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Nicholas (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of St. John Prodromos. Details indistinct. Sigla preserved at left: |π|ρo|Δ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Πρόδ[ρομος]. Remains of a circular inscription beginning with a cross at seven o'clock. Border of dots.

ạγ̣ι̣ε̣Θτ

ἅγιε β(οή)θ(ει) τ[ῷ σῷ δ(ούλῳ) Νικολ(άῳ)]

Reverse

Bust of the Mother of God holding the medallion before her. Sigla preserved at right: θυ̅: [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Remains of a circular inscription within a border of dots.

ˊνικολ̣ˊ

[Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σ]ῷ δ(ούλῳ) Νικολ(άῳ)

Obverse

Bust of St. John Prodromos. Details indistinct. Sigla preserved at left: |π|ρo|Δ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Πρόδ[ρομος]. Remains of a circular inscription beginning with a cross at seven o'clock. Border of dots.

ạγ̣ι̣ε̣Θτ

ἅγιε β(οή)θ(ει) τ[ῷ σῷ δ(ούλῳ) Νικολ(άῳ)]

Reverse

Bust of the Mother of God holding the medallion before her. Sigla preserved at right: θυ̅: [Μ(ήτη)ρ] Θ(εο)ῦ. Remains of a circular inscription within a border of dots.

ˊνικολ̣ˊ

[Θ(εοτό)κε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σ]ῷ δ(ούλῳ) Νικολ(άῳ)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2545
Diameter 24.0 mm
Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

ἅγιε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νικολάῳ. Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νικολάῳ.

Saint, help your servant Nicholas. Mother of God, help your servant Nicholas.

Commentary

Note the unusual ligature on the reverse: the upsilon appears to have been placed on top of the theta.