Chris

Send me the jpegs.

John Dendy
Consulting Archeologist
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Pickerell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 12:20 PM
Subject: Re: Metal disk


> Hello all,
>
> I have found myself in the position of asking for guidance yet again.
This
> time, however, it is not related to pottery.
>
> This past Monday while diving in shallow water (8-10 feet) off the east
end
> of Long Island collecting eelgrass reproductive shoots (don't ask, it's my
> job) I came upon a small metal disk partially buried in sand that was
> eroding at the edge of the meadow.  When I unearthed the disk I found it
to
> be heavy and assumed it was lead and thought it was some kind of weight
for
> fishing gear.  After brushing off some of the encrusting growth, I could
see
> that it had raised helvetic (?) initials "EK" molded into it composed of
> what has been described to me as raised beeds.  A closer look at the disk
> showed that at one time there were ferrous wires or pins (~60) set through
> the disk running around the perimeter.  Total demensions are 4.5 inches
> across, ~0.3 inches thick, weighing in at 753.2 grams or 1.66 lbs.  When I
> showed this to a friend who is very knowledgable about fishing gear and
> everything nautical he said he had never seen anything like it and did not
> think it was related to fishing it any way.  Upon furher examination we
> found that it would ring when struck and after scratching the back we came
> to the conclusion that it may actually be made of solid silver.  With this
> and the execution of the letters we surmised that it may be of 17th or
18th
> century origin and could have been some decoration for a trunk, harness,
> ship or garment?  Does this ring a bell for anybody out there?
>
> I can send pictures to whoever would like to take a crack at it, but chose
> not to attach the jpgs and clog your mailbox.
>
> Thanks in advance for any information you could provide.
>
> Chris Pickerell
>
> ================================
> Chris Pickerell
> Wetland Specialist
> CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
> Marine Program
>
> Address:
> Cornell Marine Lab
> 3690 Cedar Beach Rd.
> Southold, NY  11971
>
> (631) 852-8660 Ext. 36
> (631) 852-8662 fax
> [log in to unmask]
> ================================