Dealer’s Wife Unearths Finds When
Husband’s Back is Turned
Michelle and Gerry McMullen of Boise,
Idaho were on an England metal detecting
tour. He had convinced her to try a new
detector that day, a Fisher 1270. At first
they worked side by side comparing signals
and digging targets. After Michelle had
found a couple of 17th Century
buckles, a 1669 Token, and a couple bronze
roman coins, Gerry decided she was doing
well enough for him to go to another field.
Who could imagine what she would have found
after he left.
Her first exciting find
in that field turned out to be a Roman
Republican Silver Denarius of Pompeius and
was identified by the archeologists they
were working with as dating 46-45 BC.
Everyone was excited, except Gerry, he was
in another field.
Front
and Back views of 46-45BC Silver Republican
Roman Denaurius
Pompeius
Michelle’s next find
really got everyone excited. She dug up
what appeared to be a bronze cross. She
took it to up to a group of 3 archeologists
in the field for identification. One
screamed and took off running with it. The
other 2 stood in shock. What Michelle had
found was a 5th Century Early
Saxon Cruciform Brooch. Usually only
fragments of these are found, and she’d
found one almost completely intact. The
excitement didn’t end there. Upon close
examination, it was noted that there was
cloth still attached to the back of it.
Picture
of 5th Century Saxon Cruciform
Brooch (prior to restoration)
This find was
determined to be of historical significance
and though an actual value has not been
determined for it yet, it is considered
priceless for its historic value by the
archeologists and local museum. The brooch
also made Western and Eastern Treasure’s
list of the “Best Finds in 2001. Even
though Michelle could have kept this item,
she donated it to the local museum, where it
is going through preservation and will be
put on permanent display in the museum for
others to see and enjoy.
Upon Gerry’s return
from the other field, he noticed that his
wife was still detecting. One of the
archeologists showed Gerry what she’d
found….all while his back was turned.
Fresh
out of the ground.
