Medieval Lead 'Hail Mary Full of Grace' Seal Matrix

With a hexagonal-section facetted handle tapering to a collar of three ridges and openwork trefoil terminal; the face of the matrix with incised heater shield and heraldic arms: a bend and crescent top right; within a trefoil arched tressure a Latin inscription: ' * AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA' meaning: 'Hail Mary, full of grace'; possibly the arms of the de Blanchfort or de Molay family. 12.41 grams, 27 mm high



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Charlton Marshall, North Dorset, on 16 February 2022 by John Earley; recorded as Treasure with Treasure case tracking no.2022T500, and subsequently disclaimed by the Crown. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.DOR-771829. Accompanied by a copy of the report on a find of potential Treasure for H M Coroner from Charlton Marshall, Dorset. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum informing the finder that the Crown's interest in the find has been disclaimed.

The basic heraldic design (the arms) comprises just a bend (diagonal stripe). The crescent is a mark of cadency, denoting the second son i.e. the younger brother of the heir apparent. The basic 'bend' motif appears in many heraldic designs, such as the arms of the de Blanchfort or de Molay families, amongst others. The heraldry of the town of Chaussin (Jura, France) is similar (bend and crescent) but these arms are not known to have been borne by a family.

With a wide hoop expanding towards the decorated shoulders, a round bezel with ropework border and a central six-petalled flower. 4.84 grams, 23.07 mm overall, 20.50 x 17.45 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

With a D-shaped buckle frame with a narrowed and offset bar, moulded knops decorated with a series of covering raised pellets at each end of the bar; a D-section pin fitted around the bar by an open loop, with a raised circumferential collar present at the junction of the loop and shaft of the pin. 1.93 grams, 14 mm



Found by Jason Ashley whilst searching with a metal detector near Overton, Hambleton, North Yorkshire, UK, in 2025. Accompanied by a copy of the Report for H M Coroner on find of Potential Treasure with Treasure reference no.2025T1065. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum disclaiming the Crown's interest in the find. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.YORYM-EF238A.