🥇 BANNER Rotary seal is now complete!

[Tommy G]

A couple weeks ago I posted this rotary seal commenting that I would return to the 1756 home site where I found it and try to find the stone seal.



That was actually the second one I had found. The first one I found back in June 2016, same site, did not have the bezel ring.


Well I returned to the site today to burn off a few Thanksgiving calories, I was amazed to find the actual seal and bezel ring to the first one!


I got home, and after some careful cleaning, was able to remount the bezel ring and seal into the original one I found in June.


It is a double sided seal with a lion on one side and a bust on the other. With some indirect light, I was able to get these photos.



Thank goodness the stone was still inside the metal bezel ring, or I never would have found it. I've been metal detecting for years, but this has got to be one of my best finds. Thanks for having a look!

 

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[Tommy G]

Dude ..Man I...I...Just don't know what to say.
TO COOL!!!

Thanks, Davers. Don't feel bad. When I first pulled it out of the ground, I didn't know what to say either!

 

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[Carolina Tom]

Congrats on the banner. That is an awesome find, centerpiece for your collection.

Very well played sir!

 

[Tommy G]

Congrats on the banner. That is an awesome find, centerpiece for your collection.

Very well played sir!

Thanks, Tom. It's definitely going front and center!

 

[jimbonito58]

Nice Congratulations !!

 

[ghp95134]

The lion in this pose is called a "Lion Rampant". When the matrix is applied to the hot wax, the wax image will show the lion facing dexter -- to the shield bearer's right (see image below).

The Reverend James Wallace (from Errol, Perthshire, ca 1667-Elizabeth City Co, Va, 1712) used a red shield with a silver lion rampant. In heraldic terms, this would be blazoned as "Gules a lion rampant Argent." Gules = red; so the shield is red and upon this is a silver (argent) lion rampant.

I do not know if your find is in the Elizabeth City area or not, and I do not know if this could be the Reverend's seal; however, it is interesting to speculate. Not all seals showed the shield; some used only the crest: that heraldic device that sits on top of the helmet.

The Reverend's tombstone, St. John’s Churchyard, Hampton, Va
Source, American Heraldry Society

I understand the reluctance to pinpoint finds ... but could you tell us if it was in the Hampton/Elizabeth City County area?

Interesting.

Thanks,
--Guy Power

 

[Tommy G]

The lion in this pose is called a "Lion Rampant". When the matrix is applied to the hot wax, the wax image will show the lion facing dexter -- to the shield bearer's right (see image below).

The Reverend James Wallace (from Errol, Perthshire, ca 1667-Elizabeth City Co, Va, 1712) used a red shield with a silver lion rampant. In heraldic terms, this would be blazoned as "Gules a lion rampant Argent." Gules = red; so the shield is red and upon this is a silver (argent) lion rampant.

I do not know if your find is in the Elizabeth City area or not, and I do not know if this could be the Reverend's seal; however, it is interesting to speculate. Not all seals showed the shield; some used only the crest: that heraldic device that sits on top of the helmet.

The Reverend's tombstone, St. John’s Churchyard, Hampton, Va
Source, American Heraldry Society

I understand the reluctance to pinpoint finds ... but could you tell us if it was in the Hampton/Elizabeth City County area?

Interesting.

Thanks,
--Guy Power

No problem, Guy. This was found just west of Richmond, VA. I think the Lion Rampant was a very common symbol in heraldry. You may also want to consider the bust on the opposite side - I'm not sure that would fit in with the Reverand's history, but you've obviously done some nice research on this - very interesting!

 

[DCMatt]

KGIII?

 

[Tommy G]

View attachment 1386295

KGIII?

Nice, Matt! It looks spot on to me. If you blow up the photo of the bust side of the seal, I was already thinking I could see a epaulet on the shoulder. I really need to imprint some wax examples to get some more detail, but I'm travelling right now. Hopefully in the next day or two. Thanks for the post!

 

[ghp95134]

No problem, Guy. This was found just west of Richmond, VA. I think the Lion Rampant was a very common symbol in heraldry. You may also want to consider the bust on the opposite side - I'm not sure that would fit in with the Reverand's history, but you've obviously done some nice research on this - very interesting!

Thanks TommyG, I'll pass that vicinity to my acquaintance who is interested in early American heraldry. I was told by him that the blazon I quoted was incorrect in that the Reverend's coat of arms has a bordure compony, (a single row of squares in alternating tinctures); see below.

Regards,
--Guy

 

[DCMatt]

OMG!!! I posted the wrong image!!! That is Benedict Arnold!!! Not KGIII!!

 

[DCMatt]

 

[DCMatt]

 

[Tommy G]

OMG!!! I posted the wrong image!!! That is Benedict Arnold!!! Not KGIII!!

Ha! I still think there is an epaulet on that seal bust. Who knows, I may have found Benedict Arnold's seal!

 

[Loco-Digger]

It's amazing that you found that piece Tommy. Congrats on the well deserved Banner.

 

[Tommy G]

It's amazing that you found that piece Tommy. Congrats on the well deserved Banner.

Thanks, Loco. You know what they say - Even the blind hog finds an acorn every now and then!

 

[Loco-Digger]

Thanks, Loco. You know what they say - Even the blind hog finds an acorn every now and then!

yes and a clock that does not work tells the correct time twice a day.

 

[rreahard]

That's an awesome find! Congrats!!

 

[ghp95134]

...This was found just west of Richmond, VA....

Word back from the heraldist: "Certainly not Rev. James Wallace, then. I can’t think of anyone in that area that would be using just a lion rampant...."

Regardless ... it is a nice find!!


--Guy

 

[ghp95134]

OMG!!! I posted the wrong image!!! That is Benedict Arnold!!! Not KGIII!!

Yeah, I was wondering about the distinct differences in the two profiles: one long & strong; the other short & round. The later two images you posted look spot on.


--Guy

 

[Goldiver]

What an incredible find! Congratulations!

Steve