Roman pendant shaped like a penis hailed ‘significant national find’
A ROMAN pendant in the shape of a penis has been hailed a “significant national find”.
The silver willy was dug up on farmland by metal detectorist Wendy Thompson, 73.
It is believed to date from between 43AD and 410AD.
The ancient jewellery is thought to be the first silver penis pendant to be found in England and has been declared a piece of national treasure for a museum.
Retired estate agent Wendy said: “The rarity of it is that it’s a silver example of a penis pendant.
“I’ve got other bronze ones that I have found in the past but they’re nowhere near as significant.
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"They hadn’t ever found a silver one before in England.”
Wendy, who found it in Higham, near Gravesend, Kent, added: “It isn’t really the worth of the thing to my mind, it’s the interest.
“Some coins, for example, are just wonderful to look at.
"The last person to hold it was back in that era. It’s a long, long time it’s been lying in the ground waiting for me to come along and find it.”
Under treasure trove laws, an inquest was held where coroner Roger Hatch read a British Museum report saying: “This is the first silver item of its class and is a significant national find.
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He agreed with the museum and declared it a piece of treasure at the hearing in Maidstone.
Wendy, of Lydd, Kent, is waiting to find out what the valuation of the willy is and is due a share of the money.