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Category: Medieval Hammered Coins

Medieval Hammered Silver Coins: Unearthing History with Your Metal Detector

Are you fascinated by the thrill of discovering ancient treasures buried beneath your feet? If you’re a metal detectorist with a passion for history, few finds can match the excitement of unearthing medieval hammered silver coins. These small, delicate pieces of the past offer a tangible connection to life in the Middle Ages and can provide valuable insights into the economic and social structures of bygone eras.

In this comprehensive section, we’ll explore the world of medieval hammered silver coins, from their historical significance to the best techniques for finding and identifying them in the field. Whether you’re a seasoned detectorist with years of experience or a newcomer eager to make your first significant discovery, this resource will help you unlock the secrets hidden in fields, forests, and forgotten corners of the countryside.

What Are Medieval Hammered Silver Coins?

Medieval hammered silver coins represent a crucial part of numismatic history, spanning roughly from the 5th to the 17th centuries in Europe. Unlike modern minted coins, these pieces were crafted by hand using a hammer and die technique, resulting in unique characteristics that make them instantly recognizable to the trained eye.

The process of creating these coins involved placing a blank silver disc between two dies and striking it with a hammer. This method produced coins with distinct features, including irregular shapes, off-center designs, and often incomplete legends around the edges. The imperfections in these coins not only add to their charm but also provide valuable clues for dating and attribution.

Throughout the medieval period, hammered silver coins served as the primary currency for trade and commerce. They were issued by various monarchs, local authorities, and even ecclesiastical institutions, each leaving their mark on the coins through unique designs, portraits, and inscriptions. For metal detectorists, finding one of these coins is like holding a piece of medieval life in your hands, offering a direct link to the people who lived, worked, and traded centuries ago.

Why Are Medieval Hammered Silver Coins Valuable to Detectorists?

For many metal detecting enthusiasts, medieval hammered silver coins represent the holy grail of finds. Their allure goes beyond mere monetary value, encompassing historical significance, artistic merit, and the sheer excitement of discovery. Here’s why these coins are so prized among detectorists:

Firstly these silver coins provide a unique window into the past. Each coin tells a story, offering insights into the reign of a particular monarch, the economic conditions of the time, and even the minting practices of different regions. For history buffs, deciphering the legends and symbols on these coins can be as thrilling as the act of finding them.

Secondly, the rarity of well-preserved hammered coins makes them highly sought after by collectors. While some types are relatively common, others are exceedingly rare, with only a handful of known examples. The condition of the coin, its historical significance, and its rarity all contribute to its value, both in terms of personal satisfaction and potential monetary worth.

Lastly, the process of researching and identifying hammered silver coins can be incredibly rewarding. Each find presents a puzzle to be solved, requiring detectorists to develop their knowledge of medieval history, numismatics, and even Latin inscriptions. This ongoing learning process adds depth to the hobby, turning each detection outing into an educational adventure.

The History of the Silver English Four Pence Groat

adminAugust 15, 2024September 30, 2024 Medieval Hammered Coins / Victorian Coins

The Groat: A Coin with a Royal Pedigree Imagine this: you’re out in a soggy field, your trusty detector swinging back and forth, when suddenly – ping! You’ve just unearthed a small silver coin. But it’s not your run-of-the-mill penny or shilling – it’s a groat. These little beauties have […]

After the Storm: A 700-Year-Old Medieval Hammered Silver Coin Emerges from Rain-Soaked Soil

adminJuly 19, 2024September 30, 2024 Medieval Hammered Coins

It has been an unusually wet July, even taking into account the often damp British weather. This was midsummer, and it had rained nearly every day this month. As I looked out of my window on my day off work, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. I […]

My Smallest Hammered Silver Coin So Far – An Edward IV Silver Penny From Around 1480

adminDecember 14, 2023September 10, 2024 Medieval Hammered Coins

It was a cold and wet Wednesday afternoon when I decided to put a few hours detecting in at one of my local permissions. This is one that hast a major A road running right through it, so 3 fields are on one side of the road and 6 fields […]

Not a Bad Days Detecting Finding a Hammered Silver Coin and a Medieval Purse Bar

adminDecember 9, 2023September 10, 2024 Medieval Artifacts / Medieval Hammered Coins

It was a chilly February morning when I set off for one of my favourite permissions. At it’s centre is the site of a medieval moated manor house, all that is left of it now is part of the moat. Where the house once stood is now just a paddock. […]

The Thrill of Unearthing Silver Hammered Coins: The Day A Shiny Silver Hammered Tudor Sixpence Revealed Itself

adminNovember 22, 2023September 11, 2024 Medieval Hammered Coins

There’s something magical about the moment when your metal detector signals a find, and you unearth a piece of history from the soil. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love finding silver hammered coins. The excitement of holding a piece of currency that last saw daylight centuries ago […]

A Wet November Saturday Afternoon’s Metal Detecting and Two Silver Coins With 500 Years Between Them

adminNovember 19, 2023September 11, 2024 Medieval Hammered Coins

It was going to be a solo detecting excursion as sadly Bob couldn’t make it, it had been a busy week for him so was needing to catch up on his beauty sleep (he needs as much as possible to be fair!). I headed over to my current favourite permission […]