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John . . . kommerkiarios of the apotheke of Constantinople (692/93)

 
 

Obverse

Emperor (Justinian II) standing, wearing a chlamys and crown, and holding a globus cruciger in his right hand. At left and right:  : Ἰ(νδικτιὼν) ϛ'. Remains of a circular inscription beginning at 12 o'clock. Incuse border.

ΑΝΝΟΥ

[Ἰω]άννου . . .

Reverse

Six lines of inscription visible. Incuse border.

.ΟΜ
ΜΡΚΙΑΡ
..ΑΠΟΘΙΚ.
.ΚΩΝΣΤ.
.ΤΙΝΟΥ.
.Λ

[κ]ομμερκιαρ[ίου] ἀποθίκ[ης] Κωνστ[αν]τινου[πό]λ[εως].

Obverse

Emperor (Justinian II) standing, wearing a chlamys and crown, and holding a globus cruciger in his right hand. At left and right:  : Ἰ(νδικτιὼν) ϛ'. Remains of a circular inscription beginning at 12 o'clock. Incuse border.

ΑΝΝΟΥ

[Ἰω]άννου . . .

Reverse

Six lines of inscription visible. Incuse border.

.ΟΜ
ΜΡΚΙΑΡ
..ΑΠΟΘΙΚ.
.ΚΩΝΣΤ.
.ΤΙΝΟΥ.
.Λ

[κ]ομμερκιαρ[ίου] ἀποθίκ[ης] Κωνστ[αν]τινου[πό]λ[εως].

Accession number BZS 1955.1.4376
Diameter 29.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 23.8a; Zacos–Veglery, no. 182a.

Translation

Ἰωάννου . . . κομμερκιαρίου ἀποθίκης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως.

John . . . kommerkiarios of the apotheke of Constantinople.

Commentary

Indiction 6 during the reign of Justinian II could be either 692/3 or 707/8, but for reasons of design the former is preferred.

In the same year, a John, apo hypaton, was general kommerkiarios of the apotheke of Isauria. See SBS 6 (1999): 146 (no. 2053) and 148 (no. 1584).

Zacos and Veglery's assumption that this seal is parallel with BZS.1958.106.669 has here been rejected, given the different size of the letters in the name.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
  • Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)