Interesting find

Silver_Seeker · Jun 5, 2019

I dug this in a curb strip in a very old neighborhood yesterday. And by very old, I mean Rhode Island very old, mid 17th century.

Any thoughts?

Are those Maltese crosses across the bottom?

Is that heraldry on the top?

The back is smooth.

There are two small bumps on the top that do not appear to be where something was broken off but certainly could be.

I believe it's copper.

This one has got me very curious. :?:

pballwiz · Jun 5, 2019

No idea but it looks old!! :wow:

Cherry Picker · Jun 5, 2019

Does look 1600's-1700's but no idea what it is sorry. Just going by the design.

Azmodeus · Jun 5, 2019

Watch fob. Probably fraternal. If you tumble it there may be some writing or inscription on the back if you're lucky.

FreeBirdTim · Jun 5, 2019

Could be a saddle shield. Many of them were decorated with a shield or a crest design.

Here's a couple of photos of one I found. I think mine is brass or a copper alloy.

bodkin · Jun 8, 2019

Interesting find...... If it helps, you have three crosses potent and perhaps an eagle above them? The crosses could possibly denote cadency..... I can't find anything heraldic that is similar.

Wom 27 · Jun 8, 2019

I think You have a “tip protector “ for a (leather) strap (belt) . Old. Maybe very old.

Knottyoak · Jun 9, 2019

I believe the image at the top represents a Phoenix, due to the tuft of feathers on the back of its head.

Knottyoak · Jun 30, 2019

I keep coming back to look at this thing, it's fascinating. I did a little snooping, can't ID the thing, but found a little info on crosses used in heraldry. The three crosses are each a "cross crosslet" or a "cross bottony", according to the link.

http://www.americancollegeofheraldry.org/cross.htm

Beyond that, all I have is speculation. The arrangement of the crosses, with the center one more prominent, suggests Calvary and the crucifixion to me.

I've convinced myself the bird at top is the rising Phoenix, which suggests resurrection.

I'm guessing the thing is a religion oriented heraldic emblem, of a family, organization, or maybe of an individual.

I hope someone can positively ID it someday, I'd love to know what or who it belongs to.

dickn52 · Jul 1, 2019

To me, you have a heraldic design. Gryph over chevron and 3 crosses.

Klyeoman1203 · Jul 28, 2019

I am going batty! I just saw this find this past week on two YouTube videos, but can't remember which ones!!!
the users i watch are Not Thursday (also stealth diggers), Green Mountain Metal Detecting (all three specialize in colonial era), Aquachigger (special in civil war), and Finding America. It HAD to be on one of theirs. I bet if you went to the contact pages for them they could tell you. Best wishes!

Interesting find

Silver_Seeker

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pballwiz

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Cherry Picker

Azmodeus

Diggin In Illinois

FreeBirdTim

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bodkin

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Wom 27

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Knottyoak

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Knottyoak

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dickn52

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Klyeoman1203

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