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Helen Kourkouise (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin, nimbate, holding Christ in her left arm. No epigraphy or border visible.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines (top line is off the flan). Border of dots.

. . .
ΤΗΣΗΔ,.
ΛΕΝΗΕΣ.
ΗΑΤ,ΚΟΥ
ΚΗΣΗ

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῇ σῇ δούλῃ λένῃ βεστηα (?) τῇ Κουρκουήσῃ

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin, nimbate, holding Christ in her left arm. No epigraphy or border visible.

Reverse

Inscription in five lines (top line is off the flan). Border of dots.

. . .
ΤΗΣΗΔ,.
ΛΕΝΗΕΣ.
ΗΑΤ,ΚΟΥ
ΚΗΣΗ

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῇ σῇ δούλῃ λένῃ βεστηα (?) τῇ Κουρκουήσῃ

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4552
Diameter 22.0 mm

Translation

Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῇ σῇ δούλῃ Ἑλένῃ βεστηα (?) τῇ Κουρκουήσῃ.

Theotokos, help your servant Helen Kourkouise, vestia (?).

Commentary

It is unclear what title she holds--perhaps it is vestia, a female version of vestes, although if what appears to be an article before the family name is actually the end of the title, the reading would be vestitatisa,  a female version of vestites