of fun. Everyone was beat from the flight so we all decided to hit the bed early. When we arrived back at the “smoking house” Chris showed us his coins and other artifacts found while detecting, it was quite amazing too see 3 thousand years of history in that small case. He had coins from the Celtics, Saxons, Romans, Britain's, and other foreign coins, some gold, lots of silver. Artifacts from 1200 BC to present. I definitely dreamt of treasure that night. We as a group decided during dinner that we would try the farm where a lot of great finds were made this year. There was a large barn where we could go to rest if needed, a washroom for the ladies and a place to hide if it rained. We all spread out and my first good signal was a 1839 4 pence silver coin, Maryann was nearby and as I was excited that I had found a keeper I went over to show her. As it turns out she already had a greenie. We all met at the barn at 1 pm for lunch. Chris brought pasties and a hot cup of soup. At lunch everyone was handing things to Chris asking “is this anything?”, “or what is that?” When asked Chris has two stock answers “it’s crap, chuck it !” and he throws it in a hedge row or “oh that’s a nice little (description of item), that is.” I have to say I was very impressed with Chris’s ability to identify items. The rest of the day was spent digging and comparing finds with whoever was closest. I think there were 2 silvers found the first day. Lynn had a nice 1816 6 pence coin and my 1839 4 pence. we also found a few greenies (which on the first day were exciting.)

On Monday we went to the church site and it was a bit chilly and there was a good stiff wind, a few more silvers were found. Lloyd had a good morning finding a silver coin and about 8 greenies. I walked all over this field and wasn’t finding much or wasn’t walking over much I should say when I found the top of a gold ring, no markings on it. The museum said it is from the 17^th century. I also found a lead token issued by the church to poor people probably 15th century.

On Tuesday Keith wanted to try as he said “a field where no one had been.” So off we went to a 900 acre farm that had very little detecting done on it. This field was huge! We all fanned out and Lloyd got the first coin a large greenie the size of a U.S. half, an hour later Keith got a 1817 4 pence. I was detecting next to bob he said he was heading to the trees to use the facilities and that if he started running not to worry, on a b-line to the trees he got a nice 1643 hammered silver coin. Maryann walked out to the far end of the field and dug up a nice 1^st century AD roman bronze coin. I found a few greenies, a nice 17^th or 18^th century bronze button and a silver pin with hallmarks from 1890.

1st century Bronze roman

On Wednesday we went back to the Barn site and had Chris drop us on the far side of the property about a mile from the barn. A few more greenies surfaced lots of bits of metal of all ages. We all worked our way down the field to the river, found a place to cross and started up the field on the other side. Everyone went to the right towards the barn, I went left to the last field, there was a huge tree I thought I would check under. Three feet out I pulled up a nice Roman silver coin from Constantine the great 335 AD.

Called over the radio to let the others know I had a Roman, Bob and Keith joined me. We hunted that field for another hour, we got a few greenies and I found a foot off a roman bronze pot. Lunch was very welcome as I was starving. Leona didn’t feel well and decided to return to the house with Chris. At the beginning of the year Chris planted 6 gold coins in a 200 acre field, only three had been found. So after lunch Keith and Lloyd decided to give the planted field a try. But alas no gold!

On Thursday Chris took us to a site 20 minutes away where two hordes were found. The field was ruff plowed and when I say ruff it was hard to swing and walk without hitting huge dirt clods or falling into the furrows. It took about two hours for us to finally give up. Had lunch at McDonalds right next to the field and opted to go back to the church site. Chris dropped off most of us at the church, then dropped Bob and Maryann at the far end of the field, as Maryann had a feeling. I wondered down toward them not finding a lot and met up with bob at the corner where Chris was to pick us up. We crossed the street to the next field as we only had an hour left to detect. I was digging a target looked up and saw that bob had just recovered a target as well, I finished my recovery, another bit of lead. Now I stand up and bob is walking toward me with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, holds out his hand and says “ Is this what I think it is” I dropped my detector which ripped the earphones off my head. “Bob you got one AWESOME! A Gold Celtic full Stator from the Addedomaros tribe 45- 30 BC

Hi fives and congrats and two or three can I see that again. I put it on the ground to see what my Whites MXT said, a rock solid 42 reading at up to 5 inches. “Now that my detector knows what I’m looking for I should have no problem!” I said. Five minutes later Chris shows up to pick us up, Bob drops the coin in his hand and says “ I think I got something” Lots of laughs, What a great ending to the day. Congrats Bob!

