Lead seal, Germany, Rostock, 1100–1500

The seal in the photo is about two centimetres in diameter and 1.5 millimetres thick and is made of lead. The motif comprises what has been interpreted as an ox head with an open mouth and visible tongue. The inscription has largely ended up outside the plate. The part of the inscription that we can see is made up of “+ R O S”, which might possibly refer to the northern German city of Rostock.

This coin was found in 1927 in the water system at the abbot’s house at Varnhem Abbey, during a survey of the abbey grounds.

Lead seals were used as a guarantee mark for goods (often textiles) that were traded both nationally and internationally.

Image rights: Helena Bonnevier, Ekonomiska museet - Kungliga myntkabinettet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

Object number: 1093006_HST

<   13 of 13  >