BYZANTINE SEALS. Maria. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 25 mm, 17.23 g, 12 h). MHP ΘY Bust of the Virgin Mary in the type of Hagiosoritissa, standing facing, with both her hands raised in supplication. Rev. + CΩΖ/ΟΙC AΓNH / ΜΕ ΤΗΝ CE/BACTHN / MAPIAN (Virgin Mary please save me, sebaste Maria) in five lines within round dotted border. Scarce seal belonging to a woman from an aristocratic family. Very fine.

The style of the seal as well as the depiction of Hagiosoritissa is such that it should be related to the capital of the empire. Possibly the owner of this seal was from Constantinople or somewhere close, possibly Thrace.