A tiny unclassified stone set into a silver coin by Sir James Douglas in 13th-century Scotland has baffled gemologists for centuries. Famously used to cure cattle plague during Charles I's reign, it was even examined by Glasgow's Church assembly! Now rests in a gold snuff box from Empress Maria Theresa. 🪨✨
Unclassified Lee Penny stone carried from Spain to Scotland in 13th century
Key facts
- Semi-transparent stone approximately half an inch across; no gemologist has ever classified it
- Set into a silver coin of Edward I by Sir James Douglas at the Lockhart estate in Lanarkshire, Scotland
- Associated with the Lockhart family name, derived from "locked heart" referencing Robert the Bruce's heart
- Used to cure cattle disease in East Lothian in 1629 and plague in Newcastle during reign of Charles I
- Examined by the Church assembly at Glasgow, which dismissed accusations of sorcery since no words were spoken during its use
- Currently kept in a gold snuff box gifted by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria
Keep exploring
Every site on this page sits on the globe, and the people who research them are on the Discord.
3D Globe · Sites by country · Story Archive · Research Library · Weekly Journal · Search
AI-generated text · images from the original sources · always verify with the sources.