Nikephoros I and Staurakios (803–811)
Obverse
Bust of Nikephoros, bearded, wearing and a crown with a cross and a chlamys pinned on his right shoulder, and holding a cross potent in his right hand and in his left an akakia. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ICIFOROSASILE
Niciforos basile(us)
Reverse
Bust of Staurakios, wearing a crown with by a cross and a chlamys, and seemingly holding a globus cruciger in his right hand and in his left an akakia. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
SAVRACISESPOΘ
Stauracis despo(tes) Θ
Obverse
Bust of Nikephoros, bearded, wearing and a crown with a cross and a chlamys pinned on his right shoulder, and holding a cross potent in his right hand and in his left an akakia. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ICIFOROSASILE
Niciforos basile(us)
Reverse
Bust of Staurakios, wearing a crown with by a cross and a chlamys, and seemingly holding a globus cruciger in his right hand and in his left an akakia. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
SAVRACISESPOΘ
Stauracis despo(tes) Θ
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1642 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 25.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 39.2; Zacos–Veglery, no. 45 (slightly different reading). |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Niciforos basileus. Stauracis despotes.
Nikephoros, basileus. Staurakios, despotes.
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, Vol. 3, Leo III to Nicephorus III (717–1081) (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Nikephoros promoted his son to the rank of co-emperor in December of 803, who succeeded him in 811 before being deposed by his brother-in-law Michael, reigning only two months (26 July to 2 October 811).
Zacos and Veglery have incorrectly read the opening portion of the emperor’s name on the obverse as ICH. There is no channel, so this specimen might be a lead coin of necessity (see similarly a specimen of Eirene, BZS.1958.106.504). The letter Θ is found as a control mark on gold coins issued in the names of Nikephoros and Staurakios (for example, DOC 3.1:2b.1 [pl. 16]).