Skip to Content

Michael II (820–21)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of Michael II, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. He holds a cross potent in his hand and in his left an akakia. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

.ixahlas

Miχaηl bas(ileus).

Reverse

Blank.

Obverse

Bust of Michael II, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. He holds a cross potent in his hand and in his left an akakia. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

.ixahlas

Miχaηl bas(ileus).

Reverse

Blank.

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4279 (formerly DO 55.1.4279)
Diameter 23.0 mm; field: 17.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 43.2; Zacos–Veglery, no. 50b.

Translation

Miχaηl basileus.

Michael, basileus.

Commentary

Michael II, who ruled from 25 December 820 until 2 October 829, took his son Theophilos as a colleague in May of 821. This seal therefore dates to the opening months of his reign.

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)