Zeus Numismatics
Auction 1 17 Nov 2019
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Byzantine lead seal of Theodoros imperial ostiarios (8th/9th cent.)
Obverse: Invocative cruciform monogram, inscribed in four corners, ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΗΘΕΙ ΤΩ CΩ ΔΟΥΛΩ = Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ (Mother of God, help your servant), all within wreath border.
Reverse: Inscription in 4 lines, following a cross, all within wreath border: +ΘΕΟ/ΔΩΡΩ ΒΑ/CΙΛΙΚ(Ω) ΟCΤ/ΙΑΡΙΩ = Θεοδώρῳ βασιλικῷ ὀστιαρίῳ (Theodoros imperial ostiarios).
An ostiarius, a Latin word sometimes anglicized as ostiary but often literally translated as porter or doorman, originally was a servant or guard posted at the entrance of a building. Theodoros, the owner of the present seal, was in charge of the entrance in the imperial palace in Constantinople.
Condition: Very Fine
Weight: 22.69 gr
Diameter: 31 mm
Obverse: Invocative cruciform monogram, inscribed in four corners, ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΗΘΕΙ ΤΩ CΩ ΔΟΥΛΩ = Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ (Mother of God, help your servant), all within wreath border.
Reverse: Inscription in 4 lines, following a cross, all within wreath border: +ΘΕΟ/ΔΩΡΩ ΒΑ/CΙΛΙΚ(Ω) ΟCΤ/ΙΑΡΙΩ = Θεοδώρῳ βασιλικῷ ὀστιαρίῳ (Theodoros imperial ostiarios).
An ostiarius, a Latin word sometimes anglicized as ostiary but often literally translated as porter or doorman, originally was a servant or guard posted at the entrance of a building. Theodoros, the owner of the present seal, was in charge of the entrance in the imperial palace in Constantinople.
Condition: Very Fine
Weight: 22.69 gr
Diameter: 31 mm