Zeus Numismatics
Auction 13 31 Oct 2020
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1099. Euphemios archbishop (of Hierapolis in Phrygia, Asia Minor).
(7th/8th cent.)
Obverse: Apostle Philipp standing, facial, nimbate, beardless, wearing roman chiton and holding a cruciger stick, a tree at his right, sigla, Ο ΑΓΙΟC-ΦΙΛΙ-ΠΠΟC (saint Philip), all within wreath border.
Reverse: Elaborate cruciform monogram, most probably resolved as, ΕΥΦΗΜΙῼ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙCΚΟΠῼ (of Euphemios archbishop), all within wreath border.
Undoughtedly this is an archbishoprical seal, as of the monogram on reverse. In combination of the saint in obverse, i.e. apostle Philip, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, who evidently suffered martyrdom in the famous town of Hierapolis in Phrygia, west Asia Minor (cf. BHG 1517-1530c), the see of Euphemios was with certainty Hierapolis, who had saint Philipp as patron saint.
Hierapolis (Ἱεράπολις, lit. "Holy City") was an ancient Greek city located on hot springs in classical Phrygia in southwestern Anatolia. Its ruins are adjacent to modern Pamukkale in Turkey and currently comprise an archaeological museum designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site has the Tomb of Philip the Apostle.
A beautiful, nicely preserved seal with special historical importance!
Condition: Extremely Fine
Weight: 37.40 gr
Diameter: 32 mm
(7th/8th cent.)
Obverse: Apostle Philipp standing, facial, nimbate, beardless, wearing roman chiton and holding a cruciger stick, a tree at his right, sigla, Ο ΑΓΙΟC-ΦΙΛΙ-ΠΠΟC (saint Philip), all within wreath border.
Reverse: Elaborate cruciform monogram, most probably resolved as, ΕΥΦΗΜΙῼ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙCΚΟΠῼ (of Euphemios archbishop), all within wreath border.
Undoughtedly this is an archbishoprical seal, as of the monogram on reverse. In combination of the saint in obverse, i.e. apostle Philip, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, who evidently suffered martyrdom in the famous town of Hierapolis in Phrygia, west Asia Minor (cf. BHG 1517-1530c), the see of Euphemios was with certainty Hierapolis, who had saint Philipp as patron saint.
Hierapolis (Ἱεράπολις, lit. "Holy City") was an ancient Greek city located on hot springs in classical Phrygia in southwestern Anatolia. Its ruins are adjacent to modern Pamukkale in Turkey and currently comprise an archaeological museum designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site has the Tomb of Philip the Apostle.
A beautiful, nicely preserved seal with special historical importance!
Condition: Extremely Fine
Weight: 37.40 gr
Diameter: 32 mm