Kievan Rus. Boris Vseslavich (Polotsk, 1101-1128). PB seal with St. Duke Boris. Huletski/Doroshkevich #40A. PB. g. 1.59 mm. 13.00 VF.
This is a monetary lead seal that was used for fur money in Kievan Rus' (11-12 th centuries). Thus, dukes could exploit their monetary regalia in the absence of silver coinage. Circulation of sealed fur bundles is witnessed by an Arabic traveller, Abu Hamid al-Gharnati, as well as some other authors, in the middle of the 12th century.