Rights Holder: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service
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Unique ID: SWYOR-7ECDFB
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A cast lead alloy token probably of Medieval date, AD 1200 - 1500, possibly of a religious nature. Both sides carry moulded designs in relief. On one side is a crude standing figure, (possibly of Christ on the cross), facing forwards, with an over-sized head, very small legs apart and arms outstretched to the sides. In each of the quadrants created by the figure is a letter or symbol. That in the lower right hand quadrant may be an I or possibly a T; the upper left may be a sun or star and those in the other two quadrants are illegible. The reverse has a small plain cross in the centre which is surmounted by either a bird, facing left, with outstretched wings, or perhaps a cross pattee. There are also five or six symbols around the edge which may again be letters but are also indecipherable. The token is 17.5mm in diameter and 3.6mm thick. It weighs 3.33gm.
No close parallel has been found yet but there are a few similar examples on the database. Most are uniface and none is as detailed as this one (SF-6A2E37, SUSS-5FBB03), but see for example record FAKL-BECCB3. The object could also be considered to be a pilgrim souvenir (but as Michael Lewis comments, without an attachment loop this is unlikely) or a medal. The images have also been examined by Kevin Leahy.
The figure on the obverse is reminiscent of those found on some Early Medieval coinage, such as SWYOR-62B752.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 3.6 mm
Weight: 3.33 g
Diameter: 17.5 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 5th October 2014 - Saturday 25th October 2014
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Other reference: PAS form number 2402
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Denomination: Token penny
Obverse description: Standing figure with arms outstretched (Jesus?)
Reverse description: cross
Reverse inscription: +[...]
Die axis measurement: 12 o'clock
4 Figure: SE3846
Four figure Latitude: 53.90876951
Four figure longitude: -1.42304985
1:25K map: SE3846
1:10K map: SE34NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.