By Andrew Colin Renfrew for the Guardian

One of the unsung successes of this government is the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which records archaeological objects found by members of the public and makes that information available for all on its online database. The scheme recently recorded its 300,000th find. But all that is now under threat, an unintended consequence of this year’s comprehensive spending review by which the government fixes its funding for the next three years.

Although the spending review proved to be much better for museums and the heritage than was feared - a tribute to the negotiating ability of James Purnell, the new secretary of state - the Portable Antiquities Scheme comes under the aegis of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, the one organization that was singled out for cuts in the spending review, as its grant is being reduced by 25% in real terms over the next three years. (more…)

For the first time since decimalisation the legal tender coins of the United Kingdom will undergo a major design change. In the late spring of 2008 the nation will see new designs on the coinage, from the 1p to the ?1, reflecting a more modern twenty-first century Britain.

To mark this watershed in numismatic history, and to commemorate the reverse designs that have served Britain well for almost 40 years, the Royal Mint is producing a limited-edition gold Proof collection.

The Gold Collection comprises seven coins bearing the definitive reverse designs, the portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS on their obverse, and are all dated 2008. Each coin is struck in 22 carat gold to Proof quality. For such a magnificent collection, the Royal Mint has commissioned high-quality hand-crafted oak veneer cases designed exclusively to house the gold Proof coins. An informative booklet featuring a potted history of the iconic designs completes the presentation. Incorporated into each booklet is an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Deputy Master of the Royal Mint. (more…)

HATFIELD — Deep in the woods near Brushy Creek stands an old beech tree, its smooth bark etched with dozens of carvings, including biblical references, a heart and a legless horse.

Bob Brewer was 10 when his great-uncle, W.D. “Grandpa” Ashcraft, pointed it out on a logging trip 57 years ago.

“He said, ‘Boy, you see that tree? That’s a treasure tree,’” Brewer recalled on a recent visit to the site. “‘You see that writing? If you can figure out what that is, you’ll find some gold.’”

The old man didn’t elaborate, but his words stuck with Brewer through childhood and two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Navy helicopter crewman. So did memories of Grandpa’s frequent, unexplained horseback rides into the nearby Ouachita Mountains. Read Full Article

THE GIFT “The Gift” is a series about the things we’ve received, the things we’ve given, the things we remember. In big ways and small, they are gifts that have changed our lives.

Frank DeGeorge had no idea what his son down in Charlotte had sent him for Christmas. A book of some kind, maybe. Then he opened it, and it nearly took his breath. He looked at one spot in particular, saw what was there. And he thought: Steve remembered.

The memory came from more than 30 years ago, when Frank DeGeorge had a wife and five kids and no money coming in.

The family lived in Menonomee Falls, Wis., where Frank had spent decades with the National Tea grocery-store chain. He worked his way up to manager of the Milwaukee operations. But in the early ’70s, National Tea started shutting down stores and Frank was out of a job. Read Full Story