File:Middle Early Medieval, Linked pin head (FindID 963713).jpg

English: An incomplete copper alloy linked pin set, of Middle Anglo-Saxon dating (8th Century AD).

Only the central circular pin head survives out of the set of three. It has been decorated with a quartered design. In the centre of each quarter is a spiral of three feathered tendrils. The tendrils curl outwards, two connect with the neighbouring quarters, the third into the outer border. In the corners are triangles. A total of five small holes are present. one at twelve o'clock, two at three o'clock and two at nine o'clock. This number of holes and their locations are suggestive of this being the central pin head. The reverse is undecorated, with traces of silvering.

It has a diameter of 39.3 mm and 1.9 mm thick. It weighs 6.7 grams.

The pin head is a mid green colour with an even surface patina.

Several other linked pins have been recorded on the PAS database, including: NLM-E621E9, LIN-D3FF8B, SF-3B0761, NLM-94EE4E and LIN-81FD08.

Dr Lisa Brundle commented on LIN-D3FF8B that: The most famous linked pin is the silver-gilt example from Witham decorated with a cruciform design with an equal-armed cross with expanded terminals and circular 'arm-pits' set at an angle to the pin-shaft and has been dated to the middle Anglo-Saxon period in the late 8th century (British Museum no. 1858,1116.4). Linked pins, however, are extremely rare - with only 12 examples recorded on the PAS database dated to the 8th century (NLM-A9E996, NLM-94EE4E, PUBLIC-E4A57C, LIN-B77E79 SWYOR-6CBDC4, SUR-D866BD, NMS-2C4864 and SF-31F506). These disc-headed type pins are generally ornamented with knot-like designs or interlaced animal ornament.