"Silver" object for ID please...

[HolzHammer]

Evening all,
I found this yesterday in the Hertfordshire clay - wasn't hard as it absolutely sang out... its about 35mm wide and looks to be silver or "silvered"
It also looks pressed with lots of little dimples. It is very fine, with three little holes fairly equally spaced. I thought it might be a scale ( for weighing) if you know what I mean - its that sort of shape... I haven't dared clean it so can't see any obvious decoration but there are hints it is there - there is a (double?) line which runs round roughly where the holes are...
Anyway I think its a lovely thing but have no idea about it so any knowledge gratefully accepted!
Ta in advance!
All the Best
Alexander

[Easylife]

It looks like a modified nice big silver coin to me.

[DaveP]

Looks like a balance-scale pan especially if it has 3 holes equally spaced. And as Easy says, looks to have been fashioned from another object. I think the dimples are just planishing marks. The uneven edge would fit with raising the shape from a disc as you star with a circle but don't end up with a uniform bowl edge.
If it is made from another object (coin) trying to get a date on that would be worthwhile. It looks functional but unfinished or finished to the point of function.
Also, at 35mm it's very small for a scale pan which could point to weighing something of value.

just for info https://www.sworder.co.uk/auction/lot/1 ... 58720&sd=1

[Easylife]

Maybe a Lizzy I halfcrown?

[Oxgirl]

Almost definitely a medieval scale pan like these examples https://www.dreamstime.com/bronze-medie ... e161922530

Is it silver? I suspect it’s either silver plated or a tinned base metal but you’ll need to do a clean to find out more. I love it

[HolzHammer]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful all... sometimes, as has been pointed out many times, you have to feel the thing to really get an idea and as I said at the beginning it felt like a scale thing and looks like it might be... Cath I think it might be plated... it’s very light... I’ll try and give it a gentle clean tomorrow.
Thanks again!

[Oxgirl]

There are a few on the PAS database with designs. This one has a design in the centre that is reminiscent of a jetton.
This one has two lines round the outside edge like yours. This one has circular lines too.

There are loads of examples with designs on so I doubt it is a repurposed coin. But heck very, very happy if I’m wrong

[HolzHammer]

There are a few on the PAS database with designs. This one has a design in the centre that is reminiscent of a jetton.
This one has two lines round the outside edge like yours. This one has circular lines too.

There are loads of examples with designs on so I doubt it is a repurposed coin. But heck very, very happy if I’m wrong

Thanks Cath, did you come across any silver ones?

[Oxgirl]

Thanks Cath, did you come across any silver ones?

No they are all copper/ copper alloy on PAS. These Viking ones are the only vaguely silver looking ones I’ve found https://partner.sciencenorway.no/archae ... nd/1388370

[HolzHammer]

No they are all copper/ copper alloy on PAS. These Viking ones are the only vaguely silver looking ones I’ve found https://partner.sciencenorway.no/archae ... nd/1388370

Well I found a silver brooch which could be Viking very close by.... it’s been with the flo undergoing treasure process....it’s been at least a year and a half ..... don’t get me started...

[HolzHammer]

No they are all copper/ copper alloy on PAS. These Viking ones are the only vaguely silver looking ones I’ve found https://partner.sciencenorway.no/archae ... nd/1388370

Thanks btw!

[Easylife]

Does it have lettering around the outside or is it just the lighting?

[DaveP]

In the first picture is that plating coming off the edge or just the lighting?

Don't clean it - at least not yet.

Foil test for silver?
Density test for metal type?

I'm curious to know how the PAS have dated some of their pans as both symmetrical and asymmetrical balance scales were in common use into the 20th century in this country and are still used extensively abroad in some of the more developing countries. Yours does look much older.

[HolzHammer]

Just in case you are interested in seeing the thing on video I have just upped this!
Many thanks if you do watch it!

[Oxgirl]

Enjoyed the video! Howon earth do you use that short spade though? You’ll get a bad back

Loved seeing the unearthing of the scale pan. Definitely looks more like a silvered item now. And I was even impressed by the Roman coin