★ Well struck and beautifully preserved ★

Michael, judge, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 24 mm, 8.10 g, 12 h). AP/X - [MIX] Nimbate facing bust of St. Michael, holding scepter in his right hand and globe in his left. Rev. [+CΦPA]/Γ, ΠЄΦV[K,] / MIXAH[Λ] / ΔIKACΠ,/Λ૪ ("I am the seal of the judge Michael") in five lines. Wassiliou-Seibt 2718. Well struck and beautifully preserved. Struck on a small flan and with a scrape on reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.

Ex Leu Web Auction 31, 7-8 September 2024, 1669 and previously from a European collection, formed before 2005.

Wassiliou-Seibt cites a very poorly preserved parallel example in Dumbarton Oaks. Our seal, which is in much better condition, confirms her reading and allows for the identification of the obverse bust as the Archangel Michael. The term 'dikaspolos' is a poetic way to denote a judicial official within the meter of the twelve-syllable verse.