Thick & Heavy Medallion With Ray Pattern

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 2,421
spru Bedrock of the Community United States 12477 Posts	Posted 01/24/2017 11:45 pm Im not sure if this is anything but I found it in a box of loose coins and tokens. It measures 23mm at its widest and weighs 22.4g. It appears to be made of lead and has a single sunray stamp, nothing else. Anyone seen this before? In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020 In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020 In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024 Report this Post to the Staff

packrat1 Valued Member United States 185 Posts	Posted 01/25/2017 02:15 am This is just a guess. It might be a wieght of some kind? Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 01/25/2017 04:17 am Looks like a type of widows mite. John1 Report this Post to the Staff
moxking Rest in Peace United States 17900 Posts	Posted 01/25/2017 2:15 pm Put it in your church donation this coming Sunday, or whichever day it is. Widows mite might make it meaningful. Report this Post to the Staff
Pistareen Valued Member United States 309 Posts	Posted 01/25/2017 6:55 pm Widows Mites were small bronze coins with an anchor / "wheel of eight" (spokes) of Jannaeus Alexander from about 200 BC. The wheel of eight design, I understand was used by early Christians three hundred years later, as a safe sign of recognition, as they were under persecution. Think of a love token with three initials one over the other. Chi, Rho, Theta in Greek for Christ would make a rough "wheel of eight." They may have chalked that symbol on inconspicuous places of safe houses to communicate to others, about meeting places without letting the authorities know what was going on. They say during the depression that hobos had a similar symbol language, and would put symbols on mail box or fence posts about the quality of reception they got asking for a meal at the back door of each farmer's house, to let other travelers know whether to approach, not to bother, or run. Probably this is all a coincidence, but you never know. Your item looks ancient to me. Keep researching and you may find out it is something significant. Report this Post to the Staff
spru Bedrock of the Community United States 12477 Posts	Posted 01/25/2017 11:31 pm Thanks for the info everyone. Just learning about the Widow's Mite is a huge help. I know the story but I guess never heard or forgot the term. This one, however, is much larger and thicker than an original lepton, has no reverse and is not bronze. It does look crudely made, but that doesn't mean it's ancient. I kind of like the idea that it may have been made to be used as a "safe" token. Or, it may be purely symbolic and made to sell in a gift shop. I'll keep digging. In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020 In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020 In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024 Report this Post to the Staff
Tryna Pillar of the Community United States 937 Posts	Posted 01/26/2017 11:58 am 23mm is too large for a Widow's mite that is 2.3 cm which is nearly an inch (2.54mm). This may be a modern recreation of some sort. Some true widow's mites https://www.moderncoinmart.com/juda...-NGC-xf.html Report this Post to the Staff
spru Bedrock of the Community United States 12477 Posts	Posted 01/26/2017 10:59 pm I found a couple things of interest. The symbol is called the Sun of Vergina (also Macedonian Sun and Argead Star): Quote: A distinct eight, twelve, or sixteen rayed figure, Called the sun of Vergina. It is so named for a stunning example found on a larnax (coffin) in the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great and a notable member of the Argead Dynasty. The motif itself is ubiquitous in Greek and Macedonian art. It is most likely a solar symbol, being found in temple art depicting the sun God Helios. Other notable examples of the motif have been found at Eleusis and at the Temple of Nemesis. Since the discovery of the Tomb in Vergina, the sun emblem has made its way onto a number of Greek and Macedonian coins, flags, and other objects as a symbol of cultural identity. An example on an ancient coin from Crete: I also found what is labeled as a medieval token that basically matches design, material, diameter and thickness. It weighs a good amount less than mine (they say lead alloy, so I guess something like pewter while mine looks like straight lead but maybe an alloy to harden it) and the "Sun" is a little different: https://finds.org.uk/database/artef...rd/id/246120 I think I have some answers now, but I really can't tell if this is a modern copy or actually is medieval. In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020 In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020 In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024 Report this Post to the Staff
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