Constantine imperial (or proto)spatharios (ninth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: τσ|..λ. Indeterminate border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ [δού]λῳ
Reverse
Inscription of at least three lines. Thin wreath border.
ντιν
̣Σπαθ
ρι
[Κωνστα]ντίνῳ [β]α(σιλικῷ) σπαθ[α]ρίῳ
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: τσ|..λ. Indeterminate border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ [δού]λῳ
Reverse
Inscription of at least three lines. Thin wreath border.
ντιν
̣Σπαθ
ρι
[Κωνστα]ντίνῳ [β]α(σιλικῷ) σπαθ[α]ρίῳ
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.2573 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm |
| Condition | Blank too small for die. Corroded. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Κωνσταντίνῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ.
Mother of God, help your servant Constantine, imperial spatharios.
Commentary
The owner of this seal could have been either imperial spatharios or protospatharios; we prefer the former since there appears to have been space for another letter before the alpha and abbreviation.