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Leo notarios (tenth/eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Life-giving cross with arms that grow larger toward their extremities where they are ornamented. From the base on each side, fleurons rise and contain a star within. Circular inscription within a border of dots.

κεοηθτσδουλ

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Border of dots.

λεον
τιελαχ
ιστνο
ταρι

Λέοντι ἐλαχίστῳ νοταρίῳ

Obverse

Life-giving cross with arms that grow larger toward their extremities where they are ornamented. From the base on each side, fleurons rise and contain a star within. Circular inscription within a border of dots.

κεοηθτσδουλ

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ

Reverse

Inscription in four lines. Border of dots.

λεον
τιελαχ
ιστνο
ταρι

Λέοντι ἐλαχίστῳ νοταρίῳ

Accession number BZS.1947.2.1146
Diameter 22.0 mm; field: 15.0 mm
Previous Editions

Laurent, Corpus V/2, no. 1074.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Λέοντι ἐλαχίστῳ νοταρίῳ.

Lord, help your servant Leo, the least notarios.

Commentary

Laurent published this seal of Leo the notarios in his corpus of seals from the Church, perhaps because Leo calls himself ἐλάχιστος ("lowly"); however, this epithet does not necessarily indicate that he is a monk or some other member of the Church.

Bibliography