PIN

Discussion: Pins with polyhedral heads are well-known from excavated Middle Anglo-Saxon sites like Flixborough (Evans and Loveluck 2009, esp. p. 34) and Hamwic (Southampton), where they typically derive from eighth- to ninth-century contexts (Hinton 1996, pp. 14-37, esp. p. 21-24). Numerous examples are now recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. Most examples are decorated with ring-and-dot motifs, but some feature crosses, fleurs-de-lis and quatrefoils.

Glass inlays, as may have adorned the Heydon Parish pin, are more unusual on pinheads, but have been found on another silver polyhedral pin from Northwest Herefordshire (PAS database HESH-EA0514) and a copper-alloy globular example from Blaxhall, Suffolk (PAS database SF4125). Small glass settings do, however, feature on other eighth- to ninth-century metal objects like strap-ends (e.g. PAS database LVPL-FE8590) and weapon fittings (e.g. PAS database SUSS-589730) - typically forming the eyes of animals.

Date: Eighth to ninth centuries

As this object is made of more than 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old, it constitutes potential Treasure under the Treasure Act 1996.

References:

Evans, D. H. and Loveluck, C., 2009. Life and Economy at Early Medieval Flixborough, c. AD600-1000: The Artefact Evidence. Oxford

Hinton, D. A., 1996. The Gold, Silver and Other Non-Ferrous Alloy Objects from Hamwic, and the Non-Ferrous Metalworking Evidence. Stroud