John (Doukas), caesar (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God, nimbate, holding before her the medallion of the Christ child. Sigla to both sides: ̄θῡ: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Circular inscription within border of dots.
ΘΚΕΟΗΘΤΣΔΛ
Θ(εοτό)κε βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ)
Reverse
Bust of the caesar John Doukas, with pointed beard, wearing a jeweled crown surmounted by a cross, a divitision, and a chlamys fastened at the right shoulder, and holding a cross in his right hand. Circular inscription within border of dots.
ΙΤΕΥΤ..ΕΣΤΑΤ.Α̣.ΣΑΡ,
Ἰω(άννῃ) τῷ εὐτ[υχ]εστάτ(ῳ) [κ]α[ί]σαρ(ι)
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God, nimbate, holding before her the medallion of the Christ child. Sigla to both sides: ̄θῡ: Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Circular inscription within border of dots.
ΘΚΕΟΗΘΤΣΔΛ
Θ(εοτό)κε βοήθ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλ(ῳ)
Reverse
Bust of the caesar John Doukas, with pointed beard, wearing a jeweled crown surmounted by a cross, a divitision, and a chlamys fastened at the right shoulder, and holding a cross in his right hand. Circular inscription within border of dots.
ΙΤΕΥΤ..ΕΣΤΑΤ.Α̣.ΣΑΡ,
Ἰω(άννῃ) τῷ εὐτ[υχ]εστάτ(ῳ) [κ]α[ί]σαρ(ι)
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.3635 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 21.0 mm; field: 16.0 mm |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ τῷ εὐτυχεστάτῳ καίσαρι.
Theotokos, help your servant John, the most fortunate caesar.
Commentary
Zacos attributed this seal and its parallels to John Doukas, the famous caesar and brother of Constantine X Doukas (1059–67). These seals are remarkable for their depictions of John Doukas himself on the reverse. Although John was caesar (kaisar) from 1060, upon the accession of Constantine X, until his death in 1088, Zacos assigned these seals to the narrower period from 1060 to 1071, when John became basileopator (BZS.1955.1.3008).