Late Saxon/Norman, a copper Scabbard Mount, 11th cent., 3cm high by 2cm wide, crowned facing head with large semi-circular ears, lentoid eyes, long straight nose with curling moustache and double pointed beard, crown of three fleur-de-lis with diadem band inset with central pellet, angled opening at the rear with a bar across for attachment. Complete, in very fine condition with a light brown patina £200-£300

Provenance: Found at Princes Risborough (Buckinghamshire), 2021, in a ploughed field using an XP Deus at a depth of 2 inches. The finder had no idea what it was and published it in Searcher magazine for an identification, but to no avail.

The crowned King’s head is more commonly encountered from the 13th century as a buckle or belt mount – this early example is very unusual