FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
Antiquities Discussion Forums => Seals and Tesserae => Topic started by: turanoid on December 25, 2011, 11:59:19 am
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Hi friends, I have difficulties with this seal, I guess it's a byzantine seal,but could anybody tell me what is written on the obverse and reverse?
Thank you in advance.
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Hi,
I suggest that the monogram looks like mongram 61, Justinian II, first reign. Around that I read just IOV - ST? - IN - OV instead of Ioustininanou (?). Experts may have better explanations. Two more of your seals have the same monogram.
byzcoll
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Hi Byzcoll,
You are spot on about the name, but the monogram is invocational - QEOTOKE BOHQEI (Theotokos aid Justin). His office/dignity on the reverse.
Regards
Gert
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The rev. reads 'CILENTIAPIW', so Justin had the ceremonial title of 'silentiarios'.
By the way, this seal would date about 8th century, so it hasn't got anything to do with the emperors named Justin.
Regards
Gert
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For those interested in Byzantine seals the best references can be found in the six volumes of :
"Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art".
From Seals of Emperors and Patriarchs to those of other officials of lesser importance such as protospatharios,strategos, spatharokandidatos,
genikos logothetes,and the almost entire Byzantine administration.
They can make a nice collection and much cheaper than birdies.