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Anonymous (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Standing figure of St. Basil blessing, and holding a book. Inscription: ||ΑΣ|ΙΛ|Ι|Ε|Ο|Σ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines. Border of dots.

γραφ
νσφρα
γιδ,τονθυ̅
θυτγρ
αφ

Γραφῶν σφραγῖδα τὸν Θεοῦ θύτην γράφω

Obverse

Standing figure of St. Basil blessing, and holding a book. Inscription: ||ΑΣ|ΙΛ|Ι|Ε|Ο|Σ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines. Border of dots.

γραφ
νσφρα
γιδ,τονθυ̅
θυτγρ
αφ

Γραφῶν σφραγῖδα τὸν Θεοῦ θύτην γράφω

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4976
Diameter 24.0 mm

Translation

Γραφῶν σφραγῖδα τὸν Θεοῦ θύτην γράφω.

I have inscribed the priest of God as the seal of my correspondence.

Commentary

Dodecasyllabic. We may surmise that the owner's name was Basil and that he chose the image of the eponymous saint to safeguard his correspondence.