Graeco-Roman Figural Lead Sealing
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.
A lead vesica-shaped seal with enigmatic Greek inscription to reverse '..???????..????..'; a head(?) on the obverse. Heijnen, S., 'Athens and the Anchoring of Roman Rule in the 1st century A.D.' in De Gruyter, Journal of Ancient History, 2018; 6 (1), pp.80-110, fig.4.
4.16 grams, 17 mm (5/8 in.). These seals were used for messages or to seal a commercial product and documents being transported throughout the empire. Considering the Greek inscription, it is most probable that the seal came from the Eastern Provinces of the empire. The style recalls the token issued by the city of Athens with the image of the god Apollo in honour of the imperial figure of Augustus. [No Reserve]
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material (listing wording)
- lead
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 4.16 grams, 17 mm
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements are the auction house’s statements about the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 172760095
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.