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Anonymous (tenth/eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

St Stephen standing, holding the book in his left hand and a censer in his right. Sigla in columns on either side: |γι|ο|σστ|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
πτοχν
δνιζηθ̣
.ε

ὁ ἐλεον πτοχὼν δανίζη Θεῷ

Obverse

St Stephen standing, holding the book in his left hand and a censer in his right. Sigla in columns on either side: |γι|ο|σστ|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
πτοχν
δνιζηθ̣
.ε

ὁ ἐλεον πτοχὼν δανίζη Θεῷ

Accession number BZS.1955.1.4092
Diameter 21.0 mm; field: 18.0 mm

Translation

ὁ ἐλεον πτοχὼν δανίζη 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."