Seal impression (cast)

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from obverse of the 1st seal of the burgh of St Andrews in Fife, dating from the 15th century.

The seal depicts a bishop holding a crozier. The inscription '+ SIGILLVM. COMMVNE. CIVITATIS : SANCTI : ANDREE' identifies the burgh. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

Seals were used extensively from the 12th century in Scotland by kings, clergy, nobles and towns. In a society where few people could read or write, they provided evidence that documents were authentic.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-744-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  K.1999.846
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: 15th century
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: + SIGILLVM . COMMVNE . CIVITATIS : SANCTI : ANDREE
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 83 mm D
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife, St Andrews
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the obverse of the 1st seal of the city of St Andrews, depicting a bishop, 15th century
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 79, no 252 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 79, no 252. 
• Translations:
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