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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mumsnet Sleuths wanted- what is this I found in my garden?

47 replies

speakout · 16/04/2022 15:13

Shamelessly posting this in AIBU for traffic.
I found this coin in my garden while planting. It looks like a coin but may be a token of some sorts- It is around 2-3 cm in diameter and metal. An inscription on one side - an alphabet I am not familiar with and a head engraved on the other. I don't imagine it is valuable, but I am very curious!!

Mumsnet Sleuths wanted- what is this I found in my garden?
Mumsnet Sleuths wanted- what is this I found in my garden?
OP posts:
DaughterOfEvening · 16/04/2022 15:19

It’s a Jewish war shekel.

LemonViolet · 16/04/2022 15:23

That’s Hebrew

speakout · 16/04/2022 15:23

DaughterOfEvening Thankyou- although I am not exactly what that means. Is is a token Or currency? How old could it be?

OP posts:
speakout · 16/04/2022 15:23

LemonViolet thanks.

OP posts:
fallfallfall · 16/04/2022 15:29

Odd that the image appears to resemble depictions of Jesus. The symmetry of the coin makes it look accurately cut

DaughterOfEvening · 16/04/2022 15:30

Yes it’s currency. It may be worth a few quid as indicated by the eBay link provided by the other poster on this thread. I’ve seen them in museums. Do you have a local history society who can help? Smile

speakout · 16/04/2022 15:34

Oh wow- how exciting!!

I live on land neighbouring an Abbey that dates back to the 11th Century, my property is built on land once owned by the Abbey, which is just a few hundred metres away.

OP posts:
speakout · 16/04/2022 15:34

Could it be a copy or replica I wonder?

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SenoraMiasma · 16/04/2022 15:35

Are you in the U.K., OP?

speakout · 16/04/2022 15:37

SenoraMiasma yes- near Edinburgh.

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Etinoxaurus · 16/04/2022 15:47

How exciting. I’d never heard of these- it’s rather special. Did you clean it thoroughly? It looks rather ‘sharp’ to be old- perhaps a replica?

elbea · 16/04/2022 15:48

If you find two or more coins they have to be reported to the local coroner as treasure!

speakout · 16/04/2022 15:53

Etinoxaurus to be fair I did edit the picture a little, and increased the clarity to make the markings clearer.
elbea just one coin so far!! I may get a metal detector!!

OP posts:
SenoraMiasma · 16/04/2022 16:04

Why would a Hebrew coin be in Scotland, I wonder?

Very interesting!

speakout · 16/04/2022 16:13

SenoraMiasma the link posted suggested it is Italian.
The Abbey near me was an important cistercian abbey, wealthy monks produced salt in a nearby seaside town and were some of the the first to commercially produce coal in the UK. They plundered a shipwrecked fleet of Spanish Armade ships in 1580 - many artifacts are still in the Abbey.
So trade links, including overseas were strong over the centuries. So not surprising that something from Italy found its way here.

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 16/04/2022 16:13

Lovely find and very Eastery!

mythological · 16/04/2022 16:14

Oh this is exciting! Smile

speakout · 16/04/2022 16:15

I will find a coin shop and perhaps take it in for evaluation.

OP posts:
NeedAnOffSwitch · 16/04/2022 16:18

treasuretrovescotland.co.uk/information/information-for-finders/

My husband is a detectorist and something like this he would need to report to Treasure Trove Scotland.

speakout · 16/04/2022 16:21

NeedAnOffSwitch oh wow- even if I find it on my own property?

OP posts:
Blogblogblogblog · 16/04/2022 17:12

Please update us when you find out if it’s authentic. Very exciting and, like a pp said, very apt to find it Easter weekend.

ShaneTwane · 16/04/2022 17:16

How exciting! Definitely get an expert to check its authenticity and try find more!

PollyPutTheKettleOnKettleOn · 16/04/2022 17:17

Following for exciting updates! Amazing find, op!

Maternitynamechange · 16/04/2022 17:18

Very cool!