More treasure unearthed in Staffordshire

A silver thimble and gold jewel holder discovered in Staffordshire have been officially declared as treasure.

The items are the latest discovery in the county and were unearthed following the discovery of the famous Staffordshire Hoard in 2009. They have now been sent off to be valued.

The gold item, called a Cloisonne Panel, is from the Anglo-Saxon period and has been described as similar to items found in the famous Staffordshire Hoard, which was unearthed in Hammerwich in July 2009.

Dr Tom Brindle, archaeological finds liaison officer for Staffordshire and West Midlands told the coroner yesterday how the item was found in January and was made of a pure gold, and would have once contained a precious stone.

He said: "It is very similar to the pieces found in the Staffordshire Hoard. It is gold and would have had gems in it."

However he said experts were not able to say what the piece, which measures 17mm in diameter and weighs 1.6g, was attached to. A report to the coroner stated: "The object is clearly a component of a larger item. The most obvious candidate is a surround for the central domed settings from a plated disc brooch or composite disc brooch but it is unclear from the principal study."

Landowner John Lewis, of Acton Trussel, said the item was found by another man on his land who had been searching for treasure for around 20 years. He said: "It is very exciting. I think we will have to wait to see what will happen with it and how much it is valued at, but it would be nice to see it in a museum."

The silver thimble was found in the Lichfield area. British Museum experts say it was found to be from the post-medieval times. It has a missing crown. There are also waffle shaped indentations around the body and three broad interlacing circles, with an inscription that reads 'Mee-Remember'.

The report says similar examples can be found from Somerset and Pembrokeshire. The person who found the thimble was not identified.

Stoke on Trent Potteries and Art Gallery museum has said it is interested in buying both pieces that were found.

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