Quadring/Gosberton – 10th August
On Sunday 10th August, our community of detectorists gathered on fifty acres of beautifully prepared farmland at Quadring/Gosberton. The sun blazed down, the land lay flat and ready, and with every beep of a detector, anticipation grew.
“Thank you to everyone who attended the dig today—it was a warm one, great land conditions, huge field and some decent finds.” – Martin Stokes
First Impressions
From the very start, the field showed promise. Coins, buttons, buckles, and even musket balls emerged, each whispering stories of the past.
Finds of the Day
Medieval Silver
Alexander III Halfpenny – A stunning 13th-century hammered coin unearthed by Malcolm Baggaley, offering a glimpse into Scotland’s medieval economy.
Tim Howard struck lucky with two hammered coins, while Simon added to the tally with a hammered penny and fragment.
Tiny but Mighty
Nigel uncovered a lovely medieval farthing and a decorative mount, possibly from horse equipment.
Long Cross Penny & Military Finds
Heath Stanley, on his first dig with us, found a long cross penn, an ornate button, a buckle, and even a musket ball—evidence that the site has seen centuries of use, from medieval traders to post-medieval soldiers.
Cartwheel Penny Milestone
For Robert Wilds, this day will be remembered forever—his very first coin find, a George III Cartwheel Penny (1797), the heaviest coin ever circulated in Britain. He also discovered an old button to round out his collection.
Buttons, Buckles & Curios
David Jackson’s ornate buttons and other artefacts stirred much discussion—was that a face impressed into one design? Paul Greenwood added a silver cut fragment and T-bar fitting, pushing through the heat to secure something special.
The Human Side
Detectorists know it’s about more than just finds—it’s the laughter, the shared excitement, and sometimes even the lost trowels. Nigel Ridgway’s light-hearted post asking “Anybody lost this?” summed up the spirit of the day perfectly.
As Allan Carr said:
“Enjoyable day, good digging, some nice finds with great people.”
History in the Soil
The range of discoveries—from medieval hammered coins to Georgian pennies and post-medieval musket balls—reveals Quadring and Gosberton’s long continuity of settlement and activity. Each item is a thread in the broader tapestry of Lincolnshire’s history: trade, agriculture, conflict, and daily life.
Closing Thoughts
This dig will be remembered for the hammered silvers, the historic Cartwheel Penny, and the joy of first-time discoveries. But most of all, it will be remembered for the fellowship in the field.
