Byzantine Lead Seal (Lead, 9.57 g. 21 mm.) the laura of St. Sabas (11th-12th century) Byzantine Lead Seal (Lead, 9.57 g. 21 mm.) the laura of St. Sabas (11th-12th century)
Obv: Bust of St. Sabas orans in monastic garb. Remains of a vertical inscription: [Ὁ ἅ(γιος) Σ]ά[β]α[ς]. Border of dots.
Rev: Inscription of four lines: [+Τῆς λ]αύρας τοῦ ἁγίου Σάβ[α]. Border of dots.
Translation: (Seal) of the laura of St. Sabas.
DO Seals 5 no. 19.7; Laurent, Corpus 5.2: no. 1577; Likhachev, Molivdovuly, 46 (no. LVIII, 16), and Seyrig, no. 287.
Now known as Mar Saba, located southeast of Jersualem in the Judaean desert. The monastic complex of St. Sabas was founded in 483 by the famous ascete Sabas (d. 532) and continues to function today. See Laurent, Corpus 5.2:409; ODB 3:1823–1824; and Patrich, Sabas.

Year: 11th-12th century
Diameter: 21 mm
Weight: 9.57 g
Material: Lead