French Customs Seal 508, Image & Found by James Crombie.
Found in Yorkshire, 16mm.
Small seal with deep circular indentation on both sides, one containing the stylised ligature CI, the other the number 508.
From a distinctive group of seals with various numbers on the reverse. Some have CONTRIBUTIONS around the inner raised edge and possibly IND - an abbreviation of Indirect to give 'Contributions Indirectes' - indirect taxes (French). "Taxes can be divided into direct taxes (taxes on income or property), and indirect taxes (taxes on alcohol and tobacco)." From
'France as a superpower 1700 - 1715'
Confirmation of the letters forming the ligature has been found on
an official French Ministry letter stamp.