Romanos I, Constantine VII, and Stephen (931–44)
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, bearded, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds a book in his left. He has a cross behind head; each arm is decorated with a heavy line bordered by a row of pellets above and below. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ISSXRI....
Iηsus Xri[stus].
Reverse
Three half-length figures, only the center and right visible: at center, in the foreground, Romanos I,with a long, parted beard, wearing a cross-topped crown with a jeweled band and a loros. In the background,: at right, Stephen, beardless wearing a crown surmounted by a cross; at left, Constantine is not visible. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
......COSACES
[Roman(os)], Constan(tinos) ce St(ephanos) b[(asilis) R(omaion)].
Obverse
Half-length representation of Christ, bearded, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds a book in his left. He has a cross behind head; each arm is decorated with a heavy line bordered by a row of pellets above and below. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
ISSXRI....
Iηsus Xri[stus].
Reverse
Three half-length figures, only the center and right visible: at center, in the foreground, Romanos I,with a long, parted beard, wearing a cross-topped crown with a jeweled band and a loros. In the background,: at right, Stephen, beardless wearing a crown surmounted by a cross; at left, Constantine is not visible. Circular inscription. Border of dots.
......COSACES
[Roman(os)], Constan(tinos) ce St(ephanos) b[(asilis) R(omaion)].
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.566 (formerly DO 58.106.566) |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 31.0 mm |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 6, no. 62.2; Zacos–Veglery, no. 68c. |
Translation
Iηsus Xristus.
Romanos, Constantinos ce Stephanos basilis Romaion.
Jesus Christ.
Romanos, Constantine and Stephen, basileis of the Romans.
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)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
Romanos’s son Stephen was crowned in 924, and the absence of Christophoros indicates that it dates after his death in 931.