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Constantine komes (tenth/eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of St. Nicholas holding a book. Inscription: .|.Ι̣|Κ̣ΟΛ|ΑΟ|Σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ν]ικολάος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of three lines, preceded and followed by decoration. Border of dots.

  
κε,θ,
κν̅κο
μητι
  

Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)[θ(ει)] Κων(σταντίνῳ) κόμητι

Obverse

Bust of St. Nicholas holding a book. Inscription: .|.Ι̣|Κ̣ΟΛ|ΑΟ|Σ: [ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ν]ικολάος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of three lines, preceded and followed by decoration. Border of dots.

  
κε,θ,
κν̅κο
μητι
  

Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)[θ(ει)] Κων(σταντίνῳ) κόμητι

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1206
Diameter 1.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει Κωνσταντίνῳ κόμητι.

Lord, help Constantine, komes.

Commentary

There is some uncertainty with the reading. Constantine could have been either a komes, a term for a number of subordinate officers in the army and navy, or he could have had the surname Komes or Komites. The absence of a direct article suggests that we should read the word as an office, though we cannot be completely sure.