★ An exceptionally heavy seal of a provincial judge ★

Nikolaos, mystolektes, imperial protonotarios and judge of Chaldia and Derxene, middle 11th century. Seal (Lead, 33 mm, 43.28 g, 11 h). MHP - ΘV
Half-length bust of the Mother of God “Hagiosoritissa”, nimbate to left, both hands raised in supplication, facing the hand of God (?), in upper left field. Rev. +ΘKЄ R,Θ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪Λ, / NIKOΛAⲰ MV/CTOΛЄKT, R'A'/NOTAP, S KPIT, / XAΛΔ, S ΔЄP/ΞHNHC in seven lines. Unpublished in the standard references. An exceptionally heavy seal of a provincial judge with a wonderful depiction of the Virgin on the obverse. Some roughness on the edge of the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.