Robert of Courtenay (1221-1228)
Obverse
The emperor seated on a sellion. He wears a crown and imperial garments and holds a cross-topped scepter in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Circular inscription, between a double border of dots.
ΡΟΒΕΡΤΟΣ D ΕΣΠΟΤΗϚ
Ῥοβέρτος dεσπότης
Reverse
The emperor on horseback, wearing armor and holding a sword in the right hand and a shield in the left. Circular inscription, between a double border of dots.
ROB,TDGRAIMATOR...ANI
Rob(er)t(us) D(e)i gra(tia) imp(er)ator [Rom]ani(ae)
Obverse
The emperor seated on a sellion. He wears a crown and imperial garments and holds a cross-topped scepter in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Circular inscription, between a double border of dots.
ΡΟΒΕΡΤΟΣ D ΕΣΠΟΤΗϚ
Ῥοβέρτος dεσπότης
Reverse
The emperor on horseback, wearing armor and holding a sword in the right hand and a shield in the left. Circular inscription, between a double border of dots.
ROB,TDGRAIMATOR...ANI
Rob(er)t(us) D(e)i gra(tia) imp(er)ator [Rom]ani(ae)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2938 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 45.0 mm; field: 39.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 98.1. |
Translation
Ῥοβέρτος δεσπότης. Robertus Dei gratia imperator Romaniae.
Robert, despotes. Robert, by the Grace of God, emperor of Romania.
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)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
- Drei in Bulgarien gefundene Bleisiegel lateinischer Kaiser von Konstantinopel: Historische Interpretation (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
For a similar seal see now the specimen published by Gjuzelev, “Drei Bleisiegel,” 40–41. The seal was found in 1978 during excavations at Trnovo. It is part of the collection of the Historical Museum, Veliko Trnovo.