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Constantine IX Monomachos (1042-55)

 
 

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ bearded, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and in the left hand a book ornamented in center of the cover with two pellets. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of five pellets. Sigla at left and right: (ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

Ε.ΜΑΝΟΥΗΛ

Ἐ[μ]μανουήλ.

Reverse

Half-length representation of Constantine IX bearded, wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a loros. He is shown holding a long cross scepter in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

SAASIL...R

Cωns<t>ant(inos) basil[eus] R(o)m(aion).

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ bearded, wearing a tunic and himation and holding the right hand in blessing and in the left hand a book ornamented in center of the cover with two pellets. He has a nimbus cruciger; each arm contains a decoration consisting of five pellets. Sigla at left and right: (ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

Ε.ΜΑΝΟΥΗΛ

Ἐ[μ]μανουήλ.

Reverse

Half-length representation of Constantine IX bearded, wearing a crown with a cross and pendilia and a loros. He is shown holding a long cross scepter in the right hand and a globus cruciger in the left. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

SAASIL...R

Cωns<t>ant(inos) basil[eus] R(o)m(aion).

Accession number BZS.1958.106.623 (formerly DO 58.106.623)
Diameter 34.0 mm; field: 29.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 73.1; Zacos-Veglery no. 79a.

Translation

Cωnstantinos basileus Romaion.

Constantine, basileus of the Romans.

Commentary

For similar specimens see Seibt-Zarnitz, no. 1.1.6, and Likhachev, Molivdovuly, pl. LXXVI, no. 14.

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)
  • Das byzantinische Bleisiegel als Kunstwerk: Katalog zur Ausstellung (Open in Zotero)