Romanos I, Constantine VII, and Stephen (931–44)
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, lightly bearded, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds a book with a richly ornamented cover in his left hand. He has a cross behind his head, each arm of which is decorated with a row of pellets between two heavy lines. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ISSXRISS
Iηsus Xristus.
Reverse
Three half-length figures: at center, Romanos I, with a long, parted beard, wearing a cross-topped crown with a jeweled band and a loros, and holding a globus in his right hand. At left,Constantine VII, beardless and smaller than Romanos, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros; and at right. Stephen, beardless and smaller than Romanos, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ROACOSACESR
Roman(os), Constant(inos) ce St(ephanos) b(asilis) R(omaion).
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, lightly bearded, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds a book with a richly ornamented cover in his left hand. He has a cross behind his head, each arm of which is decorated with a row of pellets between two heavy lines. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ISSXRISS
Iηsus Xristus.
Reverse
Three half-length figures: at center, Romanos I, with a long, parted beard, wearing a cross-topped crown with a jeweled band and a loros, and holding a globus in his right hand. At left,Constantine VII, beardless and smaller than Romanos, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros; and at right. Stephen, beardless and smaller than Romanos, wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and a loros. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ROACOSACESR
Roman(os), Constant(inos) ce St(ephanos) b(asilis) R(omaion).
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.51 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.0 mm; field: 26.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 62.1; Zacos–Veglery, no. 68a. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Iηsus Xristus.
Romanos, Constantinos ce Stephanos basilis Romaion.
Jesus Christ.
Romanos, Constantine, and Stephen, basileis of the Romans.
Commentary
Romanos’s son Stephen was crowned in 924, and the absence of Christophoros indicates that it dates after his death in 931.