Constantine komes (tenth/eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of St. Nicholas holding a book. Inscription: .|.Ι̣|Κ̣ΟΛ|ΑΟ|Σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ν]ικολάος. Border of dots.
Obverse
Bust of St. Nicholas holding a book. Inscription: .|.Ι̣|Κ̣ΟΛ|ΑΟ|Σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ν]ικολάος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of three lines, preceded and followed by decoration. Border of dots.
κε,θ,
κν̅κο
μητι
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)[θ(ει)] Κων(σταντίνῳ) κόμητι
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1206 |
---|---|
Diameter | 1.0 mm |
Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Κωνσταντίνῳ κόμητι.
Lord, help Constantine, komes.
Commentary
There is some uncertainty with the reading. Constantine could have been either a komes, a term for a number of subordinate officers in the army and navy, or he could have had the surname Komes or Komites. The absence of a direct article suggests that we should read the word as an office, though we cannot be completely sure.