Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License:
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Unique ID: LANCUM-715308
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete lead trade weight of medieval to post-medieval date 1380-1600AD. The weight is shield shaped with a circular perforation through the pointed edge. A moulded relief design of a lions rampant is present on the upper surface. The reverse is flat and undecorated. The length is 34mm, the width is 25mm and the weight 119g.
Lead weighs such as this were commonly used to weigh goods under the averdepois system from 1390 in England and were used throughout the 15th century. It is likely that these weights represent a desire to standardize the trade weight system.
Biggs & Withers (2000, p.34) discuss the difficulties in dating shield weights as links between documentary evidence and artefactual evidence are difficult to establish. Their longevity with various qualities of workmanship and numerous designs employed over a long period of time also make dating difficult.
Biggs & Withers (2000, p.35) also state that the crowned-lis device employed on shield-shaped lead weights is a feature commonly found in the North of England.
Withers, P. and Withers, B.R., 1995 Lions Ships and Angels: Identifying Coin-Weights Found in Britain Llanfyllin : Galata Print, 39 ,
Similar to LANCUM-66B039, YORYM-D85366 and WMID-0C42F4.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1380
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Quantity: 1
Length: 34 mm
Width: 25 mm
Weight: 119 g
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 6th July 2017 - Thursday 6th July 2017
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Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SD7539
Four figure Latitude: 53.84663226
Four figure longitude: -2.38146836
1:25K map: SD7539
1:10K map: SD73NE
Grid reference source: Centred on parish
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.