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John I (969–76)

 
 

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds a book in his left. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

ISXRSREXRENANTI

Iηs(us) Xr(istu)s rex regnanti<u>m.

Reverse

Two half-length figures: at left, John I, bearded, wearing a cross-topped crown and a loros; at right, the Mother of God raising her right arm and blessing the emperor by setting her hand on his crown. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

.EOTOC.....ΩESP

[Θ]εοτοc(e) [bοήθ(ει) Ἰ]ω(άννῃ) desp(oti).

Obverse

Half-length representation of Christ, wearing a tunic and himation. He raises his right hand in blessing and holds a book in his left. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

ISXRSREXRENANTI

Iηs(us) Xr(istu)s rex regnanti<u>m.

Reverse

Two half-length figures: at left, John I, bearded, wearing a cross-topped crown and a loros; at right, the Mother of God raising her right arm and blessing the emperor by setting her hand on his crown. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

.EOTOC.....ΩESP

[Θ]εοτοc(e) [bοήθ(ει) Ἰ]ω(άννῃ) desp(oti).

Accession number BZS.1958.106.642
Diameter 22.0 mm; field: 20.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 66.2; Zacos–Veglery, no. 74b.

Translation

Iηsus Xristus rex regnantium.
Θεοτοce bοήθει Ἰωάννῃ despoti.

Jesus Christ, King of Kings.
Mother of God, help John, despotes.

Commentary

John I Tzimiskes reigned from 969–76. After his assassination of Nikephoros II, he sent Theophano into exile and married Theodora, a daughter of Constantine VII. His gold coin, the design of which this seal follows closely, features a half-length representation of Christ on the obverse and on the reverse half-length representations of the emperor and the Mother of God. She touches the emperor’s crown with her right hand. Above the emperor’s head appears the manus Dei (DOC 3.2:3.7 [pl. 42]; BNC 2:40/Cp/AV/05 [pl. 80, AV/05]).

This specimen, along with BZS.1958.106.643, may be a tessera.

Whether the manus Dei appears on the reverse of this seal is uncertain.

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)
  • 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)