18th Century Bullion Weight with Lion Mark

[mangum]

Hello all! I got out yesterday with a couple buddies to do some relic hunting. Man, it was HOT! I had to take frequent breaks as we were hunting in the open. The spot we hit first had been hunted many times. The pickings were slim but I did manage to pull one very neat relic. After doing some research (and with some help from a very smart friend) I figured out that this is a 4 penny weight bullion weight (circa 1770s). This would've been used to weigh gold dust, spices, drugs etc. The 4 dots let me know its a 4 penny weight. I assume this is an English piece because of the lion. I found one almost identical on the Colchester site. If anyone can give me any insight on the significance if the lion mark I'd love to know more. I also found a few odds & ends & a broken Native American artifact. We searched a creek after lunch & didn't have any luck. It was tough hunting in the heat, I'm ready for some cooler weather! Thanks for looking & HH!

 

[CRUSADER]

Yes, English & a 4 Penny Weight - Bullion. Nice piece

 

[ivan salis]

correct ID

 

[Ahab8]

Oh wow man that is such a cool and unusual find! I love that piece. AWESOME bro

 

[Greylock]

That's a killer find. Would love to add one to my collection. Congrats

 

[Vino]

Thats awsome wait...I have been wanting one of them...
Great save
George

 

[terpfan]

Terrific find as well as ID work. The expertise on this site is second to none.

 

[dirtlooter]

pretty darn cool stuff, no telling what all that was used for

 

[mangum]

Yes, English & a 4 Penny Weight - Bullion. Nice piece

thanks Cru, I was hoping you'd chime in!

 

[mangum]

Oh wow man that is such a cool and unusual find! I love that piece. AWESOME bro

I always like adding something new to the collection, more interesting than a flat button!

 

[mangum]

This is a great resource site, especially to us Americans who love searching colonial sites. This has helped me ID several items.

[/QUhttp://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/C/coinweights.htmOTE]

 

[Carolina Tom]

Nice find Josh. Congrats.

 

[BuckleBoy]

That's a great find that anyone would be pleased to have in their collection.

 

[CRUSADER]

thanks Cru, I was hoping you'd chime in!

Forgot to say the 'Lion' is an unoffical countermark, the official verification mark was a Crown. But there are far more unoffical ones than offical.

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Steve in PA]

Neat relic, congrats on that recovery!

 

[catherine1]

Great save/find!!

 

[MichiganMan]

Very cool.

 

[goldnugget]

Magnum, I'll trade you one of my C/W Bullets for it. I'll be Posting some of my Finds today, I got to Detect 13 Hours before my Hip Surgery. Should be at the meeting for September if I can get a Ride-Your spot is still producing and I got the Club Bulletin yesterday. Keep Digging, You always Find something Nice--Goldnugget

 

[John Winter]

Forgot to say the 'Lion' is an unoffical countermark, the official verification mark was a Crown. But there are far more unoffical ones than offical.

That's right and helps us to date the weight to at least the 17th century when the unofficial lion was first used by goldsmiths. Sometimes a ewer was used as a mark. I find it strange that one should be found in the States. Interesting find.