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Complete lead alnage seal, probably of James II. The seal is complete, though worn and is formed from two circular discs joined by a rectangular strip or tag of lead, which was then folded over the edge of cloth, so that the discs align. One disc is moulded with a lion facing left with 2 ½ below, for the two and a half pence subsidy rate, within a border of dots. The opposite disc is moulded with a bust facing right, presumably James II, within a border of dots and seemingly no legend. The lead survives in good condition and is a creamy white. The seal is 21.62mm long, 14.12mm in diameter across the discs, 2.82mm thick (across both discs) and weighs 3.17g. Similar post-reformation seals can be seen in Egan, 1994, Lead cloth seals and related items in the British Museum, British Museum Occasional paper 93, figure 27. See especially number 137 for the portrait comparison. James II ruled from 1685-1688. PAS ref. ESS-0F7D76. |
