★ *Very Rare* ★

A highly interesting iconographically and historically byzantine lead seal
of Paul (Pavlos) imperial protospatharios, in charge of the Oikiakon and of Mavrianou
(10th cent.)

(Lead, 9.77 gr, 31.90 mm, 12h). Condition: Holed, otherwise about Very Fine. Uncleaned with a nice natural white patina.

Obv.: A tree or cactus in the center, circular invocative inscription between double dotted border, +κε rοηθει tω Cω δο[υλ]ω = Kύριε, βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ (Lord, help your servant).

Rev.: Inscription in 6 lines between dotted decorative patterns following a cross, +παυλο / r,a,cπαθ, / sεπιτο[νοι] / κηακ,sa[..] / τητονμα / υριανου = Παύλῳ β(ασιλικῷ) πρωτοσπαθ(αρίῳ) καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν Οἰκιακῶν καὶ ... τῶν Μαυριανοῦ (Paul imperial protospatharios and in charge of the Oikiakon and Mavrianou), dotted border.