When this first came out of the ground I thought for sure it was a cannonball, but ..

[Bill D. (VA)]

.... that's obviously not what it is. The strange thing was that it was recovered in the middle of a small spot in the middle of a huge field that had been producing a lot mid-1600s to early 1700s artifacts with no modern junk, so it make no sense. And no, that's not a date although it's quite a coincidence the marking says "1711". It's not made from iron (maybe lead), and it's about 6" in diameter and weighs 20 pounds. Any ideas?

 

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[b3y0nd3r]

COOL LICENSE PLATE! Cut sliver! Could get infected.

 

[cw0909]

are the dots/spots on the sides filled with dirt or solid

im not an expert in cannonballs,found this
Military History: Exploding Cannonball, musket balls, fuse holder

cannonball guy pg
Cannon bore, shot, and shell diameters for smoothbore guns

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

are the dots/spots on the sides filled with dirt or solid

im not an expert in cannonballs,found this
Military History: Exploding Cannonball, musket balls, fuse holder

cannonball guy pg
Cannon bore, shot, and shell diameters for smoothbore guns

They are actually holes, and seem to resemble the tong holes discussed in your first link. Very interesting, but I still don't believe this is artillery related. Thanks for your assistance.

 

[TomPA]

Bill, that's a head-scratcher for sure. Why are you sure that the 1711 is not a date? Are you thinking that the numerical style is newer? And can you describe the hole as to depth, taper (or not), threads?, etc.

And here's a thought that makes no sense. Some sort of huge fishing weight for commercial fishing or saltwater down-rigger ball?

 

[Peyton Manning]

looks like something I would use as a counterweight for a barn door

 

[NOLA_Ken]

looks like something I would use as a counterweight for a barn door

My thoughts as well, gate weight or barn door weight

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Maybe a flyball from an Antique steam engine tractor?Don't know what they were made from, or the weight, just an idea.