Anyone know of a depiction of the Holy Grail on any medieval period coin or token?

EdHayes · May 27, 2019 11:04AM

Happy Memorial Day all! My question to the experts here: Anyone know of a depiction of the Holy Grail on any medieval period coin or token? There may be a few, I don't know. But if none ARE known, well, I have one. It appears on the face of a 1200s to 1400s pilgrim token (or maybe they are called Pilgrim Badges) but stylistically they have the look of late Roman ae3 bronze coins. Anyway just wondering if anyone knows of other "Grail" depiction on medieval coins or coin-like pcs.

EdHayes · May 27, 2019 11:05AM

P.s-- the "Grail" isn't the primary design element, but it appears between two standing figures with the cross in the background.

EdHayes · May 28, 2019 5:45PM

None? Well then it would appear I have found (literally) the Holy Grail of numismatics! I will entertain any and all 6-figure offers.

AUandAG · May 29, 2019 2:33PM

Ed, can you post pics?

bob

EdHayes · May 29, 2019 9:24PM

Yes! Not a great scan
but hopefully you can see the chalice on the obverse. BTW, reverse shows (I think) Baby Jesus between kneeling Mary and either Joseph or an angel.

Sapyx · May 29, 2019 10:57PM

Mediaeval European coinage is very much local in character - it tends to depict things that are locally distinctive, so that illiterate people could tell t a glance where a coin was from. As a general rule, if a coin depicted a religious image, that image would reflect this local emphasis. For example, if the main church/cathedral in town is named after Saint Michael, then the coins are likely to depict an Angel.

The Holy Grail, being a mythical artifact, was not in the possession of any one place, nor was the legend of the Grail strongly associated with a specific place. As such, there was no particular reason for it to be depicted on mediaeval coins.

EdHayes · May 30, 2019 5:25PM

The Holy Grail, being a mythical artifact, was not in the possession of any one place, nor was the legend of the Grail strongly associated with a specific place. As such, there was no particular reason for it to be depicted on mediaeval coins.

I'm with you on... 50 percent of that assessment. Physically, the I take the "Grail" to be historical as there was indeed a cup from which Christ drank at the Last Supper.. however, the attributes it was given (sacred relic that had special power, perhaps even bestow eternal life to one who drank from it) are not Biblical. Neither do I believe that the cup/chalice was saved at the time of the Crucifixion (I think Christ's followers had bigger things to worry about). That said, maybe the importance of such a medieval token is that a site BELIEVED they had the "Grail" at their site and this token was admission of sorts, to view it. This piece was supposed to have been found in the Norfolk England area and I know of no special Grail connection there. Nearby Lincolnshire, however,is another case. Probably can't prove it, but it is interesting to ponder.

Namvet69 · June 1, 2019 1:08PM

Now if you found a coin with Monty python and the grail, well you know...that would be nice.

WillieBoyd2 · June 1, 2019 1:51PM

"Choose Wisely"

EdHayes · June 3, 2019 7:23PM

I used to have one of those Egyptian magic coins!

Anyone know of a depiction of the Holy Grail on any medieval period coin or token?

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