UK detector finds database

UPLOADING A COIN RECORD Preparation Before uploading details of your coin, please ensure that you have the image(s) and all the required information to hand. If you haven’t previously uploaded a find, it is worth spending a few minutes looking at records of similar items on the database to get an idea of the format required. Please check that your coin is eligible for inclusion on the database before proceeding. Images For each coin, it is necessary to illustrate both the obverse and reverse, even if one side is blank by design (as on some Celtic coins). This can be done by uploading a separate image of the obverse and reverse, or by combining the two images on a single picture using image-processing software. Please ensure that designs are correctly orientated, and do not use modern coins to indicate scale. Further information about creating suitable digital images can be found at Photography Tips for images produced by photography, and at Scanning Tips for images produced with a scanner. Data In addition to uploading your image(s), there are certain fields that must be completed at the record creation stage. There are also many optional fields, and you are requested to complete as many of these as possible. Some, however, will not be applicable to every coin and should be ignored – i.e. leave blank as opposed to typing ‘Not applicable’, etc.
Process On selecting the link to upload your find, you will reach Step 1 of the process. Here you may choose to upload either an artefact or a coin. Select the latter from the dropdown menu and press the ‘Submit’ button to proceed to Step 2.

At Step 2 you will be required to select the category of coin from a similar dropdown menu. The only option for registered users is Finds awaiting validation->Coins’. Press the ‘Submit’ button to proceed to Step 3.

Step 3 is the stage at which the image(s) and data are uploaded to the database. The first requirement is to choose a ‘Title’ for your record. Bear in mind that it will be displayed with your image(s) at all times, so make it as appropriate as possible. ‘Nero Denarius’ is better than ‘Denarius’, which itself is better than ‘Roman Coin’, and so on.

After entering the title, you upload your image(s) by pressing the ‘Browse’ button(s) and choosing the path to the location where your images are stored.

The ‘Description’ field, in the case of coins, is likely to be either the same, or a slightly expanded version of the title. ‘Nero Denarius’ might become ‘Nero denarius struck at Rome circa AD 66-67’. The additional details will, however, be recorded separately in the data fields, so it is not strictly necessary to include them in the ‘Description’.

The next field, ‘Keywords’, is provided to assist those wishing to search the database. In the case of our example, ‘Nero denarius Rome silver’, would be appropriate. The words should be separated by spaces only. If you leave this blank, the title will be used for Key words.

There are then 26 data fields, shown below, of which those asterisked thus * must be completed. Each field has examples/guidance regarding requirements, but bear in mind that not all will be applicable in every case.

When you hit ‘Submit’ after completing this stage, your record will be uploaded to the database.

When you are ready to upload your coin details, click the link below or return to the ‘Welcome’ page and proceed from there.

Upload a find to the database

UKDFD Copright 2005
Version 2005.06.13

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