Ancient Coins and Antiquities

Medieval, 15th Century, A bronze circular seal matrix, 34mm diameter by 4mm deep; central design of a shield with six martlets separated by a bend, surmounted by a helm with a unicorn above, foliage in the field; legend around in black lettering arnaldo montenay (Arnold Mountney); there are two hinges behind with a step where the (now missing) semi-circular handle folded. Fine with all details clear
£800-£1,000

Found near Droxford, Hampshire

This seal compares to one recorded by the Public Record Office, personal seals vol 1, no P560, Arnold de Mountney. The shield represents the arms of Sussex. The Montenay family is descended from Dracon Mountigni of Normandy and then subsequently in Mountnessing in Essex; The Mountenay arms in heraldry are a gold band between six gold martlets on a blue field.