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John imperial protospatharios and interpreter of the Romans (tenth/eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of St. John the Baptist holding a staff cross and offering a blessing. Inscription on either side: |ι̅ο| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Πρ(όδρομος). Within a border of dots, a circular inscription along the circumference beginning at eight o'clock:

κε̅ο....τσΔ

Κ(ύρι)ε βο[ήθει] τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of four lines, a decoration below. Border of dots.

Ι̅,ˊσπ
θκεερ
μηνευτη
ρμεον
  

Ἰω(άννῃ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) κε δ(ι)ερμηνευτῇ Ῥωμέον

Obverse

Bust of St. John the Baptist holding a staff cross and offering a blessing. Inscription on either side: |ι̅ο| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Πρ(όδρομος). Within a border of dots, a circular inscription along the circumference beginning at eight o'clock:

κε̅ο....τσΔ

Κ(ύρι)ε βο[ήθει] τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription of four lines, a decoration below. Border of dots.

Ι̅,ˊσπ
θκεερ
μηνευτη
ρμεον
  

Ἰω(άννῃ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) κε δ(ι)ερμηνευτῇ Ῥωμέον

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.833
Diameter 26.0 mm; field: 20.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ κε διερμηνευτῇ Ῥωμέον.

Lord, help your servant John, imperial protospatharios and interpreter of the Romans.