Accession No
TEMP.03422
Description
Shadwell forgery (commonly known as a 'Billy and Charley') of a badge or medallion made from lead or lead alloy. Disc-shaped with decoration in relief. One face shows the helmeted head of a knight in profile, with his visor raised. To either side are arranged the numbers from the date '1021', and he is surrounded by an unintelligible inscription. The other face depicts an animal, likely a female wolf, with a sword above and a radiate motif beneath. Hanging loop above disc is of approximately rectangular form with two rounded protrusions at its base. Mould-made. Small perforation near border; some yellowish accretions.
Place
Europe; British Isles; England; London; Tower Hamlets
Period
Medieval Post Medieval 19th Century
Source
Department
Arch
Reference Numbers
TEMP.03422
Cultural Affliation
Material
Metal; Lead; ?Lead Alloy
Local Term
Measurements
97mm
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 badge or medallion made from lead or lead alloy. Disc-shaped with decoration in relief. One face shows the helmeted head of a knight in profile, with his visor raised. To either side are arranged the numbers from the date '1021', and he is surrounded by an unintelligible inscription. The other face depicts an animal, likely a female wolf, with a sword above and a radiate motif beneath. Hanging loop above disc is of approximately rectangular form with two rounded protrusions at its base. Mould-made. Small perforation near border; some yellowish accretions.
Event Date 10/2/2025
Author: Sophie Wardle
FM:324378
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