Byzantine lead seal
of Leon protoepiskeptites
(11th cent.)

(Lead, 16.47 gr, 27 mm, 12h). Condition: Very Fine and well centered. Uncleaned with a nice natural brown patina.

Obv.: Facial bust of saint bishop Nicholaos, nimbate, short-bearded, wearing prelate's garments, blessing with his right hand and holding the book of Gospels with his left hand, sigla in the field, θ / ν / ι-κ / ο / λ, = Ὁ (ἅγιος) Νικόλαος (Saint Nicholaos), dotted border.

Rev.: Inscription in 4 lines following a cross and ending to a decorative pattern, +κεrθ, / λεοντ,Α´ / επιcke / πtht, = Κύριε, βοήθει Λέοντι πρωτοεπισκεπτίτῃ (Lord, help Leon protoepiskeptites), dotted border.

Episkeptites was a subaltern official mentioned in the 9th-C. Kletorologion of Philotheos; there were episkeptitai in the departments of the dromos, the eparch of the city, the agelai etc (cf. Kazdan et alii, Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, I, p. 717). Protoepiskeptites is actually a rare title to find on seals.