A ship with 3 flags!

[basecamp]

As a new(ish) member I am always mindful not to abuse this forum with constant questions such as 'whats this coin?' etc. I do my best to research coins prior to asking what I know to many of you will be straight forward or obvious questions but with this one however I am well and truly stuck. It appears to be a hammered copper coin 26 mm in diameter.

On one side is a ship with 3 flags and on the other a diamond within a diamond containing 4 fleurs. There is a crown at the top (above the ships mast) which could be a mint mark. The inscription on both sides is very clear and I could probably work out myself what it actually says if only I new latin (if indeed it is latin!).

Whats the best reference book/web site that would help me decipher this ancient code?

my bestest guess s far is that its and Edward IV or Edward V coin.

hope this picture link works

http://aycu18.webshots.com/image/24337/200...53205087_rs.jpg

[scottishmoney]

Just posting the image so I can hork up everybodies bandwidth

Definitely not an English coin, perhaps a token?

[basecamp]

Thanks once again Scottishmoney

Would that be a 'British' token? and if not and it is a foreign coin is the 'crown' significant?

[Peter]

I would suggest it is a Jetton (quite crude in manufacture)

[scottishmoney]

Thanks once again Scottishmoney

Would that be a 'British' token? and if not and it is a foreign coin is the 'crown' significant?

Not British, but English namely Angevin era token. The fun part of these pieces is you see them from time to time for sale and not much is known about them. A few types are more common and seem to have originated in what is now Germany, but others originated in the Low Countries or France. I suggest the Angevin link because of the Fleur De Lis device on the reverse. This piece is most likely 14th-early 15th century in time frame.

The enigma of them is that many times they have seemingly meaningless legends which may have meant something contemporarily but are indecipherable now. What is perplexing is the Fleur De Lis and the ship on the obverse which suggests a contemporary Noble gold coin.

Because these are found from time to time, but so little is known about them they really do not command much interest or price. Which is unfortunate, because in my estimation they are most fascinating pieces.

As a new(ish) member I am always mindful not to abuse this forum with constant questions such as 'whats this coin?'

BTW feel free to post these inquiries at will, it makes the forum interesting.

[basecamp]

I would suggest it is a Jetton (quite crude in manufacture)

Peter what makes you think its a Jetton?

Scottishmoney if it is an Angevin era token what 'language' would be used on the inscription as I think I have a good chance to break the code (although quite clear on the picture in sunlight it is very clear).

Are you suggesting the coin could be gold?

Edited August 14, 2007 by basecamp

[scottishmoney]

Well the language would have to be Latin, but the lettering could be abbreviations including down to one character for a word. The piece is not gold, but bronze.

[basecamp]

Thanks........I knew it was bronze all along

So whats the best reference guide available for lettering & abbreviations from this period?

[Hussulo]

"As a new(ish) member I am always mindful not to abuse this forum with constant questions such as 'whats this coin?' etc."

Never be scared to ask! There are a lot of members that are only to keen to help.

Could it be a French jeton/coin perhapse?

[basecamp]

By scrolling through your replies and varied suggestions aimed at identifying the coin so far, its clear that you all have a good feel for it's type and where this coin originates but cannot as yet quite put your finger on it.

Clearly its got you all thinking and I appreciate the time you are taking to post.

[Geordie582]

for an expaination of Jettons and further reading try

http://www.mernick.co.uk/jetton/index.htm

Entering 'Jetton' in Google will give you many sites to look at!

Edited August 14, 2007 by Geordie582

[basecamp]

Google it - of course!

Thanks it does indeed appear to be a jetton although in a much poorer condition there is a similar coin on the following web page;

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/jettons.htm

Scroll down the page (sixth set of coins down on right hand side), its titled;

'1490- 1550 'Ship -penny' Jetton anonymous issue'

So out of all the earlier suggestions who was most accurate?

[basecamp]

Just thought I would share my latest coin with you all, as you can see its another Jetton, very similar to the ship penny Jetton pictured above. Its a pity it is so worn but the quality of detail in the remaining part of the coin is quite interesting - I suppose finding a coin thats around 600 years old is a bonus whatever the conditions!

Scottish Money had a fair crack and identified a French connection last time - any offers this time?

[TomGoodheart]

Probably a jeton of Hans Krauwinkel, Nuremberg.