Christopher imperial protospatharios and orphanotrophos (ninth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: ΤΣ̣.|.̣Λ : τῷ σ[ῷ] [δ]ούλῳ. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σ[ῷ δ]ούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Indeterminate border.
....
ΤΟΦΡ
ΒΑΣΠΟΡ̣
Φ...
[Χρισ]τοφώρῳ β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθαρίῳ (καὶ) ὀρφ[ανοτρ(όφῳ)]
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V). In the quarters: ΤΣ̣.|.̣Λ : τῷ σ[ῷ] [δ]ούλῳ. Wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σ[ῷ δ]ούλῳ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines. Indeterminate border.
....
ΤΟΦΡ
ΒΑΣΠΟΡ̣
Φ...
[Χρισ]τοφώρῳ β(ασιλικῷ) (πρωτο)σπαθαρίῳ (καὶ) ὀρφ[ανοτρ(όφῳ)]
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.743 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 25.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 1795b. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Χριστοφώρῳ βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ καὶ ὀρφανοτρόφῳ.
Theotokos, help your servant Christopher imperial protospatharios and orphanotrophos.
Commentary
See John W. Nesbitt, "The Orphanotrophos: Some observations on the history of the office in light of seals," SBS 8 (2003), 54-55.