Nicholas eparch (ninth century, second half)
Obverse
Bust of St Nicholas holding the Gospel and offering a blessing. Inscription on either side: Ο||Γ̣Ι|Ο|ΣΝ|ΙΚ|ΟΛ|Ο|Σ : ὁ ἅγιος Νικόλαος. Thin wreath border.
Reverse
Block monogram. Likely reading: Νικολάου ἐπάρχου. Thin wreath border.
Obverse
Bust of St Nicholas holding the Gospel and offering a blessing. Inscription on either side: Ο||Γ̣Ι|Ο|ΣΝ|ΙΚ|ΟΛ|Ο|Σ : ὁ ἅγιος Νικόλαος. Thin wreath border.
Reverse
Block monogram. Likely reading: Νικολάου ἐπάρχου. Thin wreath border.
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.1696 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
Translation
Νικολάου ἐπάρχου.
(Seal of) Nicholas, eparch.
Commentary
In his unpublished catalogue of the Shaw catalogue, Laurent dated this seal to the seventh/eighth century. This seems implausible given the iconography and use of identifying inscription which are not usually found on seals of that era but become more frequent after the Triumph of Orthodoxy in 843.