Finds & Identification
Links & Resources for Finds & Identification
Current Guidance and Advice
Historic England A–Z hub of current advice and guidance, including care of objects.
Source: Historic England
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: conservation/cleaning, general identification
Date Published: 7-8-2025
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Portable Antiquities Scheme update March 2025
Monthly PAS update summarising recording figures and progress on the PAS database.
Source: National Council for Metal Detecting
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: general identification, coins, brooches, buckles, dating methods/typology
Date Published: 1-3-2025
Format: pdf
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author: Michael Lewis
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Collection online guide
Instructions for using the British Museum’s Collection Online to explore object records.
Source: British Museum
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: general identification, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Collection search — coin
British Museum collection search for coins with detailed records for comparison and ID.
Source: British Museum
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: coins (Roman, medieval hammered, post-medieval), general identification
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Search our collections
National Museums Scotland search portal for digitised object records across periods.
Source: National Museums Scotland
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: general identification, jewellery, brooches, coins
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Coins of England & the United Kingdom 2025, Pre-Decimal Issues, 60th edition
Annual reference catalogue covering British coinage from Celtic to pre-decimal issues.
Source: SPINK | BOOKS
Authority Tier: 3
Topics: coins (Roman, medieval hammered, post-medieval), general identification, dating methods/typology
Date Published: 1-1-2025
Format: book
Access: Paid
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: book
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Metal Detecting Finds UK & British Coins
UK group where members share finds and request help identifying coins and artefacts.
Source: Facebook Group
Authority Tier: 4
Topics: coins (Roman, medieval hammered, post-medieval), general identification, jewellery, brooches, buckles, buttons
Error: #VALUE!
Format: facebook
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: facebook
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Button Identification Help for Metal Detectorists and Collectors
Group focused on identifying UK-found buttons and sharing reference examples.
Source: Facebook Group
Authority Tier: 4
Topics: buttons, general identification, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: facebook
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: facebook
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Livery Buttons and Badges
Public group dedicated to researching and identifying livery buttons and badges.
Source: Facebook Group
Authority Tier: 4
Topics: buttons, general identification, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: facebook
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: facebook
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Roman Coins UK
Group for sharing and learning about Roman coins in the UK, including ID help.
Source: Facebook Group
Authority Tier: 4
Topics: coins (Roman), general identification, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: facebook
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: facebook
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology — Search our collections
NMS landing page linking to searchable Scottish History & Archaeology collections.
Source: National Museums Scotland
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: coins, brooches, general identification, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Dress accessories c. 1150–c. 1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London 3)
Standard typology for medieval dress accessories including brooches, buckles and buttons.
Source: Museum of London
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: brooches, buckles, buttons, jewellery, dating methods/typology, general identification
Date Published: 1-1-1991
Format: book
Access: Paid
Established classic: Yes
Author: Geoff Egan; Frances Pritchard
Platform: book
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Buckles, 1250–1800
Identification and typology guide to post-medieval and earlier buckles.
Source: Greenlight Publishing
Authority Tier: 3
Topics: buckles, dating methods/typology, general identification
Date Published: 1-11-1996
Format: book
Access: Paid
Established classic: Yes
Author: Ross Whitehead
Platform: book
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Benet’s Artefacts of England & the United Kingdom (3rd revised ed.)
Broad compendium covering thousands of artefacts found in Britain across periods.
Source: Greenlight Publishing
Authority Tier: 3
Topics: general identification, jewellery, buckles, buttons, lead objects, bronze objects, iron objects, dating methods/typology
Date Published: 15-11-2014
Format: book
Access: Paid
Established classic: Yes
Author:
Platform: book
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Portable Antiquities Scheme — Annual Report 2023 (press release)
British Museum summary of PAS Annual Report 2023 with key figures and highlights.
Source: British Museum
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: general identification, dating methods/typology
Date Published: 11-2-2025
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Treasure Act Annual Report 2022
Official report on Treasure finds for 2022 with case summaries and guidance context.
Source: Department for Culture, Media and Sport / British Museum
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: general identification, dating methods/typology, conservation/cleaning
Date Published: 11-2-2025
Format: pdf
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Portable Antiquities Scheme — March Update (article)
NCMD summary of PAS database activity for March 2025.
