Rectangular Lead Initial Seals from Caesarea Maritima

[v-drome]

Hi all.  I have a few of these rectangular lead seals which I will be posting here.  I saw a couple of similar items on the Forum discussion board and in Quadrans' gallery, and on Gert Boersema's archive.  Any reference sources for finding the meaning and use of these objects would be appreciated.  Is the Latin "S" usually smaller on the top half, in other words, can I be fairly certain that this is MSM, not WSW?  Any other ideas about the interpretation of the inscription, date, and purpose will be welcomed.  Thanks, V-drome.

BCC LSR8
Roman Rectangular Lead Seal
ca. 1st-3rd Century CE?
Obv: MSM. Rev: MSM 
The shape of the impression indicates a truncated,
wedge shaped die or boulloterion, I think.
1.85 x 0.6 x 0.3cm 2.35gm. Axis:0
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1975
(click for larger pic)

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=127303.0

[v-drome]

I am not sure what it means with regard to the striking process, but like LSR8, above, this seal bears a truncated wedge-shaped impression on one side, while the other side has a flatter, more even look. 

BCC LSR9
Roman Rectangular Lead Seal
ca. 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: S:A:B  Rev: S:A:B  The letters
are separated by three vertical dots.
One side bears the impression of
a truncated, wedge-shaped die or
boulloterion.  Both sides are offset
equally due to the mis-placement
of the blank at striking.
2.12 x 0.8 x 0.3cm 3.49gm. Axis:0
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1972

[v-drome]

Here is one with an interesting overstrike.  I can't quite figure out the sequence, but there is a faint doubling of the letters to the right of the "C" and the "O".  Maybe it was flipped over and re-struck two or more times?  It is still not clear to me whether the seal was struck with a fixed tool, or with carefully placed separate dies, but it certainly seems that there was some room for error.  Any ideas or additional seals from our members are welcome to post here.  I have several more that I am still working on and will be adding them soon.  Thanks, Jimi

BCC LSR10
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: C.O.S  Rev: C.O.S
One side bears the impression of
a truncated, wedge-shaped die or
boulloterion, with multiple strikes
and ghost letters.
2.1 x 0.6 x 0.5cm 4.53gm. Axis:0
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1977
(click for larger pic)

[v-drome]

BCC LSR11
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: MCS  Rev: Blank
Oblique strike.  The reverse may
have had an inscription, but there
are no discernable traces remaining.
2.0 x 0.45 x 0.5cm 3.0gm. Axis:NA
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1970

[v-drome]

BCC LSR12
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: O.C.A  Rev: [O.C.A]
There is a slight curve to the die on
this example, unlike the more typical
rectangular stamps. The reverse may
show very faint traces of an inscription
but it is not certain.
1.5 x 0.65 x 0.25cm 1.33gm. Axis:0
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1977

[Jay GT4]

These are great

[v-drome]

Thank you, Jay.  I have been wanting to work on these for some time.  Here's another:

BCC LSR13
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: VAL  Rev: VAL
This seal has the typical rectangular
incuse stamp on one side, and a flatter
surface with raised letters on the other.
However, unlike the majority of these
seals, the die axis is 180 degrees (6 hrs)
instead of the usual 0 (12 hrs).
1.85 x 0.55 x 0.3cm 1.63gm. Axis:180
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1974

[v-drome]

BCC LSR14
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: ALI  Rev:ALI
This seal has a slightly incuse rectangular
stamp on one side, and a flatter surface
with raised letters on the other, as is typical
for these small objects, sometimes referred
to as "bag seals".
1.74 x 0.53 x 0.42cm 2.61gm. Axis:0
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, ca. 1966

[v-drome]

BCC LSR15
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: OAP (or B, or R) Rev:Blank
Truncated incuse rectangular stamp with
inscription on one side, and a flatter surface
with no traces of inscription on the other.
Struck on an undersize or broken flan.
1.25 x 0.6 x 0.3cm 1.35gm. Axis:NA
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1978

[v-drome]

BCC LSR16
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: M??   Rev:?
Truncated incuse rectangular stamp with
Nearly illegible inscription on one side,
possibly M_M, with something similar on
the flatter underside.
cf. BCC LSR17
1.55 x 0.5 x 0.45cm 2.52gm. Axis:0
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1974

[v-drome]

The form of the letters on this one seem very similar in many respects to the inscription
on LSR16, above, but I am unable to determine whether they may be from the same dies.
The flan could also have been flipped between strikes.

BCC LSR17
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: ?MM?   Rev: M?M
Mis-strikes and multiple strikes make
this one very difficult to read.  Possibly
AMM-? on one side, though the "A"
could just be a remnant of the first "M".
The underside, also mis-struck, may read
M?M.  cf. BCC LSR16
2.1 x 0.62 x 0.45cm 3.63gm. Axis:0?
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1971

[v-drome]

BCC LSR18
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: ETK?   Rev: Blank
Small module with partially off-flan
strike.  ETI? or EI? also possible. 
Reverse may have an inscription but
nothing is discernable now.
1.35 x 0.67 x 0.3cm 1.39gm. Axis:NA
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1972

[Joe Sermarini]

I have never had one of these in the shop. Send duplicates on consignment!

[v-drome]

BCC LSR20
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: GOP   Rev: GOP
The reverse is mis-struck and over-
struck, with a lateral offset and remnants
of the letters P, G, and O from left to right.
The noticable curve in this seal is very possibly
the result of damage made subsequent to the
strike, rather than the product of a curved die.
1.9 x 0.75 x 0.45cm 3.93gm. Axis:0
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1970
(click for larger pic)

[v-drome]

This is the last one in the present assemblage from Caesarea Maritima.  The inscription is not at all clear.  As always, anyone coming across similar items would be most appreciated to post them here, along with any information or theories regarding the interpretation and function of these tiny seals.  Thanks, again.  Jimi

BCC LSR21
Rectangular Lead Seal
Roman 1st-3rd Century CE
Obv: --V   Rev: Blank
Small module seal with damaged and
obscure inscription.  Possibly ECV or similar.
1.4 x 0.55 x 0.45cm 2.10gm. Axis:NA
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1972