N. monk and protos (?) (seventh century)

Commentary

The reading of the reverse monogram is quite uncertain; Zacos is uncertain and reads only Ἰωάννου, though takes the Latin R in the right box as an early instance of the common later type of Beta (), which is unlikely. It is likely a dative name with two titles as indicated by the obverse, containing the singular dative τῷ σῷ δούλῳ (there are obviously multiple words, as indicated by the  for καὶ, but it cannot be two names as the invocation is in the singular). The proposed reading seems a likely guess; it is quite likely that the title μοναχῷ is likely present, and its combination with πρώτῳ makes significantly more sense than other possibilities, such as ὑπάρχῳ (eparch). There are other less likely possibilities, such as Παχομίῳ ναυάρχῳ καὶ ὑπάρχῳ (Pachomios nauarch and eparch), but the given reading here seems most likely. However, it is unclear what name is present in combination with the titles. There are many somewhat likely possibilities (such as Peter, Marinos, Ananias, etc.), but no indication as to what the correct reading might be. It is also possible that the monogram is in the genitive, with a combination such as Ἰωάννου μοναχοῦ καὶ πρώτοῦ (John monk and protos).