Source: National Council for Metal Detecting
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: general identification, coins, brooches, buckles
Date Published: 9-4-2025
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Treasure and the Portable Antiquities Scheme
British Museum hub page for PAS and Treasure with reporting routes and database links.
Source: British Museum
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: general identification, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Caring for Archaeology in Buildings — Interiors and Small Objects
Historic England guidance on caring for small archaeological finds and materials.
Source: Historic England
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: conservation/cleaning, general identification
Date Published: 29-4-2025
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Cleaning Historic Metal
Historic England advice on the risks of cleaning historic metal and recommended approaches.
Source: Historic England
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: conservation/cleaning, bronze objects, iron objects
Date Published: 15-3-2025
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Clubs and Online Groups
NCMD-maintained directory of UK metal-detecting clubs and online groups.
Source: National Council for Metal Detecting
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: general identification, communities
Date Published: 11-7-2025
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Metal Detecting Laws UK for 2025: Best Practices
Overview of 2025 legal context with practical guidance on reporting to PAS and Treasure.
Source: Joan Allen
Authority Tier: 3
Topics: general identification, dating methods/typology
Date Published: 20-5-2025
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
UK Detector Finds Database (UKDFD)
User-curated database of recorded detector finds with typology notes for comparison and ID.
Source: UKDFD
Authority Tier: 3
Topics: general identification, coins, brooches, buckles, buttons, lead objects, bronze objects, iron objects, jewellery
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: Yes
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Dragonesque brooch (Romano-British) — British Museum Collection Online
Collection entry with typological details and curator’s comments for a Romano-British brooch.
Source: British Museum
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: brooches, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Head-loop brooch (Romano-British) — British Museum Collection Online
Detailed collection record for a Romano-British t-shaped head-loop brooch.
Source: British Museum
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: brooches, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Chatelaine brooch; toilet-set (Romano-British) — British Museum Collection Online
Enamelled copper-alloy chatelaine brooch component with findspot and display info.
Source: British Museum
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: brooches, jewellery, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Collections Online — Archaeology & Numismatics (National Museum Wales)
Collections portal with Iron Age to post-medieval objects and coinage of Wales.
Source: Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: coins, brooches, bronze objects, iron objects, jewellery, general identification
Error: #VALUE!
Format: webpage
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: web
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
U.K. History Finders Weekend (May 2025) — Anglo Celtic Metal Detecting
Field video featuring multiple artefact recoveries useful for recognising small finds.
Source: Anglo Celtic Metal Detecting
Authority Tier: 4
Topics: general identification, coins, bronze objects, iron objects
Error: #VALUE!
Format: video
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: youtube
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
The Norton Disney Roman Dodecahedron, Copyright & The Missing PAS Record! — Watching Brief
UK archaeology news analysis discussing a Roman dodecahedron discovery and recording.
Source: Watching Brief
Authority Tier: 4
Topics: general identification, Roman objects, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: video
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: youtube
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Beneath our Feet: Everyday Discoveries Reshaping History
British Museum/PAS-led book showcasing public finds with context for ID and dating.
Source: Thames & Hudson (with the British Museum)
Authority Tier: 1
Topics: general identification, coins, jewellery, dating methods/typology
Date Published: 15-5-2025
Format: book
Access: Paid
Established classic: No
Author: Michael Lewis; Ian Richardson; Mackenzie Crook
Platform: book
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
Stone Age Finds (UK)
UK-based group dedicated to identification of prehistoric stone tools.
Source: Facebook Group
Authority Tier: 4
Topics: general identification, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: facebook
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: facebook
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly
UK Group for Roman Artefacts pre 410 AD
UK group focused on Roman artefacts with identification and dating discussions.
Source: Facebook Group
Authority Tier: 4
Topics: brooches, coins (Roman), jewellery, general identification, dating methods/typology
Error: #VALUE!
Format: facebook
Access: Free
Established classic: No
Author:
Platform: facebook
Data scoured on: 18-8-2025
Researched by: Holly