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John (eleventh century, second half)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of St. Basil holding the book and offering a blessing. Inscription on either side: |||σιλ|ε|ι|ο|σ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Βασίλειος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of four lines beginning with a cross. Decorations above and below. Border of dots.

  
ι̅ν
νσε
προστ
τ,γιν
  

Ἰωάννου, ὥσ(ι)ε, προστάτ(ης) γίνου

Obverse

Bust of St. Basil holding the book and offering a blessing. Inscription on either side: |||σιλ|ε|ι|ο|σ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Βασίλειος. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of four lines beginning with a cross. Decorations above and below. Border of dots.

  
ι̅ν
νσε
προστ
τ,γιν
  

Ἰωάννου, ὥσ(ι)ε, προστάτ(ης) γίνου

Accession number BZS.1958.106.5677
Diameter 20.0 mm; field: 14.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 1021.

Translation

Ἰωάννου, ὥσιε, προστάτης γίνου.

O holy one, be John's guardian.

Commentary

Note the superfluous abbreviation over the name John in the first line of the reverse. There may also be a contraction at work in ὥσιε (ὦ ὅσιε).