★ Historically significant. Very rare! ★

PB Byzantine lead seal in the name of Theoktiste, Zoste Patrikia and Mother-in-law of Basileus (emperor Theophilos) (c. 830 AD or later)
Obv: Cruciform invocative monogram (type V): Θεοτόκε βοήθει. Circular inscription between two borders of dots: [+Θε]οκτίστης ζωστῆ[ς πατρικίας].
Rev: Inscription of four lines beginning with a cross: +κ[αὶ] πενθερ[ά] τοῦ βασιλέω[ς]. Border of dots.
Translation: Mother of God, help Theoktiste, zoste patrikia and mother-in-law of the Emperor.
Weight: 9.83 g.
Diameter: 26.64 mm.
Of great historical value and unpublished.
This seal belongs to Theoktiste Phlorina who was the mother of Empress Theodora and mother-in-law of Emperor Theophilos. In the ninth century the official title of zoste patrikia, was first granted to Theoktiste, mother of Theodora; it created a special honour for mothers of empresses, who wore a particularly belt (zoste) and gained the highest patrician rank reserved to women in court hierarchy. Theoktiste is described in sources as a iconodule which was much to the displeasure of the her son-in-law who was an ardent iconoclast. She bought a mansion in Constantinople, in the quarter of Psamathia (modern Samatya), from the patrikios Niketas, which became her residence. Her house was later transformed into the Gastria Monastery. Theoktiste and Theodora, as well as other members of the family, were buried there. For Theoktiste Phlorina, see Guilland 1971, p. 273–274; ODB, "Theophilos" (P. A. Hollingsworth), p. 2066; PmbZ 8025.
The only known seal of Theoktiste Phlorina to date bears the title of ‘mother of the empress’ (μητηρ της βασιλεισης); see BLS II 1083; Oikonomides, Dated Byzantine Lead Seals 48; Roma Numismatics 93, 1486. But now, with our unique seal, we learn that Theoktiste also liked to bear the title of mother-in-law (ἡ πενθερά) of the emperor, although she had religious controversy with her son-in-law.

Described by Pactolus Numismatic Academy (PNA).