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Nicholas imperial subdeacon and skeuophylax of St Thomas (tenth century)

 
 

Obverse

A patriarchal cross on four steps. Circular inscription between a double border of dots beginning at seven o'clock:

..ΟΗΘ,ΤΣΔΟΥΛ

[Κ(ύρι)ε] βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ)

Reverse

Inscription of five lines preceded and followed by decoration. Border of dots.

··
νηκο
λ,υποδι
κ/ σκευ
γοφυλ..
γ..μ
··

Νηκολ(άῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) ὑποδιακ(όνῳ) (καὶ) σκευ{γ}οφύλ[α(κι) τ(οῦ)] ἁγ(ίου) [Θο]μ(ᾶ)

Obverse

A patriarchal cross on four steps. Circular inscription between a double border of dots beginning at seven o'clock:

..ΟΗΘ,ΤΣΔΟΥΛ

[Κ(ύρι)ε] βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ)

Reverse

Inscription of five lines preceded and followed by decoration. Border of dots.

··
νηκο
λ,υποδι
κ/ σκευ
γοφυλ..
γ..μ
··

Νηκολ(άῳ) β(ασιλικῷ) ὑποδιακ(όνῳ) (καὶ) σκευ{γ}οφύλ[α(κι) τ(οῦ)] ἁγ(ίου) [Θο]μ(ᾶ)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2950
Diameter 23.0 mm; field: 17.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. DO Seals 5, no. 91.1.

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νηκολάῳ βασιλικῷ ὑποδιακόνῳ καὶ σκευοφύλακι τοῦ ἁγίου Θομᾶ.

Lord, help your servant Nicholas, imperial subdeacon and skeuophylax of St. Thomas.

Commentary

This seal was not published in DO 5, but is parallel to our BZS.1951.31.5.721 (DO Seals 5, no. 91.1; linked to this entry). The last two lines of the reverse can be restored from that seal.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, Vol. 5, Michael VIII to Constantine XI, 1258-1453 (Open in Zotero)