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SEAL
Unique ID: LANCUM-E87454
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Lead alloy Russian bag or bale seal dating from AD1757 (date on seal).
Obverse: WK / SB9A0 / 1757
Reverse: No 1 (or No 7)
A Russian cast lead or lead alloy seal which imprints on both faces. In plan it is sub-oval. In section it is a sub-rectangular with rounded corners, and there are two parallel holes running the length of the seal. These holes have recently been cleaned, but there are traces of a white powdery deposit adhering to sides. Whether originally this deposit filled the voids is not certain. The obverse face has 'No. 1' or 'No. 7' in high-relief lettering. The 'N' is has curved serifs. The reverse reads '[ ]NP* / SB12A0 / *1755*' within a beaded border. The surface of the seal has a dark grey patina. The seal measures 29.43mm long, 27.72mm wide and 6.01mm thick. It weighs 22.10g. These types of seal were used as a means to monitor and ensure the quality of products such as flax hemp. The size of the seal, being particularly large, suggests it may have originated in Archangel, Russia (Sullivan, J. 2000 'Lead Seals of Russian Origin in Fife' Tayside and Fife Archaeological Journal Volume 6 p. 211-227).
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MODERN
Period from: MODERN
Period to: MODERN
Date from: Exactly AD 1757
Date to: Circa AD 1757
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 20.94 g
Diameter: 26.5 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 3rd September 2015
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Spatial data
No spatial data available.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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