A worn and corroded Post-Medieval pewter/lead-alloy token, dating AD 1575-1589, known as a 'Lyon counter'. The obverse depicts a rampant lion within a circular banner, surmounted by a crown. Within the banner is the inscription HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, though the QUI is obscured by the crown. This phrase is an Anglo-Norman maxim which rather means, "Shame on whomsoever would think badly of it". The reverse displays a garnished oval shield between two columns, with three fleurs-de-lys within the shield (the arms of France). Above the shield is a large arched crown and two smaller crowns above the columns. A foliate design borders the central image with pellets running around the edge.
The token is quite worn, thus much obscures much of the detail. The token is a mottled dark brown colour.
Measurements: 23.38mm in diameter, 1.33mm thick and 2.75g in weight.
A worn and corroded Post-Medieval pewter/lead-alloy token, dating AD 1575-1589, known as a 'Lyon counter'. The obverse depicts a rampant lion within a circular banner, surmounted by a crown. Within the banner is the inscription HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, though the QUI is obscured by the crown. This phrase is an Anglo-Norman maxim which rather means, "Shame on whomsoever would think badly of it". The reverse displays a garnished oval shield between two columns, with three fleurs-de-lys within the shield (the arms of France). Above the shield is a large arched crown and two smaller crowns above the columns. A foliate design borders the central image with pellets running around the edge.
The token is quite worn, thus much obscures much of the detail. The token is a mottled dark brown colour.
Measurements: 23.38mm in diameter, 1.33mm thick and 2.75g in weight.
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. Mitchener (1988:4584) discusses the Lyon tokens and examples can be found on the PAS database: LON-B75695, LON-35C284 and LON-D7B215. These Lyon tokens seem to be associated with London as do a number of possibly related tokens or 'medallets' with suggested association with political events of the reign of Elizabeth I, a number of which are discussed by JJ North in English Hammered Coinage Volume 2: Edward to Charles II 1272-1662 (1991, 140).
A RDF representation of KENT-A0BA88
2016-04-22T12:31:52+01:00
2016-04-29T19:15:01+01:00
KENT-A0BA88
KENT-A0BA88
GB
en-GB
The Trustees of the British Museum
The Trustees of the British Museum
1
http://purl.org/NET/Claros/vocab#Thumbnail
Attribute as courtesy of the British Museum
A thumbnail image of KENT-A0BA88
Lead Alloy
Primary material of object
Complete
23.38
Diameter
1.33
Thickness
2.75
Weight
By Attribution 3.0
The period from for the object
Attribute as courtesy of the British Museum
A full resolution image of KENT-A0BA88
1575
1589
Method of manufacture