Gibraltar Finds

[Shaca1492]

Hi All,

I'm new to the site. These items were found in Gibraltar (Yes the Famous Rock- British Territory on the Southernmost tip of Spain)

Gibraltar has been ruled by the British, Spanish and Arabs plus inhabited by Pirates, Romans and Phoenicians so there is a diverse range of findings.



I have some references

a. Rare Sword pendant – can’t find it anywhere on the net

b. Arabic Silver Square Coin- I have some info on this:- ISLAMIC, NORTH AFRICA, MUWAHHIDS (ALMOHADS), C. 12TH-13TH CENTURY, SQUARE AR DIRHAM, SABTA (CEUTA).
Muwahhids (Almohads), anonymous, c. AH 550's-658/ AD 1160's-1269+, square AR dirham (15mm, 1.45gm, 12h), Sabta mint (modern Ceuta, Spain), no date. O: la ilah illa Allah / al-amr kolluhu li-'llah / la quwat illa billah ("There is no god but Allah. All power belongs to Allah. There is no strength except in Allah"), mint name lower left. R: Allah rabbuna / Muhammad rassuluna / al-Mahdi imamuna ("Allah is our Lord. Muhammad is our Prophet. The Mahdi is our imam"). Hohertz 20; Album 496. Extremely Fine, bold mint name.
The Muwahhidun lit. "those who affirm God's unity") or Almohads were a Berber dynasty at the head of a mass reformist movement founded by Ibn Tumart who proclaimed himself the Mahdi or Promised Charismatic Leader. Under 'Abd al-Mu'min and a succession of other "caliphs", a powerful Almohad kingdom was created beginning in Morocco and soon encompassing all of Muslim Spain

c. Mini Thimble

d. Barbary Pirate Coin

e. Full Collection

f. Shoe/Shoulder plate (Damaged)

g. Collection of Musket Balls & Bullets

h. Brooch / Button :- Local Antiques dealer stated it was an 200-300 Year Old Iraqi Button. Local Muslims have said it’s not from North Africa/Morocco??!!

Any Info / Assistance will be most welcome.

Thanks

 

[johnnyi]

I think I recognize the 1812 British shako plate fragment which is exciting, as is the thimble. The 'dagger" ornament looks newer to me, but I know nothing about Arab artifacts. Very wonderful finds.

http://www.militaryheritage.com/images/1800plte.jpg

 

[Tony in SC]

Wow! Great finds. Tony

 

[Shaca1492]

Thanks



And this one? Would anyone know what this is? 1860 Apparently!!

 

[coachbedford]

very cool stuff-- if you haven't guessed already, the Spanish copper coin (I think that is the one you refer to as Barbary Pirate Coin) is a counterstamped Spanish 4 or 8 maravedi dating roughly 1598 to 1665

 

[CRUSADER]

I think I recognize the 1812 British shako plate fragment which is exciting, as is the thimble. The 'dagger" ornament looks newer to me, but I know nothing about Arab artifacts. Very wonderful finds.

http://www.militaryheritage.com/images/1800plte.jpg

Agreed, the dagger looks 20th C.

 

[Mackaydon]

These eyes see 16 then either 4 or a 1 on the reverse of the counterstamp. So 164X or 161X is my date guess.
Check the thimble for marks,letters,words,etc.; it may be identifiable.
Great saves--each and all of them.
Don.....

 

[Shaca1492]

Cheers Guys. Think it was well worth joining the site for your responses.

Thanks Steve

 

[Builds.The.Fire]

The shako plate fragment is of a type used between 1800-1812. In 1812, they introduced the "Belgic" type shako, which was intended to replace the earlier shako. However, some units still had this early type as late as Waterloo in 1815. Sometimes you can get lucky and find ones with regimental distinctions, or other unique features. Otherwise, they're just a general issue item that virtually all units wore in the early part of the 19th century, the points of difference were in the colour of the shako plume, and shoulder tufts.

Fun fact: The British never actually called these hats "shakos" during the period, it's a post-Napoleonic Wars term. They just called them "caps".