Very odd lead object. Byzantine seal? Lead version of coin?

[Holding_History]

The obverse seems to have a cross or an X, and the reverse has a monogram. Since there is stuff on both sides does that rule out it being a seal? I have several other seals that I may post later. Not quite as interesting though. Is it possible that it is a lead byzantine coin?
Thanks!
Nathan

[Gert]

Hi Nathan,
This is a Byzantine seal. Probably 6th-7th century. Byzantine seals are always double sided, Roman seals are usually one sided. But you can check for yourself if there's a channel running through the center - I think there must be because the breaks in the flan suggests its presence.
Both sides have a monogram. The obv. a cruciform monogram, the rev. a block monogram. Most probably, one will spell out the owner's name, and the other his office or dignity. I think that maybe the monogram on the left should be rotated 90 degrees to the left, making the letter at the left extremity a K - is that right?

Curious about the other lead seals!
Regards
Gert

[Joe Sermarini]

I have acquired a "collection" of about 200 Byzantine seals.  I find them interesting but attribution is extremely difficult.  I have several references, I think nine volumes total.  The only way I know to attribute these is to flip through the pages until I see a match (and most often I don't find a match at all).  They are interesting but an attribution nightmare.  If I ever find the time to work them, I suspect that I will learn a lot from the experience.