In this case these transactions involved paying tolls. The inscription around the edge is in lettering known as Lombardic capitals which has been deciphered as reading: +SIGI . SNARRI .THEOLENARII. This translates as 'the seal of Snarrus the toll collector'. The figure in the centre immediately makes sense — here is Snarrus himself collecting a toll payment in his purse. The disc has a little piece at the top which is pierced for suspension and Snarrus might have worn it round his neck for safe-keeping. The form of the clothing and the lettering suggest that the object dates to the mid 12th century.
Elsewhere in York we have found leather purses such as Snarrus might have used, and examples are shown in other places, such as on painted window glass.
For whom did Snarrus collect tolls? Was it for a Norman city official? What sort of goods passed under his scrutiny? Did he stand at the city gates stopping traders as they passed through or did he collect tolls from their stalls or shops in the city? These things we do not know, but the name itself is interesting. It is thought to be a Latinized form of the Scandinavian name Snare or Snorri which is known both as a forename and a nickname meaning 'shrewd' — a useful attribute for a toll-collector! The name appears in York and Yorkshire from the time of Domesday Book (1086) onwards and there are still Snarrs living in York today. Perhaps they can trace their origins back to this collector of tolls who, in turn, might be a descendant of a Scandinavian settler.
Find number 1973.5 YEG, 29. Diameter 38mm, thickness 9.5mm.
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