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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: LVPL-1CAF44
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete cast copper-alloy fob-seal matrix of Medieval date. It has a flat circular die with an hexagonally faceted conical terminal that tapers to an old break. The face is engraved with a central image of a squirrel viewed from the side with a legend surrounding. The legend reads 'I CRAKE NOTIS' (I crack nuts).
Wildlife, particularly squirrels, hares and rabbits appear frequently on matrices of this type. Seal matrices of this type bearing imaginative legends in French or English and with decorative rather than heraldic central elements are typical of the 14th century AD. Harvey and McGuinness, (1996: pp. 88-89, 116). A similar example which can be found on the database is Oakden, V (2014) LVPL-060656 A MEDIEVAL SEAL MATRIX Webpage available at: http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/603962.
Inscription:
I CRAKE NOTIS
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 11 mm
Diameter: 12 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st May 2014
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: York (Unitary Authority)
District: York (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Strenshall
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey, P.D.A. and McGuinness, A. | 1996 | A Guide to British Medieval Seals | London | British Library and Public Record Office |
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Timeline of associated dates
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