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Basil II and Constantine VIII (976-1025)

 
 

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ bearded, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of five pellets. Sigla at left and right: [(ησοῦ)]ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Circular inscription visible at right. Border of dots.

....ΝΟΥΗΛ

[Ἐμμα]νουήλ.

Reverse

Two figures: at left, a half-length representation of Basil II bearded, wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a loros; and at right a representation of Constantine VIII. He is shown half-length wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a chlamys pinned together with a fibula on the right shoulder. They hold between them a long patriarchal cross. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

ASILCCO........

Basil(ios) c(e) Con[stanti(nos) b(asilis) R(omaion)].

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ bearded, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of five pellets. Sigla at left and right: [(ησοῦ)]ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Circular inscription visible at right. Border of dots.

....ΝΟΥΗΛ

[Ἐμμα]νουήλ.

Reverse

Two figures: at left, a half-length representation of Basil II bearded, wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a loros; and at right a representation of Constantine VIII. He is shown half-length wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a chlamys pinned together with a fibula on the right shoulder. They hold between them a long patriarchal cross. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

ASILCCO........

Basil(ios) c(e) Con[stanti(nos) b(asilis) R(omaion)].

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4308 (formerly DO 55.1.4308)
Diameter 28.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 69.5; Zacos-Veglery, no. 76b.

Translation

Basilios ce Constantinos basilis Romaion.

Basil 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)