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Kosmas (eighth century)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (?); in the quarters: .Σ.: τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. No visible border.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Wreath border.

ΟΣ
.ΔΟ.
ΛΧΡΙ
ΤΟΥ

Κοσμᾷ δούλῳ Χριστοῦ

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (?); in the quarters: .Σ.: τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. No visible border.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Wreath border.

ΟΣ
.ΔΟ.
ΛΧΡΙ
ΤΟΥ

Κοσμᾷ δούλῳ Χριστοῦ

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.3693
Diameter 20.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Κοσμᾷ δούλῳ Χριστοῦ.

Theotokos, help your servant Kosmas, servant of Christ.

Commentary

Kosmas calls himself a "servant of Christ," which may indicate his job in some way--perhaps he is a priest or a monk or may merely indicate his piety; unfortunately, this is too general of a phrase to interpret satisfactorily