Constantine Melissenos (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
Mother of God standing, holding Christ on her left arm. Sigla at left and right: ̅–ΘΥ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
ΚΝ̣̣Ν
ΤΙΝΟΝΜΕΤΟΝ
ΜΕΛΙΣΣΙΝΟΝΣΚΕ
ΠΟΙΣΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΙ
ΔΙΔΟΥΣΚΙ
ΠΛΤΟΣΙ
ΟΥ
Κωνσταντινόν με τὸν Μελισσινὸν σκέποις Εὐεργέτι διδοῦσα καὶ πλάτος βίου
Obverse
Mother of God standing, holding Christ on her left arm. Sigla at left and right: ̅–ΘΥ̅: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines. Border of dots.
ΚΝ̣̣Ν
ΤΙΝΟΝΜΕΤΟΝ
ΜΕΛΙΣΣΙΝΟΝΣΚΕ
ΠΟΙΣΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΙ
ΔΙΔΟΥΣΚΙ
ΠΛΤΟΣΙ
ΟΥ
Κωνσταντινόν με τὸν Μελισσινὸν σκέποις Εὐεργέτι διδοῦσα καὶ πλάτος βίου
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.3901 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 29.0 mm; field: 20.0 mm |
| Condition | Hole at the top. |
| Previous Editions | Cf. Cheynet, Morrisson, and Seibt, Seyrig, no. 311; Schlumberger, Sigillographie, 680, no. 3; Laurent, Bulles métriques, no. 212; Nesbitt, “Overstruck Seals,” no. 4; N. Veis, “Anagnoseis kai katataxeis byzantinon molybdoboullon,” Journal international d’archéologie numismatique 13 (1911): no. 28; Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 1189 (tentatively identifying the owner as the Constantine Melissenos attested as grammatikos in the bishopric of Nauplion and Argos in 1165-1166). |
Translation
Κωνσταντινόν με τὸν Μελισσινὸν σκέποις Εὐεργέτι διδοῦσα καὶ πλάτος βίου.
Benefactress, may you protect me, Constantine Melissenos, as you grant me a long life.
Commentary
Two metrical inscriptions of twelve syllables each.