Found at a gypsy camp site

[MattinMO]

Hello! Found this whatsit in a field that was supposed to have gypsies living on it years ago. It is lead, dime size in diameter and about 5/16" thick. The one side is clearly marked "300". The other side looks as though it may have a "300" on the bottom and possibly some more writing. This field also produce a 1907 barber half on the same hunt. I am interested to get some info on this one. Thanks guys!

 

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[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

M,

time to start cleaning that puppy up, and finding what the other
wording is.

have a good un...........

 

[hollowpointred]

maybe a weight? could the 300 be 300 grams?

 

[Burdie]

property marker I agree more cleaning would be helpful. Burdie

 

[1171HP]

Looks like a lead railroad seal to me.

 

[MattinMO]

Well, I cant clean it to reveal any more than what is showing. I can make out "MO" as well as an "A" with possible an "X" next to it. Missouri Tax

It won't make the 300 gram weight requirement.

I do like the idea of a railroad seal 1171HP. This was dug about 35 yards from a now non-existent rail line. I have looked around on here and cant seem to find anymore info on lead railroad seals. Would you know when and what they were used for?

 

[Gypsy Heart]

It could be a bale/trade seal. Bale seals were single disc seals, rather than two disc seals, and were also used to identify textiles, as well as parcels and bales of trade goods. The obverse would typically display a city's arms, and the reverse would record data such as the length or width of fabric or the weight of a parcel.


Lead seals such as cloth seals and bale seals were widely used in Europe between the 13th and 19th centuries as a means of identification and as a component of regulation and quality control. Cloth seals appear to be the most thoroughly documented type of seal. Cloth seals were typically two disc seals joined by a connecting strip. These were intended to be folded around each side of a textile and stamped closed, in a manner similar to that in which coins were stamped.

 

[Leon]

maybe a weight? could the 300 be 300 grams?

That was my only guess also..
Good luck on a positive ID, & Happy hunting~