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: |ι̅ο| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Πρ(όδρομος). Within a border of dots, a circular inscription along the circumference beginning at eight o'clock:
κε̅ο....τσΔ
Κ(ύρι)ε βο[ήθει] τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Obverse
Bust of St. John the Baptist holding a staff cross and offering a blessing. Inscription on either side: |ι̅ο| : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Πρ(όδρομος). Within a border of dots, a circular inscription along the circumference beginning at eight o'clock:
κε̅ο....τσΔ
Κ(ύρι)ε βο[ήθει] τῷ σῷ δούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines, a decoration below. Border of dots.
Ι̅,ˊσπ
θκεερ
μηνευτη
ρμεον
Ἰω(άννῃ) β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθ(αρίῳ) κε δ(ι)ερμηνευτῇ Ῥωμέον
Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.833 |
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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.