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Details
LOT 0078
Roman Lead Ingot with Inscription
1ST CENTURY AD
20 1/2" (40 kg total, 52cm with stand).
A rectangular lead ingot with chamfered sides, indented panel to the upper face with reserved inscription 'METALLO M[.]SSALINI' (from the mine of Messallinus); mounted on a custom-made stand.
Provenance
Ex North London gentleman; formerly in a important private Dorset collection, formed 1970.
Published
Hanel, N. et al. Metallum Messallini - A New Roman Lead Ingot from the Danube Provinces, in Metalla 2018.
Footnotes
The mould mark metallo Messallini is unusual on Roman-period ingots. It appears to refer to the Illyrian lead mines of Marcus Valerius Messalla Messallinus, who was consul in 3 BC and governor of the province of Illyricum from 6 AD. The mines were possibly a gift from Emperor Augustus (who owned mines in that region) to Messallinus for his service.
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