Record ID: BH-C8D3E7 - EARLY MEDIEVAL pin

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BH-C8D3E7: Early-medieval disc-headed pin (incomplete)

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Unique ID: BH-C8D3E7

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

An incomplete head from an Early-medieval disc-headed pin. The style of the decoration suggests a late eighth or ninth century date. Similar examples on the PAS database include NLM-028751, SUR-CFE0C7 and SWYOR-3DEE70. Over two thirds of the disc survive. The heavily gilt upper surface is decorated with four chip-carved panels separated by a central cross. It would appear that there are two separate designs within the panels, with each panel being the same as that which lies diagonally opposite. One pair of panels seems to show a serpent which is coiled into a ring. The head is near the outer edge of the panel and has a mouth which is wide open, the upper jaw overlying the body. The tail would appear to end within the central space below the head. The nature of the other panel type is less clear and the double ring with winged cross may or may not be anthropomorphic in nature. The cross has a circular central section and is decorated a double row of small punched dots. Attached to the centre is a rounded boss element and there are smaller bosses at the three surviving ends of the cross. On the reverse of the lowermost boss, where the head is slightly pointed, is part of the attachment for the pin shaft. The artefact measures 31.6mm long, 37.8mm wide and 5.9mm thick. The weight is 5.5g.

Class: Disc-headed

Subsequent actions

Current location of find: With finder

Chronology

Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 750
Date to: Circa AD 900

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 31.6 mm
Width: 37.8 mm
Thickness: 5.9 mm
Weight: 5.5 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 10th August 2008

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Other reference: Ver 08/97 - 5

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Gilded

Spatial metadata

Region: Eastern (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Hertfordshire (County)
District: Hertsmere (District)
To be known as: Aldenham

Spatial coordinates

Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
Current location: With finder

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: BH
Created: 15 years ago
Updated: 13 years ago

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