ESS-34E5A6: An incomplete Roman copper alloy seal matrix, dating to the late 4th century AD.

Rights Holder: Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service
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SEAL MATRIX

Unique ID: ESS-34E5A6

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation Find awaiting validation

An incomplete Roman copper alloy seal matrix, dating to the late 4th century AD. The object is domed and has the seal on the flat circular face. On the peak of the dome would have been a suspension loop. The seal depicts an imperial bust, laureate and cuirassed, facing right. The inscription reads VA[LENT]INIANVS E[---] and thus dates the objects to the House of Valentinian (AD 364-392) (and note Valentinian III, AD 425-50). The seal face has been significantly worn and damaged in places, obscuring the full inscription. The is also a lip around the edge of the object on one side, either caused during production or as a result of later damage.

No exact parallel can be found for this object, but compare NMS-0B5BB1, which is thought to be the bezel from a signet finger-ring.

Dimensions: diameter: 24.05 mm; height: 10.21 mm; weight: 15.20g.

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: ROMAN
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: ROMAN
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 364
Date to: Circa AD 392

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Height: 10.21 mm
Weight: 15.2 g
Diameter: 24.05 mm

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Incomplete

Spatial metadata

Region: London (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Greater London Authority (Greater London Authority)
District: Tower Hamlets (London Borough)
Parish or ward: St. Katharine's and Wapping (London Borough Ward)

Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: TQ3480
Four figure Latitude: 51.50305749
Four figure longitude: -0.07075664
1:25K map: TQ3480
1:10K map: TQ38SW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Open fresh water
Specific landuse: Running water

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Find number: SUR-E83E41
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Timeline of associated dates

Audit data

Recording Institution: ESS
Created: 9 years ago
Updated: 7 years ago

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