Friday of course we all want to go back to the church site. Leona still not felling well opts for shopping and sightseeing. Chris dropped off Howie, Lynn and Lloyd at he church, Bob, Keith, Maryann and myself are dropped off at the other end. We all worked the area where bob got his gold, I found a 1853 3 pence silver coin, but not much else. Bob and I went back to the field where Chris dropped us and Keith and Maryann went off toward another field by the landowners house. Working our way down the field we get a few targets, about ¾ down field I get a 42 reading on my MXT, I slowly dig out a shovel full of dirt, recheck the hole no target, Breaking open the clump of dirt is a sight I will remember for the rest of my life, A golden horse! Celtic full Stator same type as Bob’s. I had to sit there for a minute thinking that the last person to hold this coin was over 2,000 years ago! After that I think I did the gold dance, Bob came over “what’d you get?” By the smile on my face I think he knew.

 We worked the area for a while then it was time to head back to the church for lunch. I was standing by the church talking to bob when Keith walked up and asked “did you guys get anything? I got an 1860 greenie.” I said “ I think I’ve got you beat for oldest coin today” and stuck out my hand to show him my Celtic. His reply was “ I don’t think so!” And holds out his hand. In both our hands were Celtic Gold coins! We high fived, hugged and Keith and I danced right there in the field! When Chris arrived and I dropped it in his hand “you’ve done it Ron! Celtic Gold! That’s what you’re here for! The big one ay! Then Chris said to Keith “what have you got then? Jesus! another!”

 After a long lunch, Howie and Lynn were going to town, the rest of us decided to try the axe horde field. As Chris had been talking about it all week. We had about 3 hours left. Chris was picking us up at five for dinner, and we had to pack. We worked an old home site for a few minutes then I crossed the street and started to work my way to where the axe horde was found. I got all the was across the field and was working my way along the hedgerow when I got another 42 reading, “Is it possible”? I thought. Turning over a shovel full of dirt it was right on top My second Celtic gold Stator! In even nicer condition then the first.

 I don’t remember if I dug anything else on the way back across the field, I not even sure my feet were on the ground. When Chris picked us up at five all he could say was “YOU GREEDY BASTARD!”

All in all it was an incredible experience. Spending a week in the field with friends searching for and some times finding the big one!

England trip Sept 05  

This was our second trip there this year and I was hoping that it would be as prosperous as the first.

Lloyd T, Keith L, Bob M from MHRS, Tim R and Bob C from the I & I club and myself left Chicago on Oct 3^rd. We arrived on the 4^th at 8 a.m. took a shuttle bus to the rental car agency. This was to be our first big hurtle. We were suppose to pick up a 15 seat minibus, but upon arriving I was told that I couldn’t drive a 15 seater without a European Union license. The largest vehicle available was a 9 seat mini-van and it was 200 pounds more for the 2 week rental. After 30 minutes of discussion and me whining a lot they agreed to honor the price quoted.

After loading the bags we were off on the 2 hour ride to Colchester. Having not driven in Europe for at least 10 years I think I did pretty well. I had Keith as navigator and by the time we reached Colchester he had resigned the position and decided to ride in the back seat. I was told I drive a little too fast! We drove straight to one of the farms, unpacked detectors, and hit the fields for about 3 hours. Nothing exceptional was found the first afternoon. A few greenies, lead seals, and buttons.

Arriving at the house Chris rented for us we got the tour. The house is called the Tallow factory, very nice, 5 bedrooms, sitting room, formal dining room which seats 12, and a fireplace. The entire village was built in the 1400’s by clothiers who settled the area. There is a huge church across the street from our house. Once unpacked Chris brought Fish and chips from a local chipper.

The premise of the help yourself house is just that, you save 200 to 300 dollars per week, and for that you all pitch in with cleaning and helping around the house. I was the driver, cook, and group coordinator.

Back to the hunting. The first full day, Wednesday we decided to try the Celtic hoard field as it had been plowed the day before we arrived. 7 gold coins had been previously been found on this 200 acre field. Everyone started to spread out from the corner, and within five minutes of starting Tim calls me over and drops a gold coin into my hand! A very nice Celtic full stator from the Addedomaros tribe 45 to 30 B.C.

 To think Tim’s first trip to England, and his first coin is a Celtic Gold!!!! Congratulations Tim!!! Outstanding!!!! At lunch just about everyone had something so show for the first morning. After lunch and a lot of hi-fives, I decided to grid a section about 200 feet from where Tim got his gold. After about 2 hours I had a few greenies, lead tokens, and lots of buttons. I got an iffy coin/lead signal, dug out a shovel full of dirt, checked the hole no target, broke up the dirt and then I saw it, my own Celtic Gold, again a full stator but this time it was a different tribe. The Wadden Chase tribe 54 to 45 B.C. It was a bit larger and had more of a gold color then the previous Addedomaros stators. A silver or two were found along with the usual stuff.

