Lot 1505

Description

Billy and Charley 'medallion' dated 1012, with elaborate loop, in brass (58 x 83mm), obverse, with facing bust of a king and meaningless legends, reverse with two medieval knights and meaningless legends; another smaller in brass, (44 x 72mm), dated 1011, obverse, with seated king and meaningless legends, reverse with three figures and meaningless legends. Very fine. (2)

Billy and Charley were illiterate forgers operating in London in the 1850s. They produced cast medallions and other items in lead and brass, many with impossible designs including Arabic dates long before such dates were in use. For some time these items created great confusion and debate among archaeologists and collectors before being exposed as fantasies.