POST MEDIEVAL CLOTH SEAL

1680

small two-valve leaden cloth-seal consisting of two circular plates or discs joined by a short connecting tag but with no central rivet or union. On one side is a fleur-de-lis motif, strongly defined withseparate outer leaves and a spear-shaped central leaf, all bound by a crossing bar. To the left of this motif, a letter l or number 1. On the other side is a portrait, presumably of a ruler, facing left (dexter) and shown in positive. This is clearly derived from a coin, to judge from the quality of the bust and from the details of letters circumscribed behind the head, 'F ET ?H[IB]', part of a coin formula. The head appears to be a female bust, c.1680-1840 in style, and about the size of a Maundy penny, but I have not traced this die to any English example and it may well be European. The oxidised metal has a bluish look, suggesting an alloy of lead.