Coins, Historical Medals and Antiquities

Romano-British, 1st-2nd cent. AD, a tinned bronze Seal Box Lid, 30mm long by 19mm wide, piriform in shape, decorated with a separately moulded phallus with an enamelled head fixed by a rivet (cf. Hattatt 150). In very fine condition £60-£80

Provenance: From an East Anglian private collection.

Seal boxes, used by the military, were attached by cords to a package with a wax seal inside the box which prevented any unauthorised tampering with the contents. The phallus was a symbol of good luck and gain divine protection