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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,906 |
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Valued Member
United States
220 Posts |
I always figured this was a medieval coin, but I have no idea what it is. Anyone? It is 31mm at its widest.   *** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. *** |
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
The 2/1/4 symbol in the middle is the symbol for the planet Jupiter.
The letters around the outside spell out JUPITER.
On the reverse is what is called a "Magic Square" known as Durer's Matrix where whether you add the numbers across/diagonally/or down you will always get the same answer. In this case 34
Edited by Topcat7
09/10/2014 8:00 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
 to the community. This is not a coin nor is it ancient. It's known as a Magic Token carried as a charm or talisman. I'm going to move this over to the Medal and Token section for better information. |
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Valued Member
 United States
220 Posts |
Thanks for the input. Can anyone tell me how old it is?
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Moderator
Australia
16829 Posts |
It is hand-made. Someone took a blank copper disc - it probably was originally a coin - and carved this design into it. It could have been made any time from around 1600 to around 1900.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
That should be about the diameter if the base coin used was any British penny since 1860.
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Valued Member
United States
220 Posts |
From what I can tell this is a Jupiter Talisman. The matrix on the reverse is Jupiter's. Although it is hand made, do you think there is any way to tell how old it is? Thank you all for the information.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4416 Posts |
Welcome to the CCF, thryan9 ...
IMHO, it's likely early 1800's or before ... The use if an "I" for the "J" in Jupiter suggests this to me. Curious piece, this!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
937 Posts |
I agree with most of what has been said. I will question the age, however. It is a talisman, and handmade, it has the power or energy of the creator in it so it is often made by the person carrying it. Followers of Alister Crowley and Gerald Gardner often make such things so I would not be surprised to learn it is post 1800. The I instead of a J is most likely because the J sound is sometimes made by the I in old Latin (like in the coins of James I and James II, and Jesus sometimes will start with an I). If I put Jupiter into a latin translater I am getting XEIAO. Another reason I doubt its antiquity. Followers of Crowley and Gardner and their offshoots have been known to be a bit loose with their translations. This could easily be Victorian or even more recent.
Either way it is interesting and most likely one of a kind. Enjoy it. It would be a cool pocket piece.
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Valued Member
United States
220 Posts |
Being able to observe this talisman in hand, and knowing it was collected in the early 20th century, I believe it to be pre-1800. It is most likely made from a worn Byzantine bronze follis. The pairing of Durer's Matrix's with each planet was widely disseminated in the 1530's. I don't think it is that old, but 17th or 18th century would be my guess. I will probably never know for sure, but I now know more about it now than I did before asking the question, so thanks for all the input!
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,906 |
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Posted 09/10/2014 7:55 pm
