Wirral's Hidden History Revealed
Silver Denarius
Finds from Wirral – Silver Denarius Another Roman coin in good condition. This is a silver denarius from the reign of Septimis Severus who reigned from AD 193-211. As with the previous coin there is sufficient detail to date to a year which in this case is AD 198. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1168197
Galerius Roman Coin
Finds from the Wirral – Galerius Roman Coin We have at time of writing 40 items verified at PAS as from the Roman period AD 43-410. These include coins, brooches, mounts, weights and ceramics. Some are pictured below. This is a very well preserved Roman Coin. It dates from from the reign of Galerius who reigned from AD 293-311. There is sufficient…
Spindle Whorl
Finds of Wirral Spindle Whorl We have quite a few spindle whorls in our collection from the very plain and simple to some that are decorated but we have not recovered anything like this one before. It is highly decorated with hearts, flowers and the letter W. It has been dated to AD1200-1500. Spindle whorls were used for spinning wool or thread….
Roman Coins
Finds of Wirral Roman Coins We have previously recovered a few Roman coins from our investigation sites but here are a few more recent ones . Only the left hand one is in good condition and able to be identified and closely dated. Some of our previous Roman age coins are in very good condition and it is a source of amusement…
Gaming Pieces
Finds from Wirral Gaming Pieces Three similar items that have recently been assessed by the Portable Antiquities Scheme have been classed as Early Medieval Gaming Pieces dating from AD750-AD1000. Similar pieces were recovered from the Viking winter camp of AD872-873 at Torksey on the River Trent. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1139186
Worked Flint Flake
Finds from the Wirral – Worked Flint Flake This is a flint flake fragment found when field walking. It has been dated from 4000BC – 2000BC. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1158350
Worked Flint Core
Finds from the Wirral – Worked Flint Core This is a worked flint core dating to 4000-2200 BC. You can see the ripples of it being worked. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1204061
Toy
Finds from Wirral Toy An unusual and rather charming little find is this ceramic marble. Made out of fired pipe clay and decorated we have now found two of these little toys. They are dated from around AD1750-1900. We have recently recovered two of these and it is nice to think of a child playing with them in the past. The links…
Medieval Mount
Finds From Wirral Medieval Mount This copper alloy decorated mount has us scratching our heads and speculating that the kneeling figure on the left was John the Baptist just before execution and the figure on the right swinging a blade. Having researched the medieval depictions of John the Baptist it is most common to just depict his head. An unusual item it…
Ceramics
Finds of Wirral Ceramics A couple of recent ceramic finds have been examined by PAS. The piece on the left is part of a curved roof tile dated AD1200-1700 while the piece on the right is part of a vessel with the same date range. From the other side you can clearly see on the piece from the vessel (right) a completely…
Roman Mount
Finds From Wirral Roman Mount This is a Roman mount that has been dated to the late Roman to Early Medieval period. (AD350-450). Such mounts were used decoratively and also to stiffen belts. This example still has the rivets in.
Post Medieval Coin
Finds From Wirral Post Medieval Coin Front and rear views of an Elizabeth I silver sixpence from the London Mint. This is a very simple one to date as the reverse is very well preserved so you can clearly see it dates from AD 1569. The face has survived less well but the left facing Queen can just be seen with the…
Bridle Bit
Finds From Wirral Bridle Bit An interesting little recent find is this small piece of Bridle Bit dated by the experts to AD 1000 to AD1100. It is broken but enough remains that the Portable Antiquities Scheme have been able to date it and also describe it as Anglo Scandinavian. PAS Report https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1144406
Copper Coin
Finds From Wirral 8 Maravedi Copper Alloy Coin Spanish Coin from 1841 wouldn’t be high on the list of expected finds from Wirral but it just goes to show that you never know what will turn up. This is an 8 Maravedi Copper Alloy Coin of Queen Isabella II of Spain. interested in finding out more about what we do then…
Trade Token
Finds From Wirral Trade Token Trade tokens are coin like objects that were issued by private companies. There was a coin shortage in the late 18th century as the Royal Mint reduced coin production so tokens like these became almost currency. They were redeemable at company offices or stores. This one is a half penny token which features John of Gaunt…