This “Jeton” is a counter used for arithmetical calculation, either on counting boards or simply by piling them together. This one has been marked to appear like an official coin, with the traditional fleur-de-lys and cross together with “text” around the rim. However, in this case the text is nonsense, showing that appearance of a coin-like face was merely decorative imparting to the jeton at best some of the mystique of a coin.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme database carries the following record for this object: “Complete struck or hammered copper alloy Jetton of late Medieval to early post Medieval date. The jetton is a later French issue with a nonsensical legend on both faces. The obverse shows 4 fleur-de-lys in a lozenge within a quatrelobe. The reverse shows an equal armed cross with a fleur-de-lys in each angle. Dated c.1480–1520.”1
1 http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/469470 “Portable Antiquities Scheme”, viewed 4 Aug 2012 (↑)
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