Accession No
TEMP.03421
Description
Shadwell forgery (commonly known as a 'Billy and Charley') of a large badge or medallion made from lead or lead alloy. Disc-shaped with decoration in relief. One face shows the frontal head of a man with beard and long hair, surrounded by a cross motif formed from dots, leaves, and an unintelligible inscription; the other face depicts in profile the head and upper torso of a knight in mail, with a diagonal sword overlapping. He too is surrounded by leaves and unintelligible text, with an additional date of '1020' written in Arabic numerals at top. Hanging loop above disc is in the form of a bisected arch. Mould-made, with apparent casting defect on one face. Slightly bent in places.
Place
Europe; British Isles; England; London; Tower Hamlets
Period
Medieval Post Medieval 19th Century
Source
Department
Arch
Reference Numbers
TEMP.03421
Cultural Affliation
Material
Metal; Lead; ?Lead Alloy
Local Term
Measurements
119mm
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
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: Nora J. Klages-Miller
Description (Physical description)
Shadwell forgery (commonly known as a 'Billy and Charley') of a large badge or medallion made from lead or lead alloy. Disc-shaped with decoration in relief. One face shows the frontal head of a man with beard and long hair, surrounded by a cross motif formed from dots, leaves, and an unintelligible inscription; the other face depicts in profile the head and upper torso of a knight in mail, with a diagonal sword overlapping. He too is surrounded by leaves and unintelligible text, with an additional date of '1020' written in Arabic numerals at top. Hanging loop above disc is in the form of a bisected arch. Mould-made, with apparent casting defect on one face. Slightly bent in places.
Event Date 10/2/2025
Author: Sophie Wardle
FM:324356
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