Zeus Numismatics
Auction 10 12 Jul 2020
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An anonymous byzantine lead seal (11th cent.)
Obverse: Archangel Michael standing, facial, nimbate, in military garments, holding a sceptre and cruciger globus, traces of columnar inscription: Ο ΜΙ-ΧΑ(ΗΛ)= Ὁ Μιχαὴλ (Saint Michael), all within dotted border.
Reverse: Inscription in 4 lines between decorative patterns with cross, OYCΦΡΑΓ(ΙC)/ΕΙΜΙΤΗΝ/ΓΡΑΦ(ΗΝ)ΓΝΩ/CHΒΛΕΠ(ΩΝ)= Οὗ σφραγὶς εἰμί, τὴν γραφὴν γνώσῃ βλέπων (Of whom I am the seal, you will understand looking at the script), all within a dotted border.
It is to note that the whole inscription consists a metric iambic twelve-syllable verse. The anonymous seals, of which we encounter several types, where in use during all byzantine period, while this special type mainly during 11th-12th cent.
Bibliography: Wassiliou-Seibt, Alexandra-Kyriaki. Corpus Der Byzantinischen Siegel Mit Metrischen Legenden Teil 2: N - Sphragis. Vienna: österreichischen Akademie der Wisseschaften, 2015.
Condition: Very Fine
Weight: 15.10 gr
Diameter: 29 mm
Obverse: Archangel Michael standing, facial, nimbate, in military garments, holding a sceptre and cruciger globus, traces of columnar inscription: Ο ΜΙ-ΧΑ(ΗΛ)= Ὁ Μιχαὴλ (Saint Michael), all within dotted border.
Reverse: Inscription in 4 lines between decorative patterns with cross, OYCΦΡΑΓ(ΙC)/ΕΙΜΙΤΗΝ/ΓΡΑΦ(ΗΝ)ΓΝΩ/CHΒΛΕΠ(ΩΝ)= Οὗ σφραγὶς εἰμί, τὴν γραφὴν γνώσῃ βλέπων (Of whom I am the seal, you will understand looking at the script), all within a dotted border.
It is to note that the whole inscription consists a metric iambic twelve-syllable verse. The anonymous seals, of which we encounter several types, where in use during all byzantine period, while this special type mainly during 11th-12th cent.
Bibliography: Wassiliou-Seibt, Alexandra-Kyriaki. Corpus Der Byzantinischen Siegel Mit Metrischen Legenden Teil 2: N - Sphragis. Vienna: österreichischen Akademie der Wisseschaften, 2015.
Condition: Very Fine
Weight: 15.10 gr
Diameter: 29 mm