Michael II and Theophilos (821–29)
Obverse
Cross potent on three steps. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
EOOAPARSTVVSAPE
En onom(ati) tu patr(os) (καὶ) tu y(io)u (καὶ) tu ag(iu) pne(umatos).
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
ix
HLSΘEOFI
LOSPISV
SILISRO
AIO
Miχaηl (καὶ) Θeofilos pisty basilis Romaion.
Obverse
Cross potent on three steps. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
EOOAPARSTVVSAPE
En onom(ati) tu patr(os) (καὶ) tu y(io)u (καὶ) tu ag(iu) pne(umatos).
Reverse
Inscription of five lines. Border of dots.
ix
HLSΘEOFI
LOSPISV
SILISRO
AIO
Miχaηl (καὶ) Θeofilos pisty basilis Romaion.
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4280 (formerly DO 55.1.4280) |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 29.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 44.1; Zacos–Veglery, no. 51a. |
Translation
En onomati tu patros καὶ tu yiou καὶ tu agiu pneumatos Miχaηl καὶ Θeofilos pisty basilis Romaion.
Michael and Theophilos, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, faithful basileis of the Romans.
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)
- Die byzantinischen Bleisiegel in Österreich, Vol. 1, Kaiserhof (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
Michael II, who ruled from 25 December 820 until 2 October 829, took his son Theophilos as a colleague in May of 821.
Seibt (Bleisiegel, no. 17) has published a variant type that closely resembles the aniconic miliaresion issued by Michael and Theophilos (DOC 3.1:6.4), including the spelling “Θeofile” (see BZS.1958.106.583)