Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078)
Obverse
Bust of Christ wearing a tunic and himation. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm is decorated with five pellets. He holds a book in the left hand. Sigla at right: ΧΣ̅ : [Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς] Χ(ριστό)[ς]. In field at right, an eight-rayed star. Outside the field at right may be seen evidence of an earlier strike (the letter E). Border of dots.
Reverse
Bust of an emperor wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and holding a cross-topped scepter in the right hand. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.
ΜΙΧΑΗΛΑΥΤ . . .
Μιχαὴλ αὐτ[οκράτ(ωρ)] ...
Obverse
Bust of Christ wearing a tunic and himation. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm is decorated with five pellets. He holds a book in the left hand. Sigla at right: ΧΣ̅ : [Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς] Χ(ριστό)[ς]. In field at right, an eight-rayed star. Outside the field at right may be seen evidence of an earlier strike (the letter E). Border of dots.
Reverse
Bust of an emperor wearing a crown surmounted by a cross and holding a cross-topped scepter in the right hand. Remains of a circular inscription at left. Border of dots.
ΜΙΧΑΗΛΑΥΤ . . .
Μιχαὴλ αὐτ[οκράτ(ωρ)] ...
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.527 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 29.0 mm; field: 21.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 83.1. |
Translation
Μιχαὴλ αὐτοκράτωρ ...
Michael, emperor ...
Bibliography
- Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 6, Emperors, Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda (Open in Zotero)
- Catalogue of the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore Collection, Vol. 3, Leo III to Nicephorus III (717–1081) (Open in Zotero)
- Catalogue des monnaies byzantines de la Bibliothèque nationale (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The seal might belong to Michael VI, but in this case one would expect his identifying inscription to be in Latin letters. Christ's head is flanked by stars as well on the folles of Michael VII. See, for example, DOC 3.2:14a.7, pl. 67 and BNC 2: pl. 91 (AE 01).