★ Petros, komistes and archon of Serbia ★

Petros, komistes and archon of Serbia, 10th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 11.65 g, 12 h). Θ / ΠЄ/TP/O, - O / A/ΠO/CT,/Λ Facing bust of the Apostle Peter, nimbate, holding long cross in his right hand and scroll in his left. Rev. +KЄ R, / ΠЄTPO K,/MICTH KЄ / ARX’ CEP/BHAC ('Lord, help Petros, caretaker and archon of Serbia') in five lines. Apperently unpublished. A beautifully preserved seal of high historical interest. Struck slightly off center, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

From the collection of Dr. D. Löer, ex Kölner Münzkabinett Tyll Kroha 112, 19 October 2019, 453 and Kölner Münzkabinett Tyll Kroha 108, 7 April 2018, 566.

On this seal, Petros bears two intriguing titles. First, the term 'komistes' seems to be without parallels in sigillography. It is used here to describe Petros as being the 'caretaker' of the theme of Serbia, which was established after the subjugation of the first Bulgarian empire by the emperor, Basil II, after the battle of Dyrrhachion (1018). Secondly, the office of 'archon of Serbia' likely paraphrases the office of 'strategos of Serbia'.