An early medieval cast copper alloy pressblech die, probably dating from the 7th/8th century AD. The die is complete and in fair condition. While both the rim and the reverse are smooth and in very good condition, the obverse surface is rough and very worn. The decoration, however, is still visible. The decoration appears to be random and not wholly geometric, probably Irish in origin: it is composed of a complicated pattern of swirls, triskeles and waves in interlace style. The only symmetrical part of the pattern is the centre which depicts two three-armed pattern set on top of each other, with one almost further to the back than the other, thus creating an almost three-dimensional style with a more faint 'backdrop' and a much clearer design at the front. Around the centre motif the three 'arms' continue, transforming into swirls which follow the outline of the circle for about a centimetre and then morph into triskeles, swirls and large waves.

Dr Kevin Leahy adds: "Its massive section looks like a Pressblech die. Pressblech does occur on Celtic style metalwork (Craddock, 1989, 192-3, in Youngs, 'The Work of Angels'). He quotes examples and we have a Celtic style die from Louth, Lincolnshire."

The die was analysed (XRF) at Birmingham labs by Pieta Greaves to determine its metallurgical composition. The result is:

No traces of enamel could be detected in the grooves which makes identification much difficult. However, Kevin Leahy says: "It is difficult to say much on the basis of these readings. Cath Mortimer found that the alloys used by the Anglo-Saxons were highly varied (they seem to have been melting down anything that they could lay hands on) and this alloy fits into this wide picture. As we are looking at what is likely to be a Celtic object I had a look at Irish alloys. Very little analytical work has been done but the few results that we have suggest that the Irish were using relatively high levels of tin (10%) and that their alloys were cleaner than those of the English (they had their own sources of metal). Most modern bronzes are about 12% Sn and I suspect that this object is an antiquity. "

A related object, possibly a mount or a pin head is recorded under NARC-CB5CF4.