Offered here is a piece of Viking hacksilver found by metal detectorists at the so-called 'Ainsbrook' Viking/Saxon site in Yorkshire.

This site featured in a TV 'Time Team Special' program called 'Codename Ainsbrook', and was surrounded by great secrecy. Only a few of the production team including (eventually) the presenter, Tony Robinson, were allowed to film at the site. The site has produced artefacts from the Neolithic, Roman, Saxon, Viking, and Medieval periods, but the finds there are predominantly Saxon/Viking. Viking finds have included swords, pommels, brooches and other clothing items, hacksilver, 'Hnefatafl' gaming pieces/dice, and lead weights. The site has also produced large quantities of styca coins primarily from the 9th century. It is believed that the Viking Great Army was based there for some period.

I acquired this artefact direct from the metal detectorists who featured in the TV program.

Over 2009/2010 I bought, direct from the detectorists, all their remaining collection of artefacts found at the site, and my collection now numbers several thousand artefacts in total. Prior to this, some of their items had been acquired by the York Archaeological Trust/British Museum, and some had been sold to other collectors. The detectorists were extremely thorough in reporting all their finds to the YAT/BM, including those items acquired by me. As a Yorkshireman myself, I bought the collection to ensure that the key remaining items from the site could be kept together. The core of the collection is not  for sale nor will it ever be - it will stay with me and, ultimately, is to be donated to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, with whom I have already shared and discussed some of the artefacts.

However, following several years of ill-health and subsequent financial constraints, I have decided to sell some of the items that are not core to the collection.

This hacksilver is one of about 80 or so smaller pieces that were submitted to the YAT/BM but were later released by them - the small plastic bag shown in the photo is exactly how this individual piece came to me. I am including the bag free as I have no means of validating the info shown on it.

Please Note:-

1) I will not divulge the location of the site to anyone under any circumstances, including buyers, for obvious reasons

2) Items are guaranteed to be from the Ainsbrook site

3) Only items offered through eBay are for sale - please don't contact me regarding other artefacts in the collection or for offers outside of eBay

Thank You!