Romanos I, Christopher, and Constantine VII (922 / 924–931)
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, bearded, wearing a tunic and himation, and holding a book in his left hand. He has a cross behind his head. Remains of a circular inscription at right. Border of dots.
.......RISS
[Iηsus X]ristus
Reverse
Three half-length figures, of which only the left and center are visible: in center, Romanos I, bearded, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros; at left, Christophoros, beardless and more diminutive than Romanos, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.
ROAˊXRISOF,C. . .
Roman(os), Χristof(oros) c[e Constant(inos) b(asilis) R(omaion)]
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, bearded, wearing a tunic and himation, and holding a book in his left hand. He has a cross behind his head. Remains of a circular inscription at right. Border of dots.
.......RISS
[Iηsus X]ristus
Reverse
Three half-length figures, of which only the left and center are visible: in center, Romanos I, bearded, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros; at left, Christophoros, beardless and more diminutive than Romanos, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.
ROAˊXRISOF,C. . .
Roman(os), Χristof(oros) c[e Constant(inos) b(asilis) R(omaion)]
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1654 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 59.2; Zacos–Veglery, no. 66b. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Iηsus Xristus. Romanos, Χristoforos ce Constantinos basilis Romaion.
Jesus Christ. Romanos, Christopher, and Constantine, 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)
- 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)
- Catalogue des monnaies byzantines de la Bibliothèque nationale (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Romanos I’s son, Christopher, was crowned augustus by Constantine VII on 20 May 921 and died in 931. The dating is based upon a novel promulgated in April of 922 in the names of Romanos, Constantine, and Christopher. Grierson has assigned to the period ca. 930 gold coins depicting the three emperors together together (DOC 3.2:8.1 [pl. 36]; BNC 2: p. 562).