Category: Wansteadium

Wansteadium reader Ruth Nation of Ingatestone Road found this object in her garden a few years ago. The question is… what is it?

She writes: “The mystery is, I suppose, that over the past 9 years or so I have shown it to virtually every visitor to my house and no-one has seen anything like it before. I knew it couldn’t be a coin as it is one-sided and it seemed too large and archaic looking to be a military medal.

“The second mystery is that I have spent countless hours online and in various museums and have not seen anything like it. The closest to it is a ‘pilgrim’s token’.

“It also seems to be mysteriously changing colour and the image that was very hard to make out is now very clear so I don’t what metal it could be made of.

“The last, tongue in cheek and most fun mystery is that no matter how many times I blow the image of it up, look at it with a magnifying glass or take rubbings I can’t make out the writing – it seems that my mysterious find is keeping hold of its secrets!”

So, people of Wanstead, here is the challenge. What is this mysterious item? What is the picture of? What does the writing say? And above all how might it have ended up in a Wanstead back garden? Suggestions welcome below…

Update: Carole Edrich writes:
I think it’s some kind of imprint or mould. Flip the image of the coin as I have in the one attached and some letters are legible. There’s an ‘-io’, possibly a ‘K’, then maybe an ‘in’ then something like ‘-iffe’ or ‘-effe’ so maybe ‘deffend’ Anyway, I’ve attached the image flipped and upped the contrast a bit so that it can be shared.


[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/#!/Redeyedvireo/status/201284003892957185″]

UPDATE, Monday 14 May:

Frances Simmons of the Simmons Gallery of Art Numismatics and Metrology based in Leytonstone writes:

Following a prompt from a Wansteadium reader, we had a look at this and reckon it’s a 17th century brass badge (something you’d wear to show loyalty or fealty) although it could be earlier. Yes, it does look like St George and the dragon but where’s his horse? More like a knight slaying a lion. Lots of stuff like this and earlier has been dug up around the Thames. We’d recommend that even though it’s just base metal, you report it, as part of the Portable Antiquities Scheme to:
Katherine Creed, Finds Liaison Officer – London
Department of Archaeological Collections and Archive
Museum of London
150 London Wall
EC2Y 5HN
Work T: +44 (0) 20 7814 5733
The Museum of London has a tremendous collection and it would be easier to read the inscription from the real item rather than a photo. Probably oxidisation has occurred now the item is out of the ground (clay preserves things nicely) which is why it’s so difficult to read and is changing colour. I’m sure the Museum will be able to help out a bit more. Very interesting! It’s amazing what turns up.

Some scenes from the Wanstead Village Dog Show, held on Monday at Christ Church.

A classic headline from Friday’s Wanstead Guardian, and a question to which the answer must be “Er… crumbs… Well I guess it’s possible… But wouldn’t South Woodford feel left out?”

Following the news that the Wanstead Comedy Night is to move to Leytonstone, Jon Fentiman – its organiser and a Wansteadium reader – writes:

As a Wanstead lover myself, (Wansteadofile, just doesn’t quite sound right) it pains me that the ‘only comedy club in the village’ has crossed the border.

Perhaps I can suggest to Wansteadians whose noses bleed when they reach the top of Hollybush Hill (location of the obelisk marking entry into Leyton- stone, just past the Bosnian car wash and petrol station) that they do as I do. It is a relatively simple exercise and I find it usually does the trick.

As you drive past the obelisk, keep your foot on the accelerator but close your eyes and keep them shut. Slowly let images of Judith’s of Wanstead enter your mind and imagine yourself wearing one of their dresses (this should give your self esteem a much needed boost)

Now imagine you are floating on the froth of a huge cup of overpriced cappuccino. Take two long slow breaths and picture the Co-op on the corner, in the High Street. Pay attention to their prices. See yourself choosing 10 items that you know you could buy cheaper in Tescos. Pay for these items with a National Trust Credit Card. (this creative visualisation should give you a real feeling of real abundance, particularly if you then stop and chat with Monica, the Big Issue seller).

Finally, and without opening your eyes, repeat the following affirmation out loud.
“I am part of Wanstead and Wanstead is part of me. Knowing this helps me feel safe beyond the Green Man Roundabout.”
“I am part of Wanstead and Wanstead is part of me. Knowing this helps me feel safe beyond the Green Man Roundabout.”
“I am part of Wanstead and Wanstead is part of me. Knowing this helps me feel safe beyond the Green Man Roundabout.”

I would recommend repeating this around 50 times (This helps to convince your sub-conscious mind that whilst you may physically leave Wanstead spiritually you are ever-present – although it may well get you sectioned if you’re still chanting it in Matalan.)

Using this technique I have managed to negotiate the Green Man roundabout, buy everything a need at Tescos and return totally unscathed without actually believing I’ve left Wanstead’s borders.

Can I advise those attending Wanstead Comedy Night at Baburchi’s on 10th May (500 yards across the border, opposite O’Neal’s) and thinking of using my technique, that on a first attempt it’s probably best to actually keep your eyes open. Although, as you’ve probably noticed before, there’s likely to be many other drivers on the roundabout practicing their own ‘eyes shut’ method, unique to them. Each to their own, I say.

Hope you can make it, and safe journey, however you get there and wherever you’re from!

J