British Historical Medals
This lot is not illustrated.
Lot 1505 Session 6 (9:30am Wednesday 1st August) British Historical Medals
Estimate $150
Bid at live.noble.com.au
BILLY AND CHARLEY 'MEDALLION' DATED 1012, with elaborate loop, in brass (58 x 83mm), obverse, with facing bust of a king and meaningless legends, reverse with two medieval knights and meaningless legends; another smaller in brass, (44 x 72mm), dated 1011, obverse, with seated king and meaningless legends, reverse with three figures and meaningless legends. Very fine. (2)
Billy and Charley were illiterate forgers operating in London in the 1850s. They produced cast medallions and other items in lead and brass, many with impossible designs including Arabic dates long before such dates were in use. For some time these items created great confusion and debate among archaeologists and collectors before being exposed as fantasies.
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Lot 1503
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Lot 1505 This lot
BILLY AND CHARLEY 'MEDALLION' DATED 1012, with elaborate loop, in brass (58 x 83mm), obverse, ...
Estimate $150
Lot 1506
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Lot 1507
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