Cloth Seal, Georgian, 1801-1837, Image by StuE, Found by David Bream.
Found near Tregantle fort in south east Cornwall, 36x27mm, 15g.
Two-disc seal with crowned arms of Britain 1801-1837, Garter around with motto HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE, STOREKEEPER GENERAL around // (57371?) / 307 (scratched)
The inescutcheon bearing the arms of Hanover first appeared on the arms of Britain in 1801, the former having previously been displayed in the fourth quarter of the British arms. In 1816 the electoral bonnet that is usually shown above this inescutcheon was replaced by a royal crown due to Hanover having been declared a kingdom two years previously. Unfortunately no bonnet or crown can be seen above the inescutcheon on this seal but it still allows us to date it from between 1801 to 1837 when Victoria's sex prevented her from ascending to the Hanovarian throne and we adopted the arms still used to the current day. This seal therefore comes from the reign of George III, IV or William IV.
This would appear to be the successor to the armorial Georgian seals (see BSG.CS.00264) and it is interesting to see the post of Storekeeper General persisting. It is obviously too late to be connected to the alnage subsidy which ended in 1724 and probably simply signifies government ownership of the cloth.