The obverse depicts a triple arched canopy supported on slender shafts, under which the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket is shown. On the *dexter* are Thomas’s four murderers, in their armour with swords and shields, the sword of the second co-conspirator falling on the saint’s head. Thomas himself is kneeling before the steps of an altar to *sinister*; a priest holding a cross stands next to the altar. A hand points downwards from the middle of the centre arch.
Image description (reverse)
The reverse depicts a reliquary, its doors open, displaying the Virgin sitting on a bench, holdings a wavy branch in her right hand. Christ, a child, sits on her left knee. Both figures are crowned, and above Christ’s head in the background is an *estoile wavy*.
Legend (obverse)
SIGILLVM : AB[BATIS : ET : CO]NVENTVS . SCI . THOME . MARTYRIS . DE ABERBROTHOT (“Seal of the abbot and monks of Saint Thomas the Martyr of Arbroath”)
Legend (reverse)
PORTA . SALVTIS . AVE . PER . TE . PATET . EXITVS . A . VE . VENIT . AB . EVA . VE . VE . QUIA . TOLLIS AVE
Catalogue
A/Arbr/1
Notes
Dimensions: 3 3/16 in. diameter (86 mm.)
SW I, p.169.
Scran ID: 000-180-001-752-C