English: Lead alloy medal. A double-sided medal of religious type, as kindly noted by the finder. One side bears the sacred monogram IHC with a horizontal stroke above it, standing for Jesus Christ. The last letter might alternatively be an S, in which case the reading would be IHS, to be read as Jesus, or, with deliberate ambiguity, as an abbreviated form of the formula Iesus Salvator Hominum [Jesus Savior of Mankind]. The monogram is framed by relief triangles forming a continuous series - a three-sided figure recalling the Holy Trinity. A rim limits this outer circle. The reverse bears an image of a queen holding an orb in her right hand and a sceptre with a cross at its end in her left. A full gown is indicated by slanting ribs converging on her waist. Above this, the upper body and a face framed by hair appear foreshortened, and with scant discernible detail. This is a representation of Mary as Queen of Heaven. A tall crown is set above her adorned with pellets and she stands on a thin rope-like strand more clearly apparent to the left [as viewed], though with a kinked continuation to the right. The strand is the Serpent, representing the Devil in the Book of Genesis, sentenced to eternal enmity with Eve, mother of mankind, striking at her heel and being crushed underfoot in reprisal. There may also be a reference to the woman in the Book of the Apocalypse, also identified with Mary, standing on a crescent moon and crowned by stars. A U-shaped tab at the top may be intended as a suspension loop. Layering at its edge might suggest that the object was formed by the joining of two separate discs, possibly hammered or clamped together. However, as the object now remains, it is uncertain how it might have been attached or worn; possibly it would be kept in a purse or container as a token of private devotion. The Marian emphasis would make a pre-Reformation date most likely, though the short-lived revival of Catholic observance under Queen Mary could supply a transient later context consistent with what is discernible of costume detail. The surface is darkened, possibly by treatment with oil. Suggested date: Late Medieval, 1450-1550.

Height: 31.7mm, Thickness: 1mm, Weight: 6.91gms