BROOCH

Treasure case 2016 T564: Acquired by Dorset County Museum

A silver penny of Edward the Confessor which has been modified by gilding and piercing, probably to form a brooch. The gilding covers the reverse and edges of the obverse. Three circular holes have been drilled through, burrs around the edges suggest this was mainly from the obverse. The holes are situated near the edge at 1 o'clock, 5 o'clock and 8 o'clock (seen from the reverse). A crack runs between the one at 1 o'clock and the edge.

The coin is a Bust facing / small cross type dating to early to mid-1060s minted by Sideman at Wareham.

Obverse: Bust facing, bearded and crowned.

Obverse inscription: EAPÐERD RE:

Reverse: Small cross patte in centre

Reverse inscription: S[I]DEMAN Ð[E]RHA

Die axis measurement: 3

Dimensions: The coin is 17.3mm in diameter, 1.14 grams in weight and bent slightly.

Discussion:

The brooch is typical of a type of coin brooch which appears to have been particularly fashionable from the middle of the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042-66) to sometime in the reign of William I (1066-87). As is usual for the type, the reverse of the coin, showing a cross design is gilded and would have been the side displayed, which may indicate that the object had some sort of religious significance. While it is impossible to say exactly how soon after the coins were issued they were converted into brooches, it appears that this took place while each coin type was still current, which would mean no more than two or three years between the issue of the coin and the manufacture of the brooch, placing this example sometime in the mid 1060s.

There three holes would have held rivets to attach separate silver or copper alloy strip catch plates and a hinge for the pin. Four holes are more typical but examples with two - four holes are known.