Romanos I and Constantine VII (931–944)
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds a book in his left. He has a cross behind his head. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ISSXRISS
Iηsus Xristus
Reverse
Two half-length figures: at left, Romanos I, bearded, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros; at right, Constantine VII, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. They hold between them a patriarchal cross. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ROAETCOS,ASILR
Roman(os) et Const(antinos) basil(is) R(omaion)
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds a book in his left. He has a cross behind his head. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ISSXRISS
Iηsus Xristus
Reverse
Two half-length figures: at left, Romanos I, bearded, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros; at right, Constantine VII, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a chlamys. They hold between them a patriarchal cross. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ROAETCOS,ASILR
Roman(os) et Const(antinos) basil(is) R(omaion)
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.1656 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 25.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 61.1; Zacos–Veglery, no. 67 (mistakenly listed in their reference table as no. 65). |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Iηsus Xristus. Romanos et Constantinos basilis Romaion.
Jesus Christ. Romanos and Constantine, basileis of the Romans.
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)
- Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, Vol. 3, Leo III to Nicephorus III (717–1081) (Open in Zotero)
- Catalogue des monnaies byzantines de la Bibliothèque nationale (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The absence from this seal of Christophoros, Romanos’s son and, for the years 921–931, co-emperor, suggests that it either pre-dates his coronation or post-dates his death. The placement on the reverse of our seal of Romanos at left is the same as on a gold coin published in BNC 2 (Cp/AV//10 [pl. 77/10]), a specimen Morrisson dates to the period 931–44. Grierson (DOC 3.2:9) has also published a bronze pattern coin showing Christ en buste, on the reverse of which appears, at left, a bust of Romanos and, at right, a smaller bust of Constantine, which he dates to ca. 930.
The cover of the book that Christ holds is decorated with a pellet enclosed by a circle. This is the same decoration appearing on the gold coin (DOC 3.2:10.2 [pl. 36]).
Zacos and Veglery note that the specimen is a tessera and may have been used for charitable purposes (see Zacos–Veglery, no. 34, where the editors list similar objects from different reigns).