KENT-A2CC1C: Elizabethan Lyon toke, with unusual crown rose reverse

Rights Holder: Kent County Council
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TOKEN

Unique ID: KENT-A2CC1C

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A worn and corroded Post-Medieval pewter/lead-alloy token, dating AD 1575-1600, known as a 'Lyon counter'. The obverse depicts the standard lyon token obverse of 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. A foliate design borders the central image with pellets running around the edge.This phrase is an Anglo-Norman maxim which rather means, "Shame on whomsoever would think badly of it".A foliate design borders the central image with pellets running around the edge.The reverse displays a Tudor rose, between two columns each topped with a small crown and surmounted by a large arched crown and two smaller crowns above the columns. Surrounded by a legend '.GOD.SA/VE .THE.//.QVENE.'

The token's detail is sharp, with only a small amoutn of obverse detail obscured by an encrusting substances.The token is a mottled dark brown colour.

Measurements: 28.08mm in diameter, 1.26mm thick and 4.19g in weight.

Notes:

This type of token is similar to those Lyon tokens associated with the order of the garter and Henri III of France, which display the French Lis shield reverse. No clear parallel is seen on the database. This example seems to be a bit of a hybrid of the Lis shield Lyon token (a number of which exist on the database @ LON-B75695, LON-35C284 and LON-D7B215) and the medalet/token North 2062 (some examples of these @KENT-4BAE62), which has an obverse which also displays the legend 'GOD SAVE THE QVENE'. All these tokens and madlets 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).

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1575
Date to: Circa AD 1600

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Thickness: 1.26 mm
Weight: 4.19 g
Diameter: 28.08 mm

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete

Jetton/ token data

Issuer: Elizabeth I of England
Denomination: lead/pewter token
Obverse description: Double headed spread eagle
Obverse inscription: Uninscribed
Reverse description: Crowned rose with the letters E and R either side
Reverse inscription: GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
Die axis measurement: 9 o'clock
Degree of wear: Worn: fine

Spatial metadata

Region: London (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Greater London Authority (Greater London Authority)
District: Bexley (London Borough)
Parish or ward: Erith (London Borough Ward)

Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: TQ4680
Four figure Latitude: 51.50008785
Four figure longitude: 0.10201612
1:25K map: TQ4680
1:10K map: TQ48SE
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.

References cited

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
North, J.J.	1960	English Hammered Coinage: Vol 2. Edward I to Charles II, 1272-1662	London	Spink and Son

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: KENT
Created: 6 years ago
Updated: 6 years ago

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