MEDALLION

Unique ID: DUR-5706F4

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

Notes:

During excavations made in 1858 for a new dock at Shadwell, some two thousand metal objects were produced as discoveries made during the work. These ultimately proved to have been made about 12 years before by two illiterate, but ingenious mud-rakers, whose moulds were discovered; and shortly afterwards the production of similar objects was continued by two men known as Billy and Charley living in Rosemary Lane on Tower Hill. The objects were made of lead or 'cock metal', an alloy of copper and lead, and took the form chiefly of medallions but also of daggers, vases, hollow figures representing ecclesiastics, triptychs etc. The medallions bear figures and busts of kings, armed knights, etc in low relief, surrounded by sham inscriptions including a date (often 1001 or 1021) in Arabic numerals. It is needless to point out that the kind of armour depicted does not accord with the period suggested and that Arabic numerals were not employed for dates in the eleventh century. These forgeries, which exist in great numbers and show an astonishing variety of types, are now very widely distributed over England, and are often actually excavated because they have been purposely placed in the earth.

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1800
Date to: Circa AD 1900

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Thickness: 2.05 mm
Weight: 24 g
Diameter: 41.82 mm

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Monday 9th August 2010

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete