Neilos patrikios (?), imperial protospatharios and ... (tenth/eleventh century)
Obverse
Half-length of the Mother of God orans, the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla on either side: μ̅θ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εοῦ). Along the circumference, within concentric border of dots, a partially preserved circular inscription:
....θνειλ̣
[Θ(εοτό)κε βοή]θ(ει) Νείλ[ῳ πατρικίῳ]
Reverse
Half-length of St Demetrios holding a spear and shield. Inscription on either side: ο|μ|τ : ὁ (ἅγιος) Δ(η)μ(ή)τ(ριος). Along the circumference, a partially preserved circular inscription between concentric borders of dots:
..σ̣Πθ̣̣Ε̣.
[β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)]σπαθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) ἐ....
Obverse
Half-length of the Mother of God orans, the medallion of Christ before her. Sigla on either side: μ̅θ̅ : Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εοῦ). Along the circumference, within concentric border of dots, a partially preserved circular inscription:
....θνειλ̣
[Θ(εοτό)κε βοή]θ(ει) Νείλ[ῳ πατρικίῳ]
Reverse
Half-length of St Demetrios holding a spear and shield. Inscription on either side: ο|μ|τ : ὁ (ἅγιος) Δ(η)μ(ή)τ(ριος). Along the circumference, a partially preserved circular inscription between concentric borders of dots:
..σ̣Πθ̣̣Ε̣.
[β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)]σπαθ(αρίῳ) (καὶ) ἐ....
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.3459 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 15.0 mm |
| Condition | Blank too small for die. Corroded. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει Νείλῳ πατρικίῳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ ἐ....
Mother of God, help Neilos, patrikios, imperial protospatharios and ....
Commentary
It is possible that the owner's office was epi tes trapezes, given his titles and the lettering preserved in the reverse inscription.