Watch List notes:

BYZANTINE SEALS. Empire of Trebizond. Monastery of Panagia Theoskepastos, circa 14th-15th century. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 36 mm, 27.29 g, 12 h). H/ΘE/OC/KE - ΠA/CT/O/C Nimbate and orans Theotokos (Virgin Mary) standing facing. Rev. (OAΓ)/Λ/ΓE/(ωP)/ ΓΙ/O/C - (OAΓ)/θE/OΔ/ω/PO/C St. George, holding sword and scabbard, and St. Theodore, holding spear and shield set on ground, standing facing. Laurent, Corpus, V/1, 1295. Zacos II 790 (from the same bulloterion). Well entered and complete. Bang at 2h on the reverse field, otherwise, very fine.


This seal was probably accompanying the letters sent from the famous monastery of Panagia Theoskepastos, built outside Trabzon during the reign of Alexios III Megas Komnenos (1349-1390). The sons of Alexios III, and THE future emperors, Manuel III and Alexios IV Megas Comnenos were buried in the monastery.