Could it be that old?

[Silver Surfer]

I hunted a local lake late last week, and found this religious medallion... I didnt post it when I found it because it was so crusted and black I couldnt even tell what it was... Had obviously been in the black mud for a long time. It was about 12" down.. I soaked it in vinegar for a couple days, lightly brushing it and re-soaking it several times. Finally I could make out detail. It says "Sterling" on the back, and the front is Mother Mary I believe... Then, at the bottom, I could see a what looked like a date. I had to clean it some more, and got it about as good as it's going to get. Under a loop, it looks like "18*2"... Cant make out the 3rd number... Could it be that old?
If I am not mistaken, being stamped "Sterling" instead of .925 means it is old, but how old?
Any thoughts appreciated...

 

[mastereagle22]

I have found two of these medals, neither are stamped as silver. My understanding after talking with a local priest was that the date was 1830 when this particular style of medal was first made. He told me that all of the medals like this from the first one on have that date stamped on it. I did a lot of research on it but never could really prove this theory. Still it is a great find.

 

[texjim]

I found one this year and gave it to my wife. I'm going to have to check it for a date I never took notice... Nice