File:Early-Medieval cast lead objects probably gaming pieces or weights. (FindID 258020).jpg

English: Two cast sub-circular sloping expanded base with central boss lead objects probably Early Medieval/Viking gaming pieces or weights. The date is uncertain but possible 850-1300AD. The diameter of counter 1 is 18mm, thickness 4mm and the weight 9.07g and the diameter of counter 2 is14mm, thickness 5mm and the weight 7.70g. Objects like this are often described as gaming pieces but there are few excavated examples to which to compare them. Similar sized and shaped objects recovered from Anglo-Scandinavian building contexts in York have been identified as Hnefatafl pieces (Mainman and Rodgers, 2000). Hnefatafl which translates as 'The Kings Chequered Table' and often called 'nafle tafle' was a game rather like chess. The game was popular throughout Northern Europe and was last recorded in Britain as being played in Wales in 1587. Very few gaming pieces have been found associated with this game. They can be mistaken for weights but the pieces with flat or hollowed out base of varying shape particularly dome shaped sometimes with a nipple on top and sometimes with a raised rib forming a cross on the top are most likely to have been used as gaming pieces. This suggestion is based on the inconsistency in weight between the pieces 50% are hollow. The variety of shapes may be to do with their use as gaming pieces. Most like v245c solid with central boss and sloping expanded base. Mills. Nigel 2001. Saxon and Viking artefacts. Greenlight publishing, Witham Wessex. Possible gaming pieces that are made of lead are illustrated in ‘Lead Weights’ by Biggs and Withers (2000), but it is pointed out that similar objects have been found associated with Viking weights.