SEAL

A cast lead-alloy sub-circular bifaced token of probable medieval or post-medieval date. The token has the letters G (or possibly C). M. D (or possibly 9) K. on one face, set within a circular border of raised circular pellets. The reverse depicts a shield with a plain cross in the centre and three pellets in each upper angle of the cross. This is set within a circular borded of raised circular pellets. The token measures 21.84 mm in diameter and is 4.42 mm thick. It weighs 10.8 grams. It has a grey to cream patina. Given the cross on the reverse and the location of its findspot, not far from Lichfield Cathedral, it is possible that this token has religious significance, possibly as a communion token or similar.

January 2013: This find was originally recorded as a lead token, but has now been identified as a lead commodity seal for flax or hemp, of Post Medieval to Modern dating (1700 AD to 1900 AD). Thanks are extended to Paul Cannon for the identification and his comments are as follows:

Comment from Paul Cannon: This is not a token but is a lead commodity seal for flax or hemp. The arms consist of a plain quartered shield with pellets in the upper quarters. The other face has the initials C.M above 9K. A very large number of these type of seals are known and many are on the PAS database and on other databases. Various pairs or groups of three initials are known. Although they always have Roman letters these are now thought to originate in the Baltic region around Riga [see John Sullivan's recent book pp 50-51]. YORYM-7ED746 incorporates the same initials CM. The other part of the inscription most commonly consists of 9K or 12K, which indicate the quality of the flax to which the seal was attached. A selection of other seals of this type on the database are FALK-A6F621 (WB/12K); HESH-6C8FE5 (12K/WLT); DUR-881E61 (12K/TM) & DUR-7B44B7 (WLT/9K).
'Russian Cloth Seals in Britain: Trade, Textiles & Origins' by John Sullivan (2012).