Leo III and Constantine V (720–741)
Obverse
Leo III standing, with a long head and bearded, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. He holds a globus cruciger in his right hand and in his left seemingly an akakia. A group of three small figures bowing to the imperial figure on either side. A small cross potent above the group at right. Wreath border.
Reverse
Constantine V standing, with a round head and beardless, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. He holds a globus cruciger in his right hand and in his left an akakia. A group of three small figures bowing to the imperial figure on either side. A small cross potent above the group at right. Wreath border.
Obverse
Leo III standing, with a long head and bearded, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. He holds a globus cruciger in his right hand and in his left seemingly an akakia. A group of three small figures bowing to the imperial figure on either side. A small cross potent above the group at right. Wreath border.
Reverse
Constantine V standing, with a round head and beardless, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. He holds a globus cruciger in his right hand and in his left an akakia. A group of three small figures bowing to the imperial figure on either side. A small cross potent above the group at right. Wreath border.
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1628 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 31.0 mm; field: 25.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 30.1; Zacos–Veglery, no. 34. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
It is important to note that on iconic seals issued during Leo’s joint reign with Constantine the Mother of God disappears (see also BZS.1951.31.5.1643). One assumes that in limiting iconography to family members Leo wished to emphasize Constantine’s rights to succession, while at the same time promoting a program of iconoclastic decoration.
In illustrating their entry, Zacos and Veglery misunderstood which figure is Constantine V.
This specimen is a token, as there is no channel for suspension.