Skip to Content

Manuel . . . patrikios (?) (tenth/eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin with medallion before her. Inscription: Μ̅Θ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εοῦ). Wreath border.

 

Reverse

Arabic inscription in four lines. Wreath border.

بالله. إمانوويل عبنده ؟ بتق

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin with medallion before her. Inscription: Μ̅Θ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εοῦ). Wreath border.

 

Reverse

Arabic inscription in four lines. Wreath border.

بالله. إمانوويل عبنده ؟ بتق

Accession number BZS.1958.106.4528
Diameter 22.0 mm

Translation

بالله. إمانوويل عبنده ؟ بتق

God. Emmanuel . . . patrikios (?)

Commentary

Though it has an extra و from the usual spelling, the name Manuel is clearly present in the second line of the Arabic inscription. The third line is mysterious, though perhaps contains a family name or title.

The last line of the Arabic inscription seems to read two letters, د/ذ و/ف/ق, or three letters,  ب/ت/ث ب/ت/ث و/ف/ق. If it is the latter, it is possible that it reads بتق (b-t-q), a possible abbreviation for πατρίκιος.