Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 18 18-21 Dec 2021
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Paulos Mesopotamites, magistros, 1050-1100. Seal (Lead, 23 mm, 10.65 g, 12 h). Θ / ΘЄ/O-Δ/ⲰP/O,
Saint Theodore, nimbate, standing facing, holding spear in his right hand and holding buckler and sword, which is set upon the ground, in his left. Rev. KЄ RΘ / ΠAVΛⲰ / MAΓ,TPO... / MAICⲰΠ/OTAMH/[T]H ("Lord, help Paulos Mesopotamites, magistros") in six lines. Apparently unpublished, but cf. Cheynet/Theodoridis 142. Irregular edge, otherwise, very fine.
Cheynet/Theodoridis published a seal of a Paul Mesopotamites bearing the lower rank of patrikios (no. 142). Its obverse iconography of St. Theodore is identical to our seal, having the same rare variant of the saint's sword set upon the ground and the same small shield instead of the more conventional imagery of the saint resting his left hand on a large shield. This makes the attribution of our seal to the same Paulos Mesopotamites very likely. Since our seal mentions the more elevated rank of magistros, it marks a later stage in his career.
Saint Theodore, nimbate, standing facing, holding spear in his right hand and holding buckler and sword, which is set upon the ground, in his left. Rev. KЄ RΘ / ΠAVΛⲰ / MAΓ,TPO... / MAICⲰΠ/OTAMH/[T]H ("Lord, help Paulos Mesopotamites, magistros") in six lines. Apparently unpublished, but cf. Cheynet/Theodoridis 142. Irregular edge, otherwise, very fine.
Cheynet/Theodoridis published a seal of a Paul Mesopotamites bearing the lower rank of patrikios (no. 142). Its obverse iconography of St. Theodore is identical to our seal, having the same rare variant of the saint's sword set upon the ground and the same small shield instead of the more conventional imagery of the saint resting his left hand on a large shield. This makes the attribution of our seal to the same Paulos Mesopotamites very likely. Since our seal mentions the more elevated rank of magistros, it marks a later stage in his career.