Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 16 22-24 May 2021
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Olbianos, imperial spatharios and strategos of Macedonia, 9th century. Seal (Lead, 27 mm, 22.00 g, 12 h). Cruciform monogram of ΘЄOTOKЄ BOHΘЄI; in quadrants, TⲰ / CⲰ / Δ૪/ΛⲰ ("Mother of God, help your servant"). Rev. OΛBIAN/O B' C' S CTP/AT' MAK/ЄΔON, in four lines, branch above. DO Seals I 43.31 (from a different boulloterion). Struck slightly off center on an undersized blank, otherwise, good very fine.
The parallel seal in Dumbarton Oaks very likely belongs to same individual. Although the style and legend placement are slightly different, it has the same monogram type and the same rare personal name and titles. The Dumbarton Oaks editors identify the seal's owner as the strategos of Armeniakon who supported the emperor Michael II against the rebel Thomas the Slav.
The parallel seal in Dumbarton Oaks very likely belongs to same individual. Although the style and legend placement are slightly different, it has the same monogram type and the same rare personal name and titles. The Dumbarton Oaks editors identify the seal's owner as the strategos of Armeniakon who supported the emperor Michael II against the rebel Thomas the Slav.