Posted 02/23/2011 5:26 pm
In 1348, Westerners had not yet learned the concept of writing numbers down using "Arabic" symbols like 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. - they were still using Roman numerals. "Arabic" numbers are not seen on coins until the mid-1400s. So, whatever this piece is, it can't actually be a "coin" and it can't actually be from 1348. The "3-D effect" we're seeing on both sides of this item suggests an origin no earlier than the 1700s, but more likely 1900s.
The double-tailed lion in the shield looks Bohemian (from what is now known as the Czech Republic). Charles IV became king of Bohemia in 1347 and is still revered in that country - the Charles Bridge in Prague is named after him - so I suspect he is the "Karolus" named on this piece.
The double-tailed lion in the shield looks Bohemian (from what is now known as the Czech Republic). Charles IV became king of Bohemia in 1347 and is still revered in that country - the Charles Bridge in Prague is named after him - so I suspect he is the "Karolus" named on this piece.
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
