FrazEr—On Brass Matrix of an Ancient Seal, &c. 467 
engraved work of the figures represented and the symbols and sunken 
letters of the inscription are executed with considerable skill, and 
must have been done by an artist of more than average ability. 
Occupying the central portion of the seal we observe four tonsured 
and corded monks, who are attired in appropriate costume, two on 
each side facing inwards, and regarding with elevated hands the cres- 
cent moon, above which there is a star. The different forms of expres- 
sion which the die-sinker has brought out in the faces of these little 
figures are full of vitality, and their distinctive Roman tonsure, costume, 
rope girdle, &c., are worked out with minute faithfulness. The 
inscription which is placed on each side of the figures was difficult to 
explain in a satisfactory manner. I obtained interesting suggestions 
from Mr. E.M. Thompson, of the MSS. Department in the British 
Museum, who has charge of the Collection of Early English Seals, but 
the reading did not appear altogether clear. 
Above the figures of the four monks there is engraved a crescent 
moon embracing a star within its horns. A star, when appearing as 
a symbol in religious representations, must be considered to denote 
John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and the crescent moon is 
commonly accepted as emblematic of the Virgin. In a subsequent 
portion of this paper I will refer at greater length to certain circum- 
stances which appear deserving of being noticed with reference to both 
these symbols. 
The inscription around the edge of the seal, which constitutes its 
distinctive motto and serves to connect it with the Augustinian 
establishment of Hermits, is free from ambiguity. (See Plate XXIV., 
fig. 1.) 
2 It is fortunate the matrix is in such a perfect state of preservation 
so that every facility is afforded for forming an opinion about the 
approximate date of its fabrication. The style of lettering employed 
must be considered when endeavouring to decide this question, also 
contraction marks used to denote the abbreviation of certain words, 
and the mode of punctuation. Taking all circumstances into account, 
I am disposed to refer it to an early or middle period of the reign of 
Edward III. (a. p. 1827 to a.p. 1877). It would be a matter of little 
difficulty to select out of any cabinet of coins groats and silver pennies 
belonging to that reign which present forms of lettering identical 
with those traced on the die, and the relationship becomes strength- 
ened and more decided when, as stated, marks of contraction and of 
punctuation are likewise studied. Due weight must furthermore be 
given to the double aspect under which the letter N is represented in 
its English and Lombardic forms: indeed the points of resemblance 
between the inscriptions on coins of Edward III. and this matrix 
are so striking that one might be led to conjecture it was either the 
handiwork of some of that king’s moneyers, or at least fabricated by 
an artist trained in similar principles of metallic engraving. The 
authorities of the British Museum appeared inclined to refer it to an 
earlier date, either Edward I. or Edward II.; whichever period be 
R.I.A. PROC., SER. II., VOL. II.—POL. LIT. AND ANTIQ. 3B 
