French, Customs / Tax Seal, Image & Found by John Heaton.
Found in West Lancashire, 18mm.
CI ligate, CONTRIBUTIONS curving down IND curving up around // 7(6)7
Small seal with deep circular indentation on both sides, one containing the stylised ligature CI, the other the number 7(6?)7.
From a distinctive group of seals with various numbers on the reverse. Some have CONTRIBUTIONS around the inner raised edge and possibly IND - an abbreviation of Indirect to give 'Contributions Indirectes' - indirect taxes (French). "Taxes can be divided into direct taxes (taxes on income or property), and indirect taxes (taxes on alcohol and tobacco)." From 'France as a superpower 1700 - 1715'
