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Kosmas (sixth/seventh century)

 
 

Obverse

The Virgin standing, facing, orans, between two crosses. Wreath border.

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. Wreath border.

 - κ - μ - ο - σ

Κοσμᾶ

Obverse

The Virgin standing, facing, orans, between two crosses. Wreath border.

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. Wreath border.

 - κ - μ - ο - σ

Κοσμᾶ

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1694
Diameter 20.0 mm

Translation

Κοσμᾶ.

(Seal of) Kosmas.

Commentary

In his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw collection, Laurent reads Νικολάου (Nicholas) in the cut-off reverse monogram. While this is possible, it is more likely that we have here Kosmas because of the central Ο, a typical feature of Kosmas cruciform monograms, and the apparent lack of an Υ or ΟΥ ligature at the top where we would expect it for Nicholas. However, Nicholas remains an unlikely possibility.