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Constantine V and Leo IV (751–75)

 
 

Obverse

Cross potent on steps. Circular inscription at left. Indeterminate border.

EOOPR. . .

En onom(ati) tu p(at)r(os) [. . .]

Reverse

Inscription of six lines. Indeterminate border.

COS
AI
OSSLEO.
.SOIASI
LISRO
AIO

Constantinos (καὶ) Leon [pi]stoi basilis Romaion.

Obverse

Cross potent on steps. Circular inscription at left. Indeterminate border.

EOOPR. . .

En onom(ati) tu p(at)r(os) [. . .]

Reverse

Inscription of six lines. Indeterminate border.

COS
AI
OSSLEO.
.SOIASI
LISRO
AIO

Constantinos (καὶ) Leon [pi]stoi basilis Romaion.

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4271 (formerly DO 55.1.4271)
Diameter 31.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 33.2; Zacos–Veglery, no. 36a.

Translation

En onomati tu patros . . . Constantinos καὶ Leon pistoi basilis Romaion.

Constantine and Leo, in the name of the Father [and the Son and the Holy Spirit], faithful basileis of the Romans.

Commentary

The obverse inscription has been left unresolved because it is uncertain as to how it should read. A parallel specimen published in Seyrig, no. 4, is not helpful because of chipping along the edge.

In addition, note S as an abbreviation for καί, as well as the reverse inscription, in which the Greek is expressed in Latin letters. bASILIS is the Latin equivalent of the Greek βασιλεῖς.

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)
  • Les sceaux byzantins de la Collection Henri Seyrig (Open in Zotero)