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Isaac I Komnenos (1057-59)

 
 

Obverse

A bearded Christ on a backless throne, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. Christ's feet rest on a dais. He has a nimbus cruciger. Sigla at upper right. Border of dots.

Reverse

Emperor Isaac I, bearded, standing, wearing a crown and a loros and holding an upturned sword in the right hand. Partial remains of a circular inscription beginning at 7 o'clock. Border of dots.

ΙΣ...........ΕΥΣ........ΚΟΜΝ....

Ἰσ[αάκιος βασιλ]εὺς [Ῥωμαίων ὁ] Κομν[ηνός].

Obverse

A bearded Christ on a backless throne, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and a book in the left. Christ's feet rest on a dais. He has a nimbus cruciger. Sigla at upper right. Border of dots.

Reverse

Emperor Isaac I, bearded, standing, wearing a crown and a loros and holding an upturned sword in the right hand. Partial remains of a circular inscription beginning at 7 o'clock. Border of dots.

ΙΣ...........ΕΥΣ........ΚΟΜΝ....

Ἰσ[αάκιος βασιλ]εὺς [Ῥωμαίων ὁ] Κομν[ηνός].

Accession number BZS.1958.106.620 (formerly DO 58.106.620)
Diameter 43.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 75.1; Zacos-Veglery no. 85 (different reading).

Translation

Ἰσαάκιος βασιλεὺς Ῥωμαίων ὁ Κομνηνός.

Isaac Komnenos, basileus of the Romans.

Commentary

The reading of Komnenos on the reverse is uncertain. In the upper right section one seems to see a small head, turned left, within an aureole and with an outstretched hand touching the emperor's head.

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)