Russian Bale Seal, Baltic States, Hemp, SPB, 1799, Image by StuE, Found by Farticus.
Found in the Hull region, 19 x 23mm, 9.4g.
First side:-
First line:- SPB = St. Petersburg
Second line:- AKRH = Probably Roman script, Indicates the quality and type of goods but uncertain what initials stood for.*
Third line 1799 = Date of grading
Second side:-
First line:- ПД = PD = Hemp Inspection (but could also stand for Port Inspection or Tow Inspection*)
Second & Third lines:- ИНЕ(Н?) = INYe(N?)
АЕВ? = AYeV? (initials & surname of Quality Control Officer.)*
Fourth line:- (H?)183 = N 183 = the number of the post the QA Officer worked at.*
These seals are Russian flax or hemp bale quality control seals.
See Figs. on pages 54 & 55, *Russian Cloth Seals in Britain: Trade, Textiles and Origins by John Sullivan.
Inscription deciphered and completed by Ged Dodd of The PeaceHavens Project, IDS 78 using his extensive database:- SPB / AKRH / 1799 // ПД = PD / И.HEЧAEBЬ = I.NECHAEV / H83
