✅ SOLVED 1700s homestead find lead/pewter/zinc coin/religious medal whatzit....

[Jaichim24]

1700's homestead find lead/pewter/zinc coin/religious medal whatzit....

I found this item from a homestead site that dates back to 1715. I have found many period pieces, 1800's pieces, and even a 1600's spoon at this site. So the date range of relics is vast.

On my way from the front yard (1780's colonial to the side yard of the 1715 cape I found a crumbly piece of lead/pewter/zinc that I nearly threw in my trash pouch. However, one side of it was rounded enough that I thought, hrmm perhaps something worth taking a closer look at. As luck would have it, when I ran some water over the item when I got back home, on one side a figure appeared and on the other some letters/numbers. A very strange item that I have not had any luck finding out what it was.

At first I thought it may be a religious medal (and it still may be) however looking at it, it almost seems like it may have been some sort of coin, or a counterfeit coin? It also has the appearance of being produced like I would envision a hammered coin. There is the circular strike that created the details, and then the rough outside edge, or so it appears to me. It could just be me seeing things b/c I've stared at it so long.

The front figure makes me think of a religious medal, however the back with the calligraphy style letters is not anything I have ever seen on a religious medal. I do not know if it reads S I I I or I I I S.

I took a ton of pictures for reference, I hope one of you out there knows what it is!

Any help in ID'ing it would be greatly appreciated.

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

I believe the letters are "I H S" which is a Latin abbreviation for "In Jesus' Name" (the Latin and Greek alphabets having no "J")

This monogram consists of the Greek letters iota, eta, and sigma, the first three letters of the name Iesous (Greek for Jesus), the letters of which are also used to spell out the Latin phrase “Iesous Hominem Salvator,” “Jesus, savior of man.” It relates to the story of Constantine, whose vision of the Chi-Rho was recorded by Church Father Eusebius. In the vision, Constantine was reported to have heard a voice proclaim, “In this symbol, thou shalt conquer.” Therefore, the IHS has also stood for “In Hoc Signo,” in this sign.

IHS Monogram

So, possibly, you had something like this with the "IHS" on the reverse.:

 

[Bramblefind]

I believe the letters are "I H S" which is a Latin abbreviation for "In Jesus' Name" (the Latin and Greek alphabets having no "J")

I agree I was just looking for a match and here is one similar-

 

[Jaichim24]

Wow you guys totally nailed it!!!! Now that I know it is a religious medal, I think the word M A R Y is on the front to the left of the figure.

So I know what it is, I just wonder how old it is to be made out of this material? During the 1800's they pretty much had the whole brass/silver plated thing down fairly well. Could this predate the 1800's?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I believe they started around 1830 after a nun named "Catherine Laboure" (later Saint) had a vision to "go forth and commercialize" with what became the "Miraculous Medal".

Through the years there are more variations than you can shake a crucifix at, and struck/cast in all kinds of metal - from gold to zinc.

Could what you have be older? I would say probably not in that form. But I'm no expert.

 

[cw0909]

nice collection of finds for a single site
what is the screen looking thing next to the buckle

 

[coachbedford]

awesome find-- I believe the makeup of the coin (lead or pewter) must put it at LEAST pre-1840, and I would be more inclined to think 1700's.

 

[Patriot Relics]

Nice assortment of finds- what is the large brass item with the rounded top? Found one just like it and always wondered what it was-

 

[Jaichim24]

nice collection of finds for a single site
what is the screen looking thing next to the buckle

I believe it is a top to oil lantern. The oval slot is where the wick would come through.

 

[Jaichim24]

Nice assortment of finds- what is the large brass item with the rounded top? Found one just like it and always wondered what it was-

At first glance it looks like a horse harness hame ball, Most I have found look like the attached picture, with one end longer than the other. The one in my post is actually smaller and skinnier than any I have found before.

I am wondering if it is some sort of fancy ox knob for a rea

 

[cw0909]

I believe it is a top to oil lantern. The oval slot is where the wick would come through.

thanks,ive never found any lamp/lantern parts, looked around
this looks close to your burner seller says 1870s
Vintage OIL Lamp Parts 4 Asst&apos Brass Burners LOW Profiles Chimney Clips C 1870 | eBay

 

[Jaichim24]

Thanks all for your feedback, I know what it is and about how old it is.