Metal Circular Object Found in Soil in Meath

Polic aye

Does anyone have any idea what this is? Its over half a centimetre thick and kinda heavy. It has a circular centre and some other markings that are partly worn away. I found it in my garden in East Meath Area, half a mile from the coast.

katarin

It looks like it's made of iron, that central piece in the centre, is it raised on one side? How heavy is it, estimate? It looks like a boss, but that might be just me getting excited. Because a boss wouldn't be that heavy.

OR could be a lead round that's deformed when hitting something. But looks too big for a round. That was what I thought at first but..

Polic aye

Hi, Thanks for replying.
I weighed it > Its 300grams /10.5 Ounces.
Its hard to tell if parts of it are the original piece or just the oxidation.

I found this on line http://www.monacoauctions.com/Default.aspx?tabid=782&ItemID=5067 It looks really similar but just a lot smaller.

slowburner

Did you try a magnet to see if it's ferrous metal?

Polic aye

Well the rust is orange so Im pretty sure theres some iron in it. I dropped it into the National Museum and they are going to scan it. I did some research myself and yes seems to be a boss but a horse bridle boss that would have been outside the bit, like on a decorated war horse. Anyway the lady in the Museum said that when they scan it this will tell the composition of the metal and indicate the era. I've read online that Vikings did use Fleur de Lis and the Museum Curator said viking pins and graves were found about a mile away from me, in Bettystown, 30 years ago. Ill keep you posted on the results of the scan

Stinicker

It looks like the middle remains of a round battle shield