I used to read the AER pretty regularly in the 70s and early 80s.  That's when I saw all the assertions of seminality, although the word used wasn't always "seminal."  And, "seminal" need not mean "highly original" or to connote an intention to be hugely influential.  Other words that imply that the author is initiating a new direction, but not taking it too far were also used.  That's what I meant--and I did get tired of the protestation of modesty, when it was well earned.
   
  Sam Bostaph