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Leo IV and Constantine VI (776–80)

 
 

Obverse

Cross potent on four steps. Circular inscription. Wreath border.

EOOPRSSVVSA,IS

En onom(ati) tu p(at)r(o)s (καὶ) tu y(io)u (καὶ) tu a(g)iu b(ne)u(mato)s.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines. Wreath border.

LEO
SCOS
IOSP
ISOIASI
LISRO
AIO

Leon (ce) Const[a]ntinos pistoi basilis Romaion.

Obverse

Cross potent on four steps. Circular inscription. Wreath border.

EOOPRSSVVSA,IS

En onom(ati) tu p(at)r(o)s (καὶ) tu y(io)u (καὶ) tu a(g)iu b(ne)u(mato)s.

Reverse

Inscription of six lines. Wreath border.

LEO
SCOS
IOSP
ISOIASI
LISRO
AIO

Leon (ce) Const[a]ntinos pistoi basilis Romaion.

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4277 (formerly DO 55.1.4277)
Diameter 39.0 mm; field: 30.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 34.1; Zacos–Veglery, no. 37.

Translation

En onomati tu patros καὶ tu yiou καὶ tu agiu bneumatos Leon ce Constantinos pistoi basilis Romaion.

Leo and Constantine, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, faithful basileis of the Romans.

Commentary

Aniconic miliaresia were struck in the names of Leo IV and Constantine VI between 776 and 780 (DOC 3.1:3.4 [pl. 12]).

On the obverse, note that PATROS is abbreviated PRS, and PNEUMATOS as bUS, with bU retrograde for PN (see also BZS.1958.106.581 and BZS.1958.106.589).

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)
  • Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, Vol. 3, Leo III to Nicephorus III (717–1081) (Open in Zotero)