gap between the side faces 7 of the starter bar head 4 and the side walls 3 of the continuous casting mold 1 the cover part 10 of the seal 8 covering the front face 9 of the starter bar head has a greater wall thickness than the side parts 11 of the seal 8 this cover part 10 also may include an opening such that molten steel can reliably enter the anchoring recess 5 of the starter bar head 4 thus forming a reliable anchorage according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig1 the side parts 11 of the seal 8 in terms of height extend over a distance that is larger than the depth 14 of the anchoring recess 5 such that the anchoring recess 5 likewise is reliably sealed and molten steel cannot escape through the same the peripheral bead 12 provides a limit for the insertion of the seal 8 occurring prior to introducing the starter bar head 4 into the continuous casting mold 1 and at the same time reliably enables inspection of the snug fit of the seal 8 when introducing the starter bar head 4 into the continuous casting mold 1 the starter bar head 4 is threaded in until it contacts the cover part 10 of the seal 8 whereupon it is.