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Description: | Complete Medieval cast copper alloy rotary casket key (1250-1400 AD). This rotary key has a circular bow, a short shank and a simple bit. Recessed in slightly from the terminal of the shank is the projecting bit. The symmetrical bit has a small channel parallel to the shank with a cleft on each along side, before projecting out into a ward on each side. Keys of this type are likely to have a hollow shank, so the same is probably true of this example, although it is not clear from the photograph or the find record. The key has a heavily concreted surface. It measures 35.9mm long, 13.2mm wide and 4.8mm thick. The key weighs 4.58 grams.Egan (1998) illustrates a number of similar diminutive keys, p.112 refs. 294-301, and assigns a late 12th century - 14th century date range.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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