As usual when someone finds gold on the first day, the next few days were kind of lean, Lloyd got a beautiful hammered silver Groat ,12 pence. It is about the size of a silver half, only thinner. Bob also got a nice hammered silver Groat, both were from the 1400’s. It wasn’t until Sunday that we struck more gold. The group wanted to try a field that had been hunted less, so we hit a 600 acre farm as they were harvesting potatoes, All were finding the usual stuff. I decided to try a field across the road that had never produced anything. As Chris says “that field sucks, don’t know why you would want to go there.” I walked on to this 40 acre field and decided to try a wide pattern from the north end out to the center. After 3 or four passes I hadn’t found much, I got a solid signal that read 35 on my MXT. I figured it was a lead token or bale seal, take out first shovel full, signals still there, second scoop, still there, third scoop, ah! It’s out of the hole. move the dirt around and can’t see the target. So I get down on my hands and knees to sift thru the dirt, grab a hand full, start to sift and out drops a Celtic gold. This time it turns out to be Snettisham tribe, 54 to 45 B.C.

 Excited and all alone I decide to grid the area incase there were more. I did a grid three swings wide and 50 yards long, along the plow line in both directions. Finding nothing else I started to wander, about 40 feet away I got another good signal and turned up a Elizabeth the 1^st hammered silver from the 1600’s. grid that area, nothing. Wander 100 feet get another solid coin signal and dig up a 1817 silver bullhead 6 pence. As it’s time for lunch I headed back across the street to show all my new found treasures. Everyone decided to hit that field after lunch. We pulled at least 6 more silvers and a dozen or so greenies off that sucking field. LOL

Monday was Tim, Lloyd and Bob C’s last day. We tried another just plowed field. Lloyd found another nice large hammered silver, Tim got a couple small hammered silvers. Not remembering all there nice finds I’m sure they will show them at a future meeting.

Week 2 had Reid G and a friend Tom from Philly join Keith, bob, and myself. Wednesday Reid got a nice hammered silver penny 1400’s. Thursday was very quiet as it was rainy most of the day. Friday we went back to the potato farm, Bob and I crossed the road again. I started to grid along the road and after an hour or so I got a nice hammered silver. 20 minutes later bob walked over to me with this big smile, and said “put out your hand and close your eyes.” I feel this very heavy object hit my hand, Wow it feels like a ring! And it’s a big one ! Upon opening my eyes it is a huge wedding band and I looks like very high karat gold. Looking inside it has no markings and looks hand made and very old! This field was supposed to have a roman fort nearby and I think it is roman! The ring weighs 14.8 grams. It is off to the museum to test the gold to find out the age. Congrats Bob!!!

Saturday back to the hoard field. I managed to get a very nice Charles the 1^st hammered silver Groat 1640’s. a few more silvers came to light, more lead tokens and cloth bale seals including a couple Russian lead seals from the late 17 early 1800’s. Sunday we went to the pig farm and if you have ever been within a mile of a pig farm, you know that’s too close! Avoiding the barn I started patterns where Chris had said a roman road had cut across the farm. I immediately started finding greenies, and picked up 2 more hammered silver coins and a hammered trade farthing from the 1660’s. Keith had quite a bit of luck on this farm, in the last 2 days he picked up 6 pieces of silver some Hammered and some milled.

Monday last full day of hunting we started on the pig farm. My best find of the morning was a beehive thimble from the 1100’s. After lunch I wanted to go back to a farm where they have found Saxon silver in the past. Wasn’t finding much until almost 4:00 when I got a Roman silver in beautiful shape. Turned out to be a contemporary forgery. Probably made 72 to 75 A.D.

We celebrated at the pub on the last night, as we did almost every night! And everyone said what a great trip it had been. We all made some very nice finds, had a great time, and learned a lot about the history of the British Isles.

All in all the trip was amazing, and almost everyone said they would be back for yet another chance to find more amazing artifacts, coins, and share in the friendship and competition of detecting in the oldest recorded town in Britain!

April 06 Trip           

Reid was the man who walked over the most, A 1865  Gold 1/2 Sovern, a couple hammered silver, 3 or 4 milled silver, some nice hammered tokens, and the nicest intact 17^th century Georgian fob seal ever found at Chris‘s. Giving credit where due Reid is a very hard hunter and was out there 100% of the time. As for me I got 2 milled silver both 1930’s, A few hammered tokens, Silver cufflink from 1740’s, gold pin date unknown, and a few nasty roman’s.