Richard,
There are some similar Indian copper coins (purportedly Mauryan Empire
punch-mark types ... which would be considerably older, possibly by 5 or 6
centuries, than the molded type Tim shows ... if, in fact, Tim's is actually
a genuine coin) being offered on eBay here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/India-Bronze-Punchmark-Mauryan-Empire-ancient-coin_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dSICQ26itsQ3dIQ252BCQ26ituQ3dFICSQ252BUFIQ252BUAQ252BIAQ252BUCIQ26otnQ3d14Q26poQ3dLVIQ26psQ3d54QQ_trksidZp3907Q2em263QQcategoryZ4737QQitemZ370167825087QQsalenotsupported
The eBay examples also show suspiciously little corrosion ... which would
jive if: (1) neither Tim's nor these have ever been buried or handled too
much in the past 2,000+ years (highly unlikely) ... or (2) they have been
cleaned and polished (possible for the eBay examples, but unlikely for an
genuine archaeologically recovered specimen) ... OR (3) if they both are
FAKES !
After looking through about 10,000 images of coins from southern India from
ca. 1500-2,500 years ago, and not finding any examples even remotely like
that one Tim has, I'm beginning to think maybe Tim's could possibly be a
spurious hoax (a plant of recent manufacture). As you point-out, there's
certainly cause enough (by the fact of the absolute dearth of any corrosion,
alone) to be mighty suspicious ... and even more so, if Tim (or another
archaeologist) didn't actually recover the item, or witness it being
recovered. I've had experience with some mighty sneaky metal-detectorists,
before, who enjoyed nothing more than trying to pull the wool over unwary
archaeologists' eyes.
~ Bob Skiles
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Wright" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: Help with artifact ID; possible association with enslaved
African Americans in Missouri
> It looks too suspiciously unoxidized to have ever been in soil. Was it
> found buried? If so I'd be cautious.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ---------------
>
> Subject: Re: Help with artifact ID; possible association with enslaved
> African Americans in Missouri
> From: Bob Skiles <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:45:55 -0500
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
>>Yes, I agree, Michelle, there is a certain "Indus-seal" feel to the
>>iconography ( see http://www.harappa.com/indus/37.html
>>
>>and here: http://www.harappa.com/indus/25.html )
>>
>>I don't recognize the script, but it's definitely post Indus/Harrapan.
>>
>>This is a cast copper coin; my guess is southern India. Likely a local
>>minting of a city- or princely-state.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Michelle Touton" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 6:31 PM
>>Subject: Re: Help with artifact ID; possible association with enslaved
>>African Americans in Missouri
>>
>>
>>> It reminds me of wax seals such as those used by the Indus people (e.g.,
>>> http://www.people.vcu.edu/~djbromle/cartoon04/shobha/Seals_SR2.htm; see
>>> especially the second image), but those are usually carved in the
>>> negative
>>> to leave a positive impression and your bronze piece looks like a
>>> positive
>>> carving. Perhaps folk art, a talisman, or perhaps even a souvenir meant
>>> to imitate an ancient seal? Have you been able to date the layer from
>>> which the object was found?
>>>
>>> Michelle
>>>
>>> Missouri Archaeology wrote:
>>>> See link below for images of the small cast bronze object embossed
>>>> with unique writing or symbols and a quadruped that looks like a rhino
>>>> or
>>>> elephant.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/39860575@N03/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 12:20 PM, Missouri Archaeology <
>>>> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Dear All,
>>>>>
>>>>> I need help identifying a small cast bronze object embossed with
>>>>> unique
>>>>> writing or symbols and a quadruped that looks like a rhino or
>>>>> elephant.
>>>>> This object was found during a metal detection survey of a site
>>>>> in Boonville, Missouri, which was occupied almost continuously from
>>>>> the
>>>>> 1820s through the mid-1990s. An original single-pen log cabin is at
>>>>> the
>>>>> center of the present house (and completely visible on the interior).
>>>>> An
>>>>> early 20th century rear addition and the original outbuildings didn't
>>>>> survive. Oral information suggests that one of the razed buildings was
>>>>> a
>>>>> slave quarters and that at least one of the long-time antebellum
>>>>> occupants
>>>>> was a slave owner. The piece was found about eight inches below the
>>>>> surface
>>>>> on the rear portion of the lot at the spot where the possible quarters
>>>>> stood. If you are interested or think you can help, then send me an
>>>>> email
>>>>> and I will forward you some images.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>
>>>>> Tim
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Timothy E. Baumann, Ph.D. , RPA
>>>>>
>>>>> Curator of Collections
>>>>>
>>>>> Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology
>>>>>
>>>>> Indiana University
>>>>>
>>>>> 423 N. Fess Avenue
>>>>>
>>>>> Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Phone: 812-855-0022
>>>>>
>>>>> Fax: 812-855-1864
>>>>>
>>>>> Email: [log in to unmask]
>>>>>
>>>>> Website: www.gbl.indiana.edu
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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