FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Antiquities Discussion Forums => Seals and Tesserae => Topic started by: Arminius on September 29, 2007, 01:09:02 pm

Title: Lead Seal
Post by: Arminius on September 29, 2007, 01:09:02 pm: Can someone read or identify the issuer of this lead seal:

Byzantine lead seal, unknown issuer, 1000-1100 AD.,
(27-28 mm / 10,15 g),
Obv.: facing bust of Virgin Hodeghetria (Theotokos Hodeghetria), nimbate, wearing tunic, holding infant Christ, nimbate, wearing tunic; in the field, MHTHP (in monogram) - U; whole in dotted border.
Rev.: Θ(EOTO)KE P(OH)Θ(EI) / EN..ΘYS / ..NAΓPAΦ / ..WNΘPA / (HNWN ?) , in five lines.

thanks and regards,

A.
Title: Re: Lead Seal
Post by: pant on October 01, 2007, 07:12:37 am: The time is right: 1040-1050 AD

Text (6 lines): John, protospathar, kensor and anagrapheus of Thrakesion.

regards
Title: Re: Lead Seal
Post by: Arminius on October 01, 2007, 02:47:25 pm: Thanks !

I [imagine/guess and] see these letters:

Rev.: [IWA?] / [ΠPWTOΠA?]Θ / [K]ENC[OY?]S / ANAΓPAΦ / TWN ΘPA / KHCI / [WN ?]
(᾿Ιωάννῃ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ κένσωρι καὶ ἀναγραφεῖ τῶν Θρᾳκησίων - Ioannes, protospatharios kensor and anagrapheus of Thrakesion), text in 6 lines.

Is this the correct reading of the reverse inscription ?

Regards
Title: Re: Lead Seal
Post by: pant on October 01, 2007, 04:12:27 pm: Yes, but ÐPWTO = A
Title: Re: Lead Seal
Post by: wegm on October 10, 2007, 11:06:54 pm: The best reference for Byzantine seals is the seal section of the University of London's Byzantine Prosopography site at http://www.pbw.kcl.ac.uk/pbw/apps/browseseals.jsp It was easier to navigate in its old form, but it might point you in some useful directions.