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Phanesios (?) (sixth/seventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin, facing, nimbate. In her l. arm, she holds Christ with nimbus cruciform, wearing chiton and himation. In l. field, cross. Above head of Christ, there appears to be a dove (i.e. the Holy Spirit). Wreath border.

Reverse

Cruciform monogram; in the upper right quarter, ΓΙ. Wreath border.

 - η - ι  - ν - ο -  - υ - φ

Φανησίου (?)

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin, facing, nimbate. In her l. arm, she holds Christ with nimbus cruciform, wearing chiton and himation. In l. field, cross. Above head of Christ, there appears to be a dove (i.e. the Holy Spirit). Wreath border.

Reverse

Cruciform monogram; in the upper right quarter, ΓΙ. Wreath border.

 - η - ι  - ν - ο -  - υ - φ

Φανησίου (?)

Accession number BZS.1955.1.240
Diameter 24.0 mm
Previous Editions

Zacos-Veglery, no. 1208.

Translation

Φανησίου (?).

(Seal of) Phanesios (?).

Commentary

The best resolution to the reverse monogram is Φανησίου, an uncommonly attested name. There is the additional mystery of the ΓΙ or Γ present in the upper right field of the cruciform monogram; this likely is a fractional part of an inscription in the four fields of the cruciform, the apparent remains of which can be seen in the two lower fields, however with just these this small fraction of the inscription it is impossible to read. Zacos hypothesizes Στεφάνου for the monogram, but this is unlikely because there is no Τ, and the Σ would have to be missing a middle bar; he may be correct that the γ is followed by an abbreviation sign, indicating some title such as γραμματικός or γηροκόμος.

Bibliography