Anonymous (tenth/eleventh century)
Obverse
St Stephen standing, holding the book in his left hand and a censer in his right. A cross on either side. Sigla in columns on either side: |γι|ο|σστ|εφ|ν|οσ : ὁ ἅγιος Στέφανος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines ending with a cross. A cross between fleurons above. Border of dots.
οελεον̣
πτοχν
δνιζηθ̣
.ε
ὁ ἐλεον πτοχὼν δανίζει Θεῷ
Obverse
St Stephen standing, holding the book in his left hand and a censer in his right. A cross on either side. Sigla in columns on either side: |γι|ο|σστ|εφ|ν|οσ : ὁ ἅγιος Στέφανος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of four lines ending with a cross. A cross between fleurons above. Border of dots.
οελεον̣
πτοχν
δνιζηθ̣
.ε
ὁ ἐλεον πτοχὼν δανίζει Θεῷ
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4091 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.0 mm |
Translation
ὁ ἐλεον πτοχὼν δανίζει Θεῷ.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord.
Commentary
This piece appears to have been a seal carved into a tessera or token. Oikonomides suggests this seal and its parallels may originate from a sanctuary of St. Stephanos, perhaps at Diakaria. The inscription on the back is a reference to Proverbs 19:17: "δανείζει Θεῷ ὁ ἐλεῶν πτωχόν."