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Message:: [QUOTE="ARguy, post: 833690, member: 16047"]CheetahCats, My 14-year-old has a friend whose dad holds PhD in medieval history.  I showed him the piece a few weeks ago.  He also commented that it might be Peter or Paul. He agreed to show photos of it to a colleague who specializes in iconography, but I've not heard back.  I had hoped that that exercise would at least help narrow the date. Also, it actually was found at “an old port site at Blythbourgh in Suffolk," which is on the side of England that faces AWAY from Ireland. So, I agree that it may not be Irish and may not depict St Patrick.  On the other hand, the fact that it was found at a port site prevents me from ruling out a non-local origin. The only reverse features that I can be certain about are the "L" and the ornaments at the bottom.  The "F" is speculative at best.  The "Limerick Farthing" idea is not mine, but the seller's.  The area between L and "F" may be raised, but I don't think I can rule out the idea that striking the obverse caused the reverse to be convex.  There does appear to be something at the top center, but I can't tell what it is.  The tracing represents my best guess about it's shape.   My sense is that finding a picture of one in better condition is more likely to reveal its secrets than discerning what's on this piece.  It's pretty far gone and I don't think that the reverse was well struck.  I plan to contact the curator at the Irish Museum to introduce myself and see if he has made any progress.  I have a letter to the original owner from him. You have to agree that it's at least interesting. Thanks again.[/QUOTE]

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