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TOKEN
Unique ID: PUBLIC-11831D
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete Post Medieval lead alloy 'Lyon' counter, dating AD 1575-1590. On the obverse is a garnished oval shield between two columns, with three fleurs-de-lys within the shield. Above the shield is a large crown and two smaller crowns are above the columns. A foliate design borders the central image with pellets running around the edge. The reverse depicts a rampant lion within a circular banner, surmounted by a crown. Within the banner is the inscription: HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE.
Dimensions: diameter: 22.85mm; weight: 2.64g.
A similar 'Lyon counter' on the database is LON-C5DD59.
This type of token is associated with the order of the garter and Henri III of France in particular, who was invested as knight of the garter in AD 1575.
Mitchiner (1998:1637) writes "These counters are characterised by showing a 'rampant lion within garter' as their obverse design. They have been given the name 'Lyon' counters because they can probably be identified with the 'Lyon' counters cited in the Hengrave (Suffolk) Book of Expenses for April 1583 ("for a case of Lyon counters xviij d" : Barnard 1916, p.86; discussed above).
The Lyon counters form one of the three major series of Elizabethan counters - the Exchequer counters, the Lyon counters and the Crowned Rose counters. Although the majority of Lyon counters have been found in London, they circulated across a much wider are of the Home Counties. Many have been found in East Anglia and their range extends westwards, across to Wiltshire. In this respect the Lyon counters appear to have enjoyed the widest usage among the general population of all counters of English manufacture during the two decades of their heyday, the 1570' to 1590's."
Notes:
Reference: Hawkins E., 1885. Medallic Illustrations of the History of Great Britain and Ireland to the Death of George II (Volume 1) London: Spink
Mitchiner, M. 1998. British Isles Circa 1558 to 1830, Jetons Medalets & Tokens, Volume 3. Seaby: London
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1575
Date to: Circa AD 1590
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 0.7 mm
Weight: 2.64 g
Diameter: 22.85 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 11th March 2020
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Completeness: Complete
Jetton / token data
Denomination: Jetton
Obverse description: A garnished oval shield between two columns, with three fleurs-de-lys within the shield. Above the shield is a large crown and two smaller crowns are above the columns. A foliate design borders the central image with pellets running around the edge.
Reverse description: A rampant lion within a circular banner, surmounted by a crown. Within the banner is the inscription:
Reverse inscription: HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE.
Degree of wear: Slightly worn: very fine
Spatial metadata
Region: London (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Greater London Authority (Greater London Authority)
District: City and County of the City of London (London Borough)
Parish or ward: Dowgate (London Borough Ward)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TQ3280
Four figure Latitude: 51.5035277
Four figure longitude: -0.09955492
1:25K map: TQ3280
1:10K map: TQ38SW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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