Watch List notes:

BYZANTINE SEALS, Ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople. John VIII, Xiphilinos, 1064-1075. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 35 mm, 37.04 g, 12 h), Constantinople. + ΘKE BOHΘEI - TΩ CΩ ΔΟΥΛΟ / MP-ΘY The Virgin Theotokos, nimbate, wearing maphorion and holding the facing nimbate Christ child on her lap, seated facing on an elaborate throne. Rev. + ΙΩ APX/ЄПICKΟΠΩ / ΚΩNΠΟ NЄAC / PΩΜHC ΚΑΙ ΟΙ/KOYMЄNIKΩ/ΠΡΙAPXH / -✶- "John, archbishop of Constantinople, the New Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch" in seven lines; the whole within a border of dots. Laurent, Corpus V/I 18. Zacos 17c. Seibt-Zarnitz 5.1.2. Clear and evenly worn. A seal of great historic importance. Nearly very fine.


John Xiphilinos, was born c. 1010 in the Pontic city of Trapezous. He was a friend of Michael Psellos and was considered to be one of the most important personalities of the 11th Century.