John spatharokandidatos and exaktor (eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God holding the medallion before her; details indistinct. No epigraphy visible. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
θ̣Κε,θ,
ισπ,θ,
ρ,κα̣Τ̣
Τοεα
κ̣Τ,ρι
Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) Ἰω(άννῃ) σπ(α)θ(α)ρ(ο)κ(α)νδ(ι)δ(ά)τ(ῳ) το ἐξάκτ(ω)ρι
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God holding the medallion before her; details indistinct. No epigraphy visible. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
θ̣Κε,θ,
ισπ,θ,
ρ,κα̣Τ̣
Τοεα
κ̣Τ,ρι
Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) Ἰω(άννῃ) σπ(α)θ(α)ρ(ο)κ(α)νδ(ι)δ(ά)τ(ῳ) το ἐξάκτ(ω)ρι
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.217 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Laurent, Corpus II, no. 909; see also PBW: Ioannes 20418. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Ἰωάννῃ σπαθαροκανδιδάτῳ το ἐξάκτωρι.
Mother of God, help John spatharokandidatos [and] exaktor.
Commentary
We would expect the conjunction καὶ between the owner's title and office; instead we have the definite article, as though preceding a family name. We prefer to read exaktor as an office on the assumption that the engraver erred in carving τῷ instead of καὶ.