John Pantechnes (twelfth century, second half)
Obverse
Christ (Chalkites) standing full length, offering a blessing. Sigla on either side: ισ̅χσ̅ : Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς : ο|χ||λκι|τη|σ : ὁ Χαλκίτης. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
τοισπν
τεχμ
μσιχριτ
νυμοχσ̅υ
τοσσφργισ
σφλε
τη
τοῖς Παντεχνῆ γράμμασι χαριτωνύμου ὁ Χ(ριστὸ)ς αὐτὸς σφραγὶς ἀσφαλεστάτη
Obverse
Christ (Chalkites) standing full length, offering a blessing. Sigla on either side: ισ̅χσ̅ : Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς : ο|χ||λκι|τη|σ : ὁ Χαλκίτης. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of seven lines, a cross above. Border of dots.
τοισπν
τεχμ
μσιχριτ
νυμοχσ̅υ
τοσσφργισ
σφλε
τη
τοῖς Παντεχνῆ γράμμασι χαριτωνύμου ὁ Χ(ριστὸ)ς αὐτὸς σφραγὶς ἀσφαλεστάτη
| Accession number | BZS.1958.106.5716 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 39.0 mm; field: 30.0 mm |
| Condition | Chipped below. |
Translation
τοῖς Παντεχνῆ γράμμασι χαριτωνύμου ὁ Χριστὸς αὐτὸς σφραγὶς ἀσφαλεστάτη.
Christ Himself is the seal most secure for the letters of John, the one favored by God, Pantechnes.
Commentary
The epithet χαριτὠνυμος ("named for grace") is the owner's poetic rendition of the name John, in accordance with the Hebrew etymology of the name. On this use of the epithet, and other instances, see John Cotsonis, "Onomastics, gender, office and images on Byzantine lead seals: a means of investigating personal piety," Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies 32/1 (2008), 19-20.
See also PBW: Ioannes 20316.