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Michael monk (ninth/tenth century)

 
 

Obverse

A cross on mounted on a base of three steps. Between concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription along the circumference, beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock and ending with a decoration:

ΚΕΙΥΧΡΙΣΤΕΟΗΘΕΙ

Κ(ύρι)ε Ἰ(ησο)ῦ Χριστὲ βοήθει

Reverse

Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.

ΤΩΣ/
ΔΛΜΙ
ΧΑΗΛΑΜΑ
ΡΤΛ

τῷ σ(ῷ) δούλῳ Μιχαὴλ ἁμαρτωλῷ

Obverse

A cross on mounted on a base of three steps. Between concentric borders of dots, a circular inscription along the circumference, beginning with a cross at twelve o'clock and ending with a decoration:

ΚΕΙΥΧΡΙΣΤΕΟΗΘΕΙ

Κ(ύρι)ε Ἰ(ησο)ῦ Χριστὲ βοήθει

Reverse

Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.

ΤΩΣ/
ΔΛΜΙ
ΧΑΗΛΑΜΑ
ΡΤΛ

τῷ σ(ῷ) δούλῳ Μιχαὴλ ἁμαρτωλῷ

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.70
Diameter 22.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστὲ βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Μιχαὴλ ἁμαρτωλῷ.

Lord Jesus Christ, help your servant, the sinner Michael.

Commentary

The owner's identification of himself as a "sinner" indicates that he was a monk.