POST MEDIEVAL PENDANT

1660

A silver penny of King Charles II's first coinage, 1660-1662 (reference: North 2775). It will therefore be of the traditional sterling standard, 92.5% fine metal. Single coins are not normally eligible for consideration as Treasure, but coins converted into jewellery can be so considered. This coin has been pierced, so it has potentially been turned into a jewellery item, as a pendant of some type. However, the coin is not particularly well-preserved; the piercing appears to be relatively crudely done and it is quite randomly placed and does not enable either the royal portrait on the front or British coat of arms on the back to be displayed upright. Even if it had been better done, the presence of a piercing on its own might not automatically place the object into the category of jewellery - pierced coins could still return to currency, as coin hoards demonstrate. It is my opinion, therefore, that, while it is not completely impossible that this coin had a pendant or decorative role, the probabilities are that it was not intended to function as an item of jewellery. Therefore, I do not think that it fulfils the criteria of Treasure, according to the terms of the Act. Dr Barrie J. Cook