Record ID: OXON-B18F30
Object type: SCRAPER (TOOL)
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A modern (c. AD 1800-2010) flint scraper made on an ancient flake of uncertain prehistoric date. The scraper is broadly circular in plan with part of the platform and the buld retained. There is some re-cortication, through which the modern retouching is cut. The modern retouching is at the proximal tip and around the distal edge. It is possible that a farm worker (for example) may have created and used this scraper in Victorian (or even more modern) times. The Victorians also used to practice flint knapping; this example is of the incorrect shape to be a gun flint so was probably for…
Created on: Thursday 3rd May 2018
Last updated: Friday 25th May 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-D3A034
Object type: CHAIN
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy link pin for a chain probably of modern (post-industrialisation) date. The link pin is cylinder shaped with two widened head terminals at either end, one of which is now mishapen. The barrel of the link pin is smooth but there are two indentations visible possibly as a result of use. The link pin is too big for a bicycle chain; it could be from a motorbike, chainsaw or similar. Recorded for reference and comparison.
Created on: Tuesday 29th May 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 29th May 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-731268
Object type: BUTTON
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy button of early modern date. The button bears the words 'RAILWAY POLICE' above and below the letter 'E & G'. This button is probably from the uniform of a member of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Police, which were operational in 1847 until they were absorbed by the North British Railway in 1865. Why this button should be so far from home is unknown. The reverse of the button bears the slogan 'EXTRA SUPERFINE : BEST QUALITY'. There is no indication of the name or address of the manufacturer, which is often seen on later 19th century buttons. The fasten…
Created on: Friday 4th October 2019
Last updated: Friday 4th October 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-600AC6
Object type: MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
Broad period: MODERN
County: Buckinghamshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Key mechanism from a musical instrument, either woodwind or brass.
Created on: Thursday 8th January 2009
Last updated: Thursday 30th January 2014
No spatial data available.

Record ID: BERK-A8C7A5
Object type: BUCKLE
Broad period: MODERN
County: West Berkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast copper alloy annular buckle, decorated with a zig-zag and annulet pattern around its entire circumference on both faces. What appear to be casting lines are also visible beneath this zig-zag decoration. There is no recess nor indeed any indication of a pin that would have fitted to the buckle, although some annular buckles consisted of just a ring and were functional as such, and this may be an example of such. The buckle is very well made and this suggests a late date, possibly as late as the 19th century. Although the object may well be a buckle, its true purpose is unknown.
Created on: Tuesday 15th February 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 15th February 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-8C8A66
Object type: MEDAL
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An early-modern masonic commemorative medal, made from tin. The medal is dated 1830 on the obverse and depicts the figures of Wisdom, Virtue and Learning. The reverse is stamped with the legend HONOURABLE TESTIMONIAL OF MASONIC CHARITY & BENEVOLENCE INSTITUTED BY HRH AVG FRED DUKE OF SUSSEX M.W. GRAND MASTER with the Masonic square and compass beneath. Augustus Frederick was Duke of Sussex between 1813 - 1843. On May 2nd 1814 the Duke was installed as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. Many examples of this medal are in copper alloy, sometimes gilded or silvered. Th…
Created on: Tuesday 22nd March 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 22nd March 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-C1A627
Object type: GAMING PIECE
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Two possible gaming pieces or tokens. Both have been purposefully shaped into sub-square tokens. The smaller piece is made from shell, the larger from a stone flake. Gaming pieces like these are almost impossible to date; they could date from the Roman era right through to the Victorian period and possibly even later.
Created on: Sunday 25th July 2010
Last updated: Sunday 25th July 2010
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-100B05
Object type: SEAL
Broad period: MODERN
County: West Berkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast lead alloy seal, possibly a type of bale or parcel seal. The seal is sub-circular in plan but now distorted and is crudely manufactured. The reverse of the seal has a wedge-shaped projection running longitudinally across the back; this may have been used as a grip for the fingers or as a type of tang for a handle. The design on the front face is partially worn but depicts a double-arched crown above the letters V R, beneath which are the numbers 4 84; the design beneath this is unclear. The seal refers to Victoria Regina and the numbers may represent the date April 1884; this t…
Created on: Tuesday 9th August 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 16th August 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-EB8284
Object type: MEDAL
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A pewter medal of the Church of England Temperance Society (founded 1862). The obverse depicts St Michael spearing a dragon, while the reverse depicts an equal-armed cross with a leafy sprig in each quarter. The medal would have had 4 inverted triangle shaped arms projecting from its cardinal points, with the upper, or northern-most having a loop for suspension. In its current state, the medal measures 23.82mm long, 17.93mm wide and is 2.82mm thick. It weighs 3.4gms.
Created on: Thursday 26th November 2009
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-41EC24
Object type: TOKEN
Broad period: MODERN
County: Northamptonshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A milled copper alloy token dating to the middle of the 19th century. The token is of the wine dealer William Gazey of Banbury. The obverse of the token depicts Queen Victoria and contains the maker's details; these manufacturers kept one side of the token to advertise themselves, while the other side had the commissioner's or customers advert. William Gazey, Wine dealer is recorded in an entry in Gardner's 1852 Oxfordshire Dictionary.
Created on: Tuesday 11th October 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 11th October 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-5B8A80
Object type: SEAL
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A probable copper alloy composite seal of modern date. The object has an oval sheet which has a large groove across its width. In this groove sits a rectangular piece of copper alloy with pronged projection a little like the pin of a buckle. At the opposing end is a semi-circular groove with a small rectangular tab with hole.
