Roman Lead Seal, Label, Image & Found by Sukisal.
Found in Suffolk, 42 x 31mm, 12.57g.
See PAS SF-8D9D62, " A rare and almost complete Roman lead rectangular tag, measuring 42mm in length and 31mm in width. This tag was discovered folded in half, it was subsequently opened out, the fold line can still be seen. It has a central circular perforation near to the edge of one of the short sides. Both faces of this tag have incised roman writing on them, one side has clearer writing on three distinct lines to the right of the perforation, and the other has larger less clear overlapping letters. Part of one corner of this tag and part of the middle of one of the long edges is missing due to old breaks. This tag is currently being examined by specalists so that its writing can be deciphered. A similar, though slightly smaller, lead tag with writing on both faces has been discovered in Carlisle this tag indicated who the object it was originally attached to belonged to (Britannia Vol XX 1989, 334).
Notes:
Mark Hassall, UCL writes that;
side (a) side (b) (over a worn primary text). PI . DIRIP@SCV @ . X XXXVI A X P IX . In side b the value (repeated) and weight of the goods labelled may have been indicated: | A (sses) x P (ondo) ix , '10 asses; 9 pounds'. NOTE. In side (a) the second element of the first line might be connected with pascuum 'pasture' or pascuus 'suitable for pasture'. It is just conceivable that some word for 'sack of fodder' may have been indicated followed by a number compare the lead tags from Usk (RIB ii fasc. 1 No 2410. 13-22, where bag (sarcina) number, value and weight are given. Alternatively the word at the end of line 1 may have been p(h)asc(ic)u(lus), 'a bundle' perhaps preceded by PIDI@+LI, pedali(s) ie 'foot luggage' or as we might say 'hand luggage'. To the labels published in RIB ii, fasc. 1 under, nos 2410 add also Britannia 20 (1989), 334-5 (no. 14), Carlisle."
