TV Appearence

Look out for Rotographic books: Thursday, 10pm on BBC4

A new BBC comedy series focusing on the exploits of two metal detectorists, starring, written and directed by MacKenzie Crook (The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean, Game of Thrones) used a copy of “Collectors’ Coins GB 2014” on screen. MacKenzie Crook is a keen amateur metal-detectorist in real life and owns a copy of the book. The Rotographic book will be present in the wannabe archaeologists on-screen flat. Here is the original Radio Times announcement.

The six-part series has caused a little controversy among metal-detectorists, as some feel that it will make a mockery of them and unfairly portray them as anoraks. The National Council for Metal Detecting refused to co-operate with the BBC during the making of the series. Here’s more in an article from The Independent.

Here’s another related article from The Telegraph concerning the series.

Whether or not it unfairly ridicules metal-detectorists, well, we’ll just have to wait and see! I’ll report back here with book sightings (hopefully) and with my overall opinion of the first episode after it has aired.

16th October 2014: Six minutes into the 3rd episode “Collectors’ Coins GB 2014” was visible briefly, on Terry the Detectorists Club leader’s dining room table. It was opened at pages 38 and 39 (pennies 1902 – 1936)! I diligently watched all episodes and this was the only appearance as far as I could see. Not quite the 15 minutes of fame, but I’m very pleased it was featured.

A very enjoyable series. As I suspected, it didn’t make fun of metal detectorists at all. Both the main characters are likeable, sincere and really not any more nerdy than most football fans (for example). I think metal detecting groups that refused to cooperate with the BBC probably made an error of judgement. This series can only be good for the hobby, in fact I looked on Amazon just now and the No.1 book in the coin section was one on metal detecting, which probably isn’t a coincidence.

About 10 years ago two of my coins were shown on Blue Peter (for which I received a Blue Peter badge) and now after this high profile MacKenzie Crook series appearance I expect it’s probably only a matter of time before Hollywood comes knocking.