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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: IOW-8C253A
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
An incomplete Medieval copper-alloy circular pendant seal matrix (c. 1300-c. 1400).
This circular die has what appears to be a crescent at the centre, tips upwards, with a central vertical groove, perhaps representing an anchor. It is surrounded by a faint engraved border, and around is an inscription beginning with a plain cross initial mark. It appears to read + S' WILLEM CATEOVR (Seal of William Cateour). The surname Cateour comes from the Old French acateor and means a buyer of provisions (e.g. for a large household) (Reaney and Wilson, under entry for Cater).
The rear face has a central mid-rib terminating with a suspension loop at the top. This matrix is green with a patchy olive green patina and some areas of corrosion. The break is old. Height: 30.4mm; width: 24.9mm; thickness: 9.0mm. Weight: 9.54g.
Inscription:
+ S' WILLEM CATEOVR
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 30.4 mm
Width: 24.9 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 9.54 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 6th April 2015 - Monday 6th April 2015
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: IOW2015-2-196
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
District: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Isle of Wight
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
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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