Damianos metropolitan of . . . (seventh/eighth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). To the right (and presumably to the left), a standing bearded saint holding a book, the likely candidates being St. Kosmas or Damianos, or perhaps St. Paul. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει
Reverse
Inscription in four lines with decoration above. Wreath border.
ΜΙ.
ΝΩΜ..
ΡΟΠ.....
ΙΝΦ. . .
Δαμι[α]νῷ μ[ητ]ροπ[ολιτῇ] ινφ. . .
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). To the right (and presumably to the left), a standing bearded saint holding a book, the likely candidates being St. Kosmas or Damianos, or perhaps St. Paul. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει
Reverse
Inscription in four lines with decoration above. Wreath border.
ΜΙ.
ΝΩΜ..
ΡΟΠ.....
ΙΝΦ. . .
Δαμι[α]νῷ μ[ητ]ροπ[ολιτῇ] ινφ. . .
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1308 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.0 mm |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Δαμιανῷ μητροπολιτῇ . . .
Mother of God, help Damianos metropolitan of . . .
Commentary
Although the name of this bishop's see is located at the end of the inscription, the damage to the seal makes it indecipherable. The last line reads the letters ΙΝ and then perhaps contains the remains of a Φ, but this does not suffice for any known placename. The place name may start at the end of the prior line if μητροπολίτῃ is abbreviated.