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Basil II and Constantine VIII (976-1025)

 
 
title

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ with a broad forehead and bearded. He wears a tunic and himation and holds the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of five pellets. Sigla at left and right: Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Remains of a circular inscription visible at right. Border of dots.

....ΝΟΥ..

[Ἐμμα]νου[ήλ]

title

Reverse

Two figures: at left, a half-length representation of Basil II bearded, wearing a crown with a cross and a loros; at right a representation of Constantine VIII. He is shown half-length wearing a crown with a cross and a chlamys. They hold between them a long patriarchal cross. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

.....CCOSAI

[Basil(ios)] c(e) Constanti(nos) b(asilis) R(omaion)

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ with a broad forehead and bearded. He wears a tunic and himation and holds the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of five pellets. Sigla at left and right: Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Remains of a circular inscription visible at right. Border of dots.

....ΝΟΥ..

[Ἐμμα]νου[ήλ]

Reverse

Two figures: at left, a half-length representation of Basil II bearded, wearing a crown with a cross and a loros; at right a representation of Constantine VIII. He is shown half-length wearing a crown with a cross and a chlamys. They hold between them a long patriarchal cross. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

.....CCOSAI

[Basil(ios)] c(e) Constanti(nos) b(asilis) R(omaion)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.1658
Diameter 29.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 69.3.
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Basilios ce Constantinos basilis Romaion.

Basil and Constantine, basileis of the Romans.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)