John Kastamonites, sebastos, eparch (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
St Nicholas standing, offering a blessing and holding the book. Sigla on either side: |ΝΙ|Κ̣.Λ||Ο|Σ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Νικ[ό]λαος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
Ι̣ΣΕ
ΟΝΕΠ.ΡΧΟ̣Ν̣
ΗΣΦΡΣ̣..
ΚΜΟΝΙ̣Τ̣..
Ε̣ΚΓΕ.ΣΚ̣̣.
.ΓΜΕΝΟΝ
Ἰω(άννην) σεβαστὸν ἔπ[α]ρχον ἡ σφραγὶς γρά[φει] Κάσταμονίτ[ων] ἐκ γέ[ν]ους κα[τη]γμένον
Obverse
St Nicholas standing, offering a blessing and holding the book. Sigla on either side: |ΝΙ|Κ̣.Λ||Ο|Σ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Νικ[ό]λαος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
Ι̣ΣΕ
ΟΝΕΠ.ΡΧΟ̣Ν̣
ΗΣΦΡΣ̣..
ΚΜΟΝΙ̣Τ̣..
Ε̣ΚΓΕ.ΣΚ̣̣.
.ΓΜΕΝΟΝ
Ἰω(άννην) σεβαστὸν ἔπ[α]ρχον ἡ σφραγὶς γρά[φει] Κάσταμονίτ[ων] ἐκ γέ[ν]ους κα[τη]γμένον
| Accession number | BZS.1951.31.5.606 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 43.0 mm; field: 32.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 990; see also PBW : Ioannes 20453. |
| Credit Line | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore. |
Translation
Ἰωάννην σεβαστὸν ἔπαρχον ἡ σφραγὶς γράφει Κάσταμονίτων ἐκ γένους κατηγμένον.
The seal inscribes John sebastos, eparch, descended from the family of the Kastamonites.
Commentary
The inscription on the reverse will originally have consisted of two twelve-syllable verses, but the first was altered when the engraver inserted the office of eparch after the title sebastos. John Kastamonites appears to have held the office sometime between 1199 and 1203.