Circular, 7/8” diameter. White metal, probably a tin-lead pewter alloy. The front with a cross with raised nubs at the center and junction voids representing the five wounds of Christ. Chevrons between the beams, possible emulating the Wheel of Fortune as Pagan beliefs were incorporated into Christian religion. Reverse with a rudimentary cross only. The top with remnants of an integral suspension lug for fastening to a garment, usually a hat. These were produced in the Holy Land for pilgrims who wore them at home as prestige symbols. They were sold at shrines of saints where holy relics of the saints, sometimes, the whole corpus, were preserved. The symbols are specific to the life and achievements of the saint. Pilgrims (known upon their return as “palmers” and thus originating the surname Palmer) wore them strung as necklaces, on hats, or attached to the clothing.
