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Kosmas apo hypaton and general kommerkiarios of the apotheke of Constantinople (685–695)

 
 

Obverse

Emperor (Justinian II) standing, wearing a chlamys and cross-topped crown, holding a globus cruciger in his right hand. Two circular inscriptions, the outer beginning at 12 o'clock.

Κ.ΣΜΠΟΥΠΤ.ΝϗΓΝΙ....ΟΜ...ΚΙΡΙΟΥ
ΠΟΘΗΚΙΣΚΣΤ...ΝΟΥΠΟΛΟΣ

Κ[ο]σμᾶ ἀπὸ ὑπάτ[ω]ν (καὶ) γενι[κοῦ κ]ομ[μερ]κιαρίου ἀποθήκις Κ[ω]νστ[αντ]ινουπόλεος.

Reverse

Flat, showing the imprint of burlap.

Obverse

Emperor (Justinian II) standing, wearing a chlamys and cross-topped crown, holding a globus cruciger in his right hand. Two circular inscriptions, the outer beginning at 12 o'clock.

Κ.ΣΜΠΟΥΠΤ.ΝϗΓΝΙ....ΟΜ...ΚΙΡΙΟΥ
ΠΟΘΗΚΙΣΚΣΤ...ΝΟΥΠΟΛΟΣ

Κ[ο]σμᾶ ἀπὸ ὑπάτ[ω]ν (καὶ) γενι[κοῦ κ]ομ[μερ]κιαρίου ἀποθήκις Κ[ω]νστ[αντ]ινουπόλεος.

Reverse

Flat, showing the imprint of burlap.

Accession number BZS 1958.106.680
Diameter 39.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 23.10; Zacos–Veglery, no. 171a.

Translation

Κοσμᾶ ἀπὸ ὑπάτων καὶ γενικοῦ κομμερκιαρίου ἀποθήκις Κωνσταντινουπόλεος.

(Seal of) Kosmas apo hypaton and general kommerkiarios of the apotheke of Constantinople.

Commentary

Zacos and Veglery reasonably identify the emperor as Justinian II. As on BZS.1951.31.5.1763, the reverse is flat and covered with the imprint of burlap, but on this specimen, oddly, the indiction mark is absent.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)