Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 17 14-16 Aug 2021
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Gennadios, servant of God, chartoularios, 7th century. Seal (Lead, 22 mm, 17.83 g, 12 h). +ΓЄN/NAΔI૪ / ΔOVΛ૪ / T૪ Θ૪ in four lines. Rev. Cruciform monogram XAPTOVΛAPIOV between crosses In lower register, two horses: one grazing, the other with its head raised. Seibt, Museum August Kestner 5. An intriguing seal with an exceptional depiction on its reverse. Good very fine.
The parallel seal from the Zarnitz collection published by Seibt evidently belongs to the same individual, but it was struck with a different boulleterion: on this example, the horse on the right is grazing. A chartoularios denotes an administrative official in one of the Byzantine state institutions or in the clergy. In his comment, Seibt proposes that the horses are indicative of the institution where Gennadios was active: the extensive ranches that were used to rear horses and pack animals for the army, the imperial stables, or the dromos, the postal system.
The parallel seal from the Zarnitz collection published by Seibt evidently belongs to the same individual, but it was struck with a different boulleterion: on this example, the horse on the right is grazing. A chartoularios denotes an administrative official in one of the Byzantine state institutions or in the clergy. In his comment, Seibt proposes that the horses are indicative of the institution where Gennadios was active: the extensive ranches that were used to rear horses and pack animals for the army, the imperial stables, or the dromos, the postal system.