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Theopistos apo eparchon (eighth century)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: τ|λσ. Border of dots.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ δούλῳ σου

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. In the quarters: ΑΠΟΕΠΑ|ΡΧΩΝ. Border of dots.

ε - θ - ι - ο - π -  - τ - 

Θεοπίστῳ ἀπὸ ἐπάρχων

Obverse

Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: τ|λσ. Border of dots.

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ δούλῳ σου

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. In the quarters: ΑΠΟΕΠΑ|ΡΧΩΝ. Border of dots.

ε - θ - ι - ο - π -  - τ - 

Θεοπίστῳ ἀπὸ ἐπάρχων

Accession number BZS.1947.2.575
Diameter 30.0 mm; field: 18.0 mm

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ δούλῳ σου Θεοπίστῳ ἀπὸ ἐπάρχων.

Theotokos, help your servant Theopistos apo eparchon.

Commentary

In his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw collection, Laurent read the reverse monogram as Θεογνώστου (Theognostos) in the genitive, interpreting the ligature on the right arm of the cruciform as a Γ-Σ and alleging that the Ν is worn away from the seal, however, it seems more likely that this is a Π-Σ ligature, and that the seal should be read as Θεοπίστῳ in the dative.