Interesting eBay item

Here's the image:

I was once a budding numismatist, which is a fancy way of saying I collected, admired and occasionally dealt in coins. To make a passion for coins actually count for something, a rudimentary knowledge of all things coin-like is extremely useful. For example, I once paid only 75 cents for a genuine 13th century Byzantine coin-like pendant complete with inscription.

There is no doubt that the object in the picture is genuine, nor is it hard to identify the mark as a Mason's mark. I would say it was indeed a genuine seal related somehow to the stonemasons. But perhaps not. On the one hand, common stonemasons were not usually in the position to seal letters. On the other hand, architects and other masonic dignitaries were. I does resemble, as I'm sure you all know, a fairly common mason's mark found throughout the old world, from India and Syria, to Scotland. I know of an almost identical example here in Germany (on the walls of Cologne Cathedral).

The price may be a little high, but, from what I know, it may be unique. I certainly haven't seen anything like it before

As a vague curiosity, with some research still left to do, I would love to possess it. :)

Out of interest, I have a coin minted by the Teutonic Knights in the 14th century. Though it is very valuable to me, it would if I chose to sell it carry a far lower price-tag than the artefact pictured above.

Author	Message
Carlos	Posted 26/09/2009 23:22:36
Apprentice Group: Forum Member Last Active: 01/04/2012 22:35:55 Posts: 103, Visits: 281 317	http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-MEDIEVAL-MASONIC-BRONZE-SEAL-MATRIX-012428_W0QQitemZ260329741859QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiquities?hash=item3c9cdc9e23&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_2292wt_978 Anybody know the significance of this piece? Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worth wile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
	REPLY QUOTE LIKE 1
Mike Martin	Posted 27/09/2009 11:11:50
Apprentice Group: Administrator Last Active: 36 minutes ago Posts: 2,548, Visits: 12,959 12,584	I would suggest that he means "Masonic" as in of Stone Masons rather than Free Masons Mike Mersey Lodge No. 5434 Website The Freemasons'''' Grand Charity Website See my BALLS here
	REPLY QUOTE LIKE 1
Mike Lawrence	Posted 28/09/2009 09:53:39
Excellent Master Group: Forum Member Last Active: 2 hours ago Posts: 778, Visits: 1,150 11,069	Sadly Carlos, on ebay, anything with a symbol or unexplained sign is attributed to Freemasonry. As a rule of thumb, unless we see something that we are familiar with through our involvement and association with Freemasonry, then there is little chance of it being or masonic relevance. Despite what we imagine, there are no signs or symbols which are not shown to us in the Lodge rooms around the world or the ceremonies of the three degrees including that of the Holy Royal Arch. Having had a look at it, as a curio it may hold some interest to some people, but certainly does not fall into the Freemasonry bracket.
	REPLY QUOTE LIKE 1
lauderdale	Posted 28/09/2009 12:16:15
Past Master Group: Forum Member Last Active: 10/07/2011 06:43:06 Posts: 2,122, Visits: 4,278 5,026	It looks like a very early "Mark Penny". Is there any authentic dating for it?
	REPLY QUOTE LIKE 1
yorksmason	Posted 28/09/2009 18:59:46
Master Group: Forum Member Last Active: 2 hours ago Posts: 270, Visits: 3,756 1,591	Mike Lawrence (28/09/2009) Despite what we imagine, thereare no signs or symbols whichare not shown to us in the Lodge rooms around the world or the ceremonies of the three degrees including that of the Holy Royal Arch. Have you told Dan Brown? It'll break his heart!
	REPLY QUOTE LIKE 1
AJM	Posted 02/10/2009 20:21:51
Apprentice Group: Forum Member Last Active: 16/06/2011 14:48:33 Posts: 33, Visits: 445 133	Here's the image: I was once a budding numismatist, which is a fancy way of saying I collected, admired and occasionally dealt in coins. To make a passion for coins actually count for something, a rudimentary knowledge of all things coin-like is extremely useful. For example, I once paid only 75 cents for a genuine 13th century Byzantine coin-like pendant complete with inscription. There is no doubt that the object in the picture is genuine, nor is it hard to identify the mark as a Mason's mark. I would say it was indeed a genuine seal related somehow to the stonemasons. But perhaps not. On the one hand, common stonemasons were not usually in the position to seal letters. On the other hand, architects and other masonic dignitaries were. I does resemble, as I'm sure you all know, a fairly common mason's mark found throughout the old world, from India and Syria, to Scotland. I know of an almost identical example here in Germany (on the walls of Cologne Cathedral). The price may be a little high, but, from what I know, it may be unique. I certainly haven't seen anything like it before As a vague curiosity, with some research still left to do, I would love to possess it. :) Out of interest, I have a coin minted by the Teutonic Knights in the 14th century. Though it is very valuable to me, it would if I chose to sell it carry a far lower price-tag than the artefact pictured above. ________________________________________________________ Official Website
	REPLY QUOTE LIKE 1

The Freemason Forum

Interesting eBay item

Interesting eBay item

Similar Topics