Accession No
1922.866 B
Description
Shadwell forgery, commonly known as a 'Billy and Charley', of a metal badge or medallion made of copper alloy. Circular in profile with broadly triangular projection at the top, likely used for hanging; flat with decoration in relief; profile of a person wearing a helmet on one side surrounded by text; shield with head in the centre and two swords on the other side surrounded by text; date of '1001' above the shield. Mould-made.
Place
Europe; British Isles; England; London; Tower Hamlets
Period
Medieval Post Medieval 19th Century
Source
Cole Ambrose Collection [donor]
Department
Arch
Reference Numbers
1922.866 B
Cultural Affliation
Material
Metal; Copper Alloy
Local Term
Measurements
105mm
Events
Context (Related Documents)
The contents list for the box in which this object was found stored in 2025 states that it contains a 'Collection of Fakes and Forgeries'.
Event Date
Author: Nora J. Klages-Miller
Description (Physical description)
Original description for 1922.866 A-B: 'Two false antiquities. A of lead, B of bronze. Of type known as Billys and Charlies'
Event Date
Author: maa
Context (Related Documents)
See 'Report on Collections Research and Cataloguing Project on Post Medieval 'To Be Disposed Of' Material' by David Kay in the archive (Doc.474) for background information.
Event Date 2019
Author: maa
Description (Physical description)
Shadwell forgery, commonly known as a 'Billy and Charley', of a metal badge or medallion made of copper alloy. Circular in profile with broadly triangular projection at the top, likely used for hanging; flat with decoration in relief; profile of a person wearing a helmet on one side surrounded by text; shield with head in the centre and two swords on the other side surrounded by text; date of '1001' above the shield. Mould-made.
Event Date 4/2/2025
Author: Nora J. Klages-Miller
FM:324039
Images (Click to view full size):
