Romanos I, Christophoros, and Constantine VII (922/24–31)
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, bearded, wearing a himation. He has a cross behind his head. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ISSX......
Iηsus Χ[ristus].
Reverse
Three half-length figures, only the center and right visible: in center, Romanos I, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros; at right, Constantine VII, beardless and more diminutive, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. Remains of a circular inscription at right. Border of dots.
. . . OF,CECOSˊR
[Romanos, Xrist]of(oros) ce Constant(inos) b(asilis) R(omaion).
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, bearded, wearing a himation. He has a cross behind his head. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ISSX......
Iηsus Χ[ristus].
Reverse
Three half-length figures, only the center and right visible: in center, Romanos I, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros; at right, Constantine VII, beardless and more diminutive, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. Remains of a circular inscription at right. Border of dots.
. . . OF,CECOSˊR
[Romanos, Xrist]of(oros) ce Constant(inos) b(asilis) R(omaion).
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4299 (formerly DO 55.1.4299) |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 59.1; Zacos–Veglery, no. 66a. |
Translation
Iηsus Χristus.
Romanos, Xristoforos ce Constantinos basilis Romaion.
Jesus Christ.
Romanos, Christophoros, 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, Christophoros, 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 Christophoros. 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).