Ananias episkeptites (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin Mary orans, nimbed. Sigla on either side: ̅θυ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΚΕΘ,
ΤΣ̣,
ΑΝΑΝΗΑ
ΕΠΗΣΚ̣.Ε
̣Τ̅ΗΤ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Ἀνανήᾳ ἐπησκεφτήτ(ῃ)
Obverse
Bust of the Virgin Mary orans, nimbed. Sigla on either side: ̅θυ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΚΕΘ,
ΤΣ̣,
ΑΝΑΝΗΑ
ΕΠΗΣΚ̣.Ε
̣Τ̅ΗΤ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Ἀνανήᾳ ἐπησκεφτήτ(ῃ)
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.2192 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 20.0 mm |
| Condition | Gouged on the obverse. Seemingly double struck on the reverse. |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθη τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἀνανήᾳ ἐπησκεφτήτῃ.
Lord, help your servant Ananias, episkeptites.
Commentary
The inscription appears to be double struck or overstruck, with the result that the letters are distorted. We read the owner's office as episkeptites despite the mistaken rendering and the superfluous (indecipherable) letter in the penultimate line.