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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 a book in the left hand. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of a row of two pellets. The dimensions of the representation are unusually large; Christ’s face and body fill most of the field. Sigla visible at right: [(ησοῦ)ς] Χ(ριστό)ς. Remains of a circular inscription at right. Border of dots.

.......ΗΛ

[Ἐμμανου]ήλ.

Reverse

Two figures (only one visible): at left, a half-length representation of Basil II bearded, wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a loros. He holds with the missing figure at right a long patriarchal cross. No epigraphy visible. Border of dots.

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ bearded, wearing a tunic and himation and holding a book in the left hand. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of a row of two pellets. The dimensions of the representation are unusually large; Christ’s face and body fill most of the field. Sigla visible at right: [(ησοῦ)ς] Χ(ριστό)ς. Remains of a circular inscription at right. Border of dots.

.......ΗΛ

[Ἐμμανου]ήλ.

Reverse

Two figures (only one visible): at left, a half-length representation of Basil II bearded, wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a loros. He holds with the missing figure at right a long patriarchal cross. No epigraphy visible. Border of dots.

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4311 (formerly DO 55.1.4311)
Diameter 29.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 69.9.

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)