★ Rare and Attractive Seal !!!! ★

Lead seal of John, imperial spatharios and epi ton ... (11th/12th cent.)
Diam.: mm Weight: 19.71 gr. Condition: F. Trimmed, with some strikes in either
sides. Attractive brown natural patina.
Obverse: The bust of the Mother of God, en face, nimbate, with infant Jesus Christ on
her left hand, also nimbate, en face and blessing, within a dotted border. The usual
inscription Μ(ΗΤΗ)Ρ- Θ(ΕΟ)Υ (Mother of God) is not saved.
Reverse: Inscription in 6 lines within a dotted border (the first is absent, as of the offcenter sealing): [+Θ(ΕΟΤΟ)ΚΕ Β(ΟΗ)Θ(ΕΙ)]/ [Ι]ΩΑΝ[ΝΗ [Β(ΑΣΙΛΙΚΩ)]
CΠΑΘ(ΑΡΙΩ) ΚΑΙ ΕΠΙ ΤΩΝ Γ(.) Κ(.) ΛΟΡΑ/.Α.ΠΩ/Λ ()= Θεοτόκε βοήθει Ἰωάννῃ
βασιλικῷ σπαθαρίῳ καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ....... (Mother of God help John imperial spatharios
and in charge of the ...).

Condition: Very Fine

Weight: 19.69gr
Diameter: 27.15

From a Private Dutch, Collection.