Lead Washer Colonial Site

[Keith123]

This lead washer was found near a pond at a colonial site in Connecticut. It's slightly smaller in diameter than a quarter, but much thicker. There is writing around the perimeter but I can't quite make it out. Any ideas about what it is?

 

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[reale bill]

while we have probably all found lead bale seals,these are a little scarcer. this is another version of a lead seal. this type is supposed to be more secure and tamper resistant.if you look close ,you may see the company name,(E.J.Brooks & Co. N.Y. with patent dates of Dec.5 and Dec 12 1882. this company is still in business today making security seals for cross border shipments.
here's a pic of one i found

 

[Keith123]

Thanks for the info! How exactly does this type of security seal keep a shipment secure?

 

[reale bill]

found a bit more info on bale seals....nothing to do with security...
Lead bale seals were used from the 1300s through the 1800s to indicate inspection of goods shipped in bales. These seals were used by government officials to denote quality control or taxation status, or by private merchants to impart information to local textile producers and traders. Usually, the bale seals encountered on archeological sites consist of “two connected disks of lead that were bent over the corner of a bolt of cloth…and clamped tight with a device that impressed the lead with various symbols, numerals, and letters.