Rights Holder: Surrey County Council
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PIN
Unique ID: SUR-D1EBD9
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A complete early Post-Medieval (circa 16th century) decorated silver-gilt pin. The pinhead is spherical with a circumferential rib separating the upper and lower hemispheres. Each hemisphere is decorated with three filigree circles, each containing a pellet soldered onto a filigree annulet. Additional small filigree-mounted pellets are placed between each pair of these circles. Another larger pellet is placed at the apex of the pin head.
The shaft of the pin, also silver, projects from the centre of the lower hemisphere of the pin head and is approximately 62mm in total length. The shank is bent at a 50º angle around 25mm from the head.
Length: 39.7mm; Diameter (of head) 11.1mm (at the head); Weight: 5.4g.
Notes:
Dress pins with spherical heads decorated with filigree are frequently reported through the Treasure Act and most are dated to the 16th century, e.g. SUR-C52692 (2019T436), SUR-B5D5B7 (2012T817), GLO-23E0F3 (2018T711), HAMP-72C214 (2018T807) and DEV-605972 (2017T873). This basic design of larger filigree circles alternating with smaller circles and pellets represents a relatively common type; for a complete example see KENT-CEBD6B (2018T2).
Conclusion: The object contains more than 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old at the time of finding. Consequently, it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2020T656
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 39.7 mm
Width: 41.7 mm
Thickness: 11.1 mm
Weight: 5.4 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 14th August 2020
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2020T656
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Somerset (County)
District: Mendip (District)
Parish or ward: West Bradley (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: ST5735
Four figure Latitude: 51.11266925
Four figure longitude: -2.61565262
1:25K map: ST5735
1:10K map: ST53NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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