Identifying lead and pewter
Soft, heavy, and dull gray.
Lead and lead-tin alloys (pewter) are soft enough to mark with a fingernail and very heavy for their size. They corrode to a dull grey or white powdery oxide, not green.
Cast lead tokens, weights, seal matrices, and pilgrim badges are common finds, as are cloth seals — small folded tags that once certified textiles and carry stamps worth reading closely.
Because it is soft, lead takes crisp detail from a mold but wears quickly — sharp detail with little wear can suggest a later cast. A white, heavily powdered surface is active corrosion and wants dry storage.
Handle lead with ordinary care: wash your hands afterwards and keep the powdery oxide away from food and children. Weigh every lead object — mass is often the most diagnostic thing about it.