Abramios ostiarios and spatharios (tenth/eleventh century)
Obverse
Bust of a saint, likely St Nicholas, holding a book in his left hand and offering a blessing with his right. Partially preserved epigraphy at left: Ο|.Γ: ὁ [ἅ]γ(ιος) ... . Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ke,Θ,
.ΣΔ
.ΡΑΜΙ,
Ο̣ΣΤΙΑΡΙ
̣ΣΠΑΘ,
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) [τ]ῷ σῷ δού(λῷ) [Ἀ]βραμί(ῳ) ὀστιαρί(ῳ) (καὶ) σπαθ(αρίῳ)
Obverse
Bust of a saint, likely St Nicholas, holding a book in his left hand and offering a blessing with his right. Partially preserved epigraphy at left: Ο|.Γ: ὁ [ἅ]γ(ιος) ... . Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ke,Θ,
.ΣΔ
.ΡΑΜΙ,
Ο̣ΣΤΙΑΡΙ
̣ΣΠΑΘ,
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) [τ]ῷ σῷ δού(λῷ) [Ἀ]βραμί(ῳ) ὀστιαρί(ῳ) (καὶ) σπαθ(αρίῳ)
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.2181 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 28.0 mm |
| Condition | Chipped and corroded. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῷ Ἀβραμίῳ ὀστιαρίῳ καὶ σπαθαρίῳ.
Lord, help your servant Abramios, ostiarios and spatharios.
Commentary
The letter read here as an abbreviation of καὶ could perhaps be taken as β for β(ασιλικῷ), which would make the owner imperial spatharios, but we prefer the former reading.