According to Cunningham (1970:30 and 1971:52) there was an old British Army game
entitled "Shove Ha'penny", the object of which was to have two coins resting
between each pair of lines.  A student working in our office this summer
(Barbara Leskovec) ran across this reference while looking at a collection of
coins found on the Rideau Canal dating to 1820-40.  Some appeared to be copper
blanks and the reference suggests that coins were rubbed until extremely smooth
and then shoved along the surface of a slate divided into sections by parallel
lines.   Would ceramic suffice if no coins were available?

References

Cunningham, Ann
1970
Coins from Coteau du Lac, P.Q.  Manuscript Report Series, No. 23, pages 1-30.
Parks Canada, Ottawa,Ont.

1971
Coins from Fort Beausejour, N.B.  Manuscript Report Series, No. 24.  Parks
Canada, Ottawa Ont.

Caroline Phillips
Archaeological Services
Ontario Service Centre, Parks Canada
Cornwall, Ontario






"Dr Robert V. J. P. Varman" <[log in to unmask]> on 10/23/2000 11:38:59 AM

Please respond to HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY <[log in to unmask]>



 To:      [log in to unmask]

 cc:      (bcc: Caroline Phillips/Est-East/PCH/CA)



 Subject: Ceramic gaming pieces






Dear Histarchers,

Does anyone know what sort of games were played with 'gaming pieces' made
from broken ceramics? The pieces I have excavated are usually around 25mm
in diameter and the jagged sides roughly rounded by rubbing against a
harder object. Generally they are made of any piece of transferware but in
one case a scene of an Oriental man was deliberately selected. I have found
larger specimens formed from the bases of cups (with scenes on the base of
the bowl), again, the edges rounded off. Several show signs of wear, as if
they had been smoothed down to slide easily on a board or table - or the
wear may be due to the activity of having been slid across a surface for
some time. Were they used for gambling or playing some sort of board game?
I have also found lead pieces of about 20mm - 25mm in diameter and thicker
than a coin, possibly for the same purpose, some imprinted with patterns in
low relief.

Regards, Robert

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