★ Byzantine lead seal of Gregorios imperial protokandidatos and magistros (11th c.). A rarest iconographic seal of a high interest! ★

Obv.: Saint George standing facial, nimbate, in military garments, holding spear in his right hand and resting his left hand on a shield, sigla in the fields, [Θ]/Γ/ Ε-Ω/Ρ/Γ, (Saint George), circular invocative inscription in 2 parts, the first clock-wise, starting at 1 o' clock, +KE RΘ ΤΩ CΩ ΔΟΥΛ, (Lord, help your servant), the other part starting at 11 o' clock retrograde (anticlock-wise), ΓΡΗΓΟ[ΡΙ]Ω R, A ΚΑΝΔ, (Gregorios imperial protokandidatos), dotted border.

Rev.: Saint Theodore standing facial, nimbate, in military garments, holding spear in his right hand and resting his left hand on a sword, sigla in the fields inversely (from left to right) written, Α/ ΓΙ/ Ο,- Θ/ Θ / Ε / ΩΔ/ Ρ, (Saint Theodoros), circular invocative inscription in 2 parts, the first clock-wise, starting at 1 o'clock, (uncertain), the other part starting at 11 o' clock retrograde (anticlock-wise), ΤΩ [Μ]ΑΓΙΣΤ[ΡΩ] ... (the magistros), dotted border.

Areas of weakness, some roughness, otherwise about Very Fine plus, as in photos. Very well centered example. Uncleaned, with a charming natural cream patina.

A possibly unpublished interesting seal!

Weight:10,7 gr Diameter:22 mm