Ipswich, first common seal, 1200

Ipswich, first common seal, 1200. It depicts a sailing vessel circa 1200. The earliest representation of a rudder of modern form, i.e. with the blade wholly aft of the rudder-post and slung to the after side of the stern-post by pintles and gudgeons, in any European vessel. Inscription obverse: 'S' COMVNITATIS . VILLE . GYPEWICI'. Two casts mounted on a emulsioned plywood backboard with a label.