Bardanes imperial spatharios and tourmarches (eighth century)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: .σ|... . Thin wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τ]ῷ σῷ [δούλ]ῳ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines beginning with a cross. Thin wreath border.
̣ρδ
νησ̣
Sτου.
̣ρ̣χ̣
Βαρδάνῃ βασιλικῷ σ[π(αθαρίῳ)] (καὶ) του[ρμ]άρχ(ῃ)
Obverse
Cruciform invocative monogram (type V); in the quarters: .σ|... . Thin wreath border.
Θεοτόκε βοήθει [τ]ῷ σῷ [δούλ]ῳ
Reverse
Inscription of four lines beginning with a cross. Thin wreath border.
̣ρδ
νησ̣
Sτου.
̣ρ̣χ̣
Βαρδάνῃ βασιλικῷ σ[π(αθαρίῳ)] (καὶ) του[ρμ]άρχ(ῃ)
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.2016 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 22.0 mm |
| Condition | Blank too small for die. Corroded. |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Βαρδάνῃ βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ καὶ τουρμάρχῃ.
Mother of God, help your servant Bardanes, imperial spatharios and tourmarches.
Commentary
The sigma at the end of the second line of the reverse is poorly preserved, and it is likely that it was followed by another letter with an abbreviation. We have read imperial spatharios, but it is not out of the question that the owner held the title of imperial strator instead.