File:A Post Medieval Russian flax bale seal (FindID 963427).jpg

The lead seal is a thick disc with two horizontal perforations running through the centre from edge to edge to accommodate a cord or wire which would have been used to attach the seal to a bale of flax.

It reads: (*NP*) / F . W 12[H] / 181[...] on one face and *ЛД*/ ABOPO / FbEB / H79 on the reverse.

The initials ЛД = LD L'nyanoy Dosmotr = Flax Inspector ABOPO / FbEB (personal name), H 79 is the post number.

NP which is used for flax until 1829 by all ports. FW represents initials of the previous Grower/Owner/Agent. 12H = 12 flax heads in a bale. 181[...] is the date of inspection, grading or "brack"

It is 20.9mm in diameter with a thickness of 5.8mm and a weight of 12.02g.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries Russia was a prominent exporter of flax Lead bale seals were used as a means of identification and as a component of regulation and quality control. Russian seals of this type were used as a means to monitor and ensure the quality of flax hemp products from Russia. They were applied individually by a port inspector and gave unique information like the inspector's name, the post where they worked, the name of the port, the initials of the previous grower/owner or agent, the quality and grade of the flax and the date it was graded (Sullivan 2002, 211-227).