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Andrew Niketas chartoularios (?) (sixth century)

 
 

Obverse

Cruciform monogram. Indeterminate border.

α - δ - ε - ν - ο - ρ - σ - υ

Ἀνδρέου

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. Indeterminate border.

α - ε - η - ι - κ - λ - ν - ο - ρ - τ - υ - χ

Νικήτα χαρτουλάριου

Obverse

Cruciform monogram. Indeterminate border.

α - δ - ε - ν - ο - ρ - σ - υ

Ἀνδρέου

Reverse

Cruciform monogram. Indeterminate border.

α - ε - η - ι - κ - λ - ν - ο - ρ - τ - υ - χ

Νικήτα χαρτουλάριου

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2744
Diameter 26.0 mm

Translation

Ἀνδρέου Νικήτα χαρτουλάριου.

(Seal of) Andrew Niketas chartoularios (?).

Commentary

The obverse monogram seemingly contains Ἀνδρέας, though as the area above the ρ on the top arm of the cruciform is cut off, Ἀνδρέου is also possible (and would be much likely, in the genitive), or perhaps, Ἀνδρέᾳ in the dative.

The top arm of the reverse cruciform is corroded, making its reading more uncertain; there is seemingly present, a ρ, τ, and a ου ligature, though they are faint; this definitively indicates the office χαρτουλάριος, while additionally seeming to contain another word; the name Niketas (Νικήτα χαρτουλαριίου) is possible, though how the two names would be related is anyone's guess. Another possible resolution could be χαρτουλαριίου τοὺ κανικλείου (chartoularios of the kanikleion), though it would require a misspelling with either the ι or ει iotacized into an η, and more importantly, is not attested as an office until the 9th century. We are left with a mystery.