Theodora (sixth/seventh century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type VIII). Border of dots.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει
Reverse
Latin inscription in three lines. Border of dots.
O
R
Theodωra
Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1598 |
---|---|
Diameter | 26.0 mm |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Theodωra.
Theotokos, help Theodora.
Commentary
Note the at the end of the second line of the reverse Latin inscription--likely indicating that the engraver of this bilingual seal's primary language was Greek. The character at the end of the third line may be a letter--such as an N--but it seems more likely to be a decoration, as Laurent suggests in his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw collection.