Anonymous (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
The Virgin holding Christ on her left arm; Christ holds a closed scroll in his left hand. Sigla: ̣̅ΘΥ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Saint Prokopios, sanding at left, in civil costume, holding a small cross with his left hand, his right hand is obscured, and Saint Menas, in civil costume, standing at right, holding a small cross in his right hand, his left hand is obscured. Inscription in three columns. Flanking Prokopios: ̣|Π̣|Ρ|ΟΚ|Ο|ΠΙ|Ο, : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Προκόπιο(ς). Flanking Menas: |Μ|Η,Ν̣|.|Σ̣ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Μην[ᾶ]ς. Border of dots.
Obverse
The Virgin holding Christ on her left arm; Christ holds a closed scroll in his left hand. Sigla: ̣̅ΘΥ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Saint Prokopios, sanding at left, in civil costume, holding a small cross with his left hand, his right hand is obscured, and Saint Menas, in civil costume, standing at right, holding a small cross in his right hand, his left hand is obscured. Inscription in three columns. Flanking Prokopios: ̣|Π̣|Ρ|ΟΚ|Ο|ΠΙ|Ο, : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Προκόπιο(ς). Flanking Menas: |Μ|Η,Ν̣|.|Σ̣ : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Μην[ᾶ]ς. Border of dots.
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.3890 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 7, no. 8.7. |
Commentary
Prokopios holds his martyr’s cross in his left hand instead of the customary right hand. This is very unusual given that his right hand appears to be free and is covered by the folds of his mantle. Possibly the engraver intended to balance the images of the hand-held crosses as mirror images flanking the central column of the inscription.