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Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)

 
 

Obverse

Christ seated on a square-backed throne. The upper part of the throne is decorated at left and right with seven pellets. He is shown wearing a tunic and himation and blessing with the right hand and holding a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm is decorated with one pellet. Sigla at left and right: ΙΣ̅ΧΣ̅ : (ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Border of dots.

Reverse

Michael VII standing, wearing a crown with a cross and a loros, an end of which is draped over the left wrist and ornamented with five dots. He holds a labarum in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left hand. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

..ΙΧΑΗΛΑΥΤ,Κ. . .

[Μ]ιχαὴλ αὐτ(ο)κ[ρ(ά)τ(ωρ) Ῥωμ(αίων) Δούκ(ας)]

Obverse

Christ seated on a square-backed throne. The upper part of the throne is decorated at left and right with seven pellets. He is shown wearing a tunic and himation and blessing with the right hand and holding a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm is decorated with one pellet. Sigla at left and right: ΙΣ̅ΧΣ̅ : (ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Border of dots.

Reverse

Michael VII standing, wearing a crown with a cross and a loros, an end of which is draped over the left wrist and ornamented with five dots. He holds a labarum in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left hand. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

..ΙΧΑΗΛΑΥΤ,Κ. . .

[Μ]ιχαὴλ αὐτ(ο)κ[ρ(ά)τ(ωρ) Ῥωμ(αίων) Δούκ(ας)]

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1676
Diameter 30.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 84.6.

Translation

Μιχαὴλ αὐτοκράτωρ Ῥωμαίων Δούκας.

Michael Doukas, emperor of the Romans.

Commentary

On this specimen one can clearly discern that the emperor’s labarum is decorated in the middle with a device consisting of five pellets.

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)