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KEY (LOCKING)
Unique ID: HAMP-66BB77
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Description: A silver T-shaped lift key with a thickened handle and oval bow. The bow is decorated with a terminal knop and three part cusps at the sides. A block of square cross-section forms an elongated collar between the bow and stem with a narrower block. Each face of the upper block is decorated with five transverse incisions. Each face of the lower block is decorated with two cross in saltire (three on one face). The stem is broadly circular in cross section and has been bent to one side. It terminates in the T-shaped bit which appears to have been decorated on both faces with both transverse and longitudinally incised lines, now worn. Discussion: Manning (1985, Plate 40; refs. O23-O25) illustrates lift keys of similar form with T-shaped bits. No parallel has been found for this decorated example in precious metal.
Dimensions: Length: 59.8mm; width: 16.2mm; max. thickness: 4.4mm; weight: 6.88g. Analysis: Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of a lift key from Micheldever, Hampshire identified the white metal as a silver alloy with approximately 95% silver, 3% copper, 1% gold and a trace of lead.
As the key contains at least 10% silver and is at least 300 years old, it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
R Webley Finds Liaison Officer, Hampshire 18th August 2011
Susan La Niece Antony Simpson Department of Conservation and Scientific Research The British Museum File No. 749254 29th May 2012
Notes:
TVC Valuation 05/11/2012: £350
Class: T shaped
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Winchester Museum Service
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2011T100
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 50
Date to: Circa AD 400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 59.8 mm
Width: 16.2 mm
Thickness: 4.4 mm
Weight: 6.88 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 1st February 2011 - Wednesday 23rd February 2011
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: 2011 T100
Treasure case number: 2011T100
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Winchester (District)
To be known as: Micheldever CP
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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