Anonymous (eleventh century, second half)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2713 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17 mm |
| Field diameter | 15 mm |
| Condition | No channel. |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1551. |
Obverse
Inscription of three lines, beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ο
ιοσ
οναρ
ὁ βίος ὄναρ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.
α
ρετη
πλτ
οσ
ἀρετὴ πλοῦτος
Translation
ὁ βίος ὄναρ ἀρετὴ πλοῦτος.
Life is a dream, virtue is wealth.
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2713 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17 mm |
| Field diameter | 15 mm |
| Condition | No channel. |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1551. |
Commentary
This specimen has no channel and must have served as a token or tessera, lending credence to Wassiliou-Seibt's suggestion that the owner was a monk or cleric involved in distributing alms or charity, in keeping with the moralizing inscription.
Note that the inscription seems metrical, consisting of two five-syllable hemistichs.