Created on: Monday 9th December 2013
Last updated: Tuesday 10th December 2013
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-F28D23
Object type: COIN
Broad period: MODERN
County: West Berkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A probable modern fake of a penny of Edward the Confessor, Winchester mint. The coin appears to be imitating a hammer cross type (AD 1059-1062) although there is no annulet in the quarters of the cross as is usual for this series. The obverse inscription reads 'EADHARRD REX', crowned bust with sceptre right. The reverse reads 'ELFPINNE ON PINC'. The coin is of a very tinny white metal, and is of the correct weight and diameter however there is little wear and no tarnishing and the metal does not look or feel right for silver of this period.
Created on: Monday 16th December 2013
Last updated: Tuesday 17th December 2013
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-1BFD62
Object type: TOY
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy figurine or toy of a basket woman, probably dating to the early-modern period. The figurine depicts a woman in long dress, possibly with an apron or garments hitched up and held with one hand at the waist. There is an object in the hand (horn shaped) but it is unclear if this is part of the dress or something seperate. The other hand is on the woman's left hip. A large basket is on the woman's back but there are no obvious signs of attachment such as straps over the shoulders however the strap may in fact be the head dress that the woman is wearing. The basket is similar …
Created on: Wednesday 18th December 2013
Last updated: Thursday 19th December 2013
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-902AD5
Object type: THIMBLE
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A worn and crushed silver thimble dating to the late post-medieval or modern period. The top two-thirds of the thimble is covered with small rounded holes, all neat and compact suggesting they are machine applied. The lower third of the thimble has a blank panel to which incised decoration has been applied. This decoration consists of a sub-rectangular panel delineated by punched scores, with several elliptical shapes, possibly intended to be hearts, again of punched markings. Above this is a thin zig-zag line. It may be that the panel was intended for a name or initials however it re…
Created on: Monday 11th February 2013
Last updated: Monday 11th February 2013
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-B83038
Object type: COIN
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy Ottoman coin dating to the post-medieval or modern period. The coin is worn beyond recognition on one face, and has been pierced. It is possible the coin was pierced to wear as a necklace, as some Ottoman coins were used as charms to protect babies from evil. Although this coin could not be fully identified, it bears closest similarity to a gold qurúš of Mahmud II (1223-1255 / AD 1808-1839) and may be a lower denomination of this coinage.
Created on: Wednesday 13th February 2013
Last updated: Thursday 14th February 2013
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-AF7D06
Object type: TOKEN
Broad period: MODERN
County: West Berkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy post-medieval or early modern counterstamped halfpenny of George III, dating to between AD 1800-1820. The coin has been counterstamped on the obverse, with 'ROBINSON, CULTER, OXFORD'. Internet research suggests that a cutler called James Robinson traded from 46 Cornmarket, from AD 1830, with (assumingly) his son John trading from 44 Cornmarket after James' death and until AD 1847. The coin was already worn when it was counterstamped, and with a new king and / or queen on the throne, using an old coin was not defacing the current coinage.
Created on: Thursday 21st March 2013
Last updated: Monday 25th March 2013
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-0E5234
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: MODERN
County: Hampshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A disc-shaped copper alloy trade weight, probably for a half-ounce. The weight has three punch marks around a central circle, inside an upturned rim. The marks are the Royal Cypher of Victoria (comprising a crown over V), a quartered shield indicating the Guildhall and a ewer. These idicate that the weight is a London trade weight post-dating 1837, but pre-dating 1878 when the cypher changed to 'VR'. 13.3 grmas, or 0.47 oz.
Created on: Monday 13th May 2013
Last updated: Tuesday 28th May 2013
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-838A99
Object type: COIN
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A modern gold fanam from India, probably dating from the mid to late twentieth century AD. The coin has a design on one side only (unifaced) the reverse side being blank. Robert Bracey, Kushan Coin Project Curator at the Department of Coins & Medals, British Museum comments 'This is a Kali fanam, the designs are based on the Vira Rajam fanam but now more resemble a goddess than the lion that was originally represented. The types are probably 3.03 or 3.18 (the blank back looks flat rather than scyphate or with a boss) in Hans Herrli's Gold Fanams. Herrli thinks that all of the fanams w…
Created on: Thursday 5th March 2015
Last updated: Thursday 5th March 2015
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-A064F4
Object type: CLUB
Broad period: MODERN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An antler and lead 'priest' of uncertain but probably modern date. A priest is an object used to kill fish by hitting them on the head. This example is made from a part of antler, possible Fallow or Red Deer (Priscilla Lange pers. comm. via emailed image). The antler has been pierced with a long rounded tool near the head (the widest section). The head of the antler has also been shaped to remove projecting sections, resulting in an almost pointed terminal end. The opposing end has been hollowed out and moltern lead has been poured into it, to form the weight with which the fish would…
Created on: Tuesday 11th August 2015
Last updated: Thursday 13th August 2015
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BERK-1EF229
Object type: COIN
Broad period: MODERN
County: West Berkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A worn and damaged modern silver 'penny', purporting to be an Anglo-Saxon coin, Kings of All England issue (c.10th century AD), but in fact is a modern copy. The coin has been cast in a mould and a casting spur is visible. Made on a thick 'flan' and being more oval than round in its current state. On both sides on edge of the coin has been worn smooth, or possibly reheated slightly / poorly cast. There is a post-medieval counterstamp bearing the letter [.]. P in a square cartouche at 3 o'clock on the reverse of the coin. Similar marks are seen as makers' marks on silver of the 19th an…
Created on: Tuesday 10th November 2015
Last updated: Tuesday 10th November 2015
Spatial data recorded.