Any Ideas how old this key is?

[Minelab Matt]

Hi.

Was out for a few hours with my Equinox, here in the UK on a local farm permission....dug this bid heavy key up in the middle of a field.

It was a deep one, prob 10"+ easily.

Just wondering if anyone would know how old it is and what it would have been used to open?

Weird how the teeth of the key (thats what i cam 'em lol) are facing forward.

Any ideas?

much appreciated

Matt

 

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[Kray Gelder]

Medieval.

 

[HuntinDog]

It's the key to the Mexico City mint... LOL

I don't know, but it's a cool key
Congrats

 

[A2coins]

Wow that thing looks very old that's cool and in good shape try googling old keys

 

[Tony in SC]

Very old!!!

 

[duggap]

To the Tower of London.

 

[Minelab Matt]

Thanks guys....the fact that it's worth absolutely nothing = means nothing to me.

The fct that I'm holding something that's possibly hundreds of years old absolutely fascinates me!

Lot's of things go through my head....why was it in middle of a field? Who was the last person to hold it? Who were they, what did they do....what did it unlock....I love it....thanks guys.

The quick and helpful responses show why IMHO this is THE best treasure forum on the Internet, bar none!

Matt

 

[HuntinDog]

Matt
I wouldn't say it's worthless, it does have value... although not a lot.
The best and most value is to you and the memories of the find.

It's a very cool key... now if you can just find the lock...

 

[IowaRelic]

That’s a great relic. Obviously very old and worth the time to research.

 

[ticndig]

looks like a vintage jail key to me

 

[IowaRelic]

looks like a vintage jail key to me

Yeah I was thinking old shackles.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

That looks to be a key from a pretty large lock like you'd find in a door. Is there any record of the field having a substantial building like a manor house or church on it or close by? Any pottery or building rubble nearby?

 

[CRUSADER]

I've not seen a key quite like it, very interesting. I'm struggling to date it, as I've seen no parallel's, but it must be at least 200 years old but I'm guessing post-medieval. Therefore, circa 1600-1800. I'm thinking this went to a large chest used to keep valuables in, most of the good ones were imported from Germany.

 

[Plug N Play]

Another possibility.

 

[bradyboy]

odd key
teeth facing forward and most of all, why the hole in the center
brady

 

[bradyboy]

maybe start with a hollow barrel / furniture key
brady

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Cool relic...probably 250+ years old!