Constantine imperial spatharokandidatos and exkoubitor (?) (tenth century)
Obverse
A patriarchal cross mounted on a base of three steps. Within concentric borders of dots (outer) and a line (inner), a circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock:
θεοτοκεοη̣..ιτσ...υ̣λ̣
Θεοτόκε βοή[θε]ι τῷ σ[ῷ δο]ύλ(ῳ)
Reverse
Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
κ
νστντιν
σσπθ
.ρκνι
.̣ι̣ουρ
ικτ
Κωνσταντίνῳ βασ(ιλικῷ) σπαθ[α]ρ(ο)κανδι(δάτῳ) [κ]αὶ ξουβρικτορι
Obverse
A patriarchal cross mounted on a base of three steps. Within concentric borders of dots (outer) and a line (inner), a circular inscription beginning at seven o'clock:
θεοτοκεοη̣..ιτσ...υ̣λ̣
Θεοτόκε βοή[θε]ι τῷ σ[ῷ δο]ύλ(ῳ)
Reverse
Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
κ
νστντιν
σσπθ
.ρκνι
.̣ι̣ουρ
ικτ
Κωνσταντίνῳ βασ(ιλικῷ) σπαθ[α]ρ(ο)κανδι(δάτῳ) [κ]αὶ ξουβρικτορι
| Accession number | BZS.1977.34.9 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23.0 mm |
Translation
Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Κωνσταντίνῳ βασιλικῷ σπαθαροκανδιδάτῳ καὶ ξουβρικτορι.
Mother of God, help your servant Constantine, imperial spatharokandidatos and exkoubitor.
Commentary
The reading of the last two lines of the reverse is complicated by the apparent confusion of the lettering. We assume that the letters we transcribe were intended to form the word "exkoubitor."