John pragmateutes (tenth century)
Obverse
A bird, or perhaps a gryphon, turning its head to its right. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
κε̅,
ινν
πργμ
τευτ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οήθει) Ἰωάννου πραγματευτ(οῦ)
Obverse
A bird, or perhaps a gryphon, turning its head to its right. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
κε̅,
ινν
πργμ
τευτ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οήθει) Ἰωάννου πραγματευτ(οῦ)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1059 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm; field: 16.0 mm |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει Ἰωάννου πραγματευτοῦ.
Lord, help John, merchant.
Commentary
On this and other seals of Byzantine merchants, see W. Seibt, "Some seals of Byzantine professional men," ΑΝΤΙΧΑΡΙΣΜΑΤΟΣ ΕΠΙΣΦΡΑΓΙΣΙΣ: A tribute to Prof. Ivan Jordanov on his 70th anniversary," Shumen 2019, 435-38.