Imperial byzantine lead seal of Romanos IV, Eudocia, Michael Vii, Constantine, and Andronikos
(1068-1071)
Obverse: Three figures standing and facial: in center, Christ bearded wearing a tunic and himation and standing on a dais. Christ has a nimbus cruciger. With uplifted arms he places a cross-topped crown on the bearded head of emperor Romanos at the left and a crown with three triangular projections on the head of Eudokia at the right. Romanos wears a loros and holds the right hand before his chest and a globus cruciger in the left; Eudokia wears a loros and holds the left hand before her chest and a globus cruciger in the right. Sigla at left and right of Christ’s head: Ι(ΗCΟΥ)C Χ(ΡΙCΤΟ)C (Jesus Christ). Circular inscription, +ΡΩΜΑΝ(ΟC) (ΚΑΙ) ΕΥΔΟΚ(Ι)Α (Romanos and Eudocia), all within dotted border.
Reverse: Three figures standing and facial: in center, Michael VII (taller), wearing a crown with a cross and a loros and holding a labarum in the right hand and an akakia in the left. He is flanked by the shorter, beardless figures of Constantine at the left and Andronikos at the right. Each stands on a circular dais, and wears a crown with a cross and a loros. Constantine holds a globus surmounted by a trefoil ornament in the right hand and an akakia in the left. Andronikos holds an akakia in the right hand and a globus surmounted by a trefoil ornament in the left. All the figures wear a crown with pendilia. Circular inscription, ΚΩΝ(CTANTIOC). ΜΙΧ(AHΛ). ΑΝΔ(ΡΟΝΙΚΟC) (Constantios. Michael, Andronikos), all within dotted border.
Total inscription: Ῥωμανὸς καὶ Εὐδοκία, Κωνστάντιος, Μιχαήλ, Ἀνδρόνικος (Romanos and Eudokia. Konstantine, Michael, Andronikos).
Note: A good number of parallel pieces are kept at Dumbarton Oaks and Fogg Museum. Cf. DO Seals 6, no. 82.3; Zacos-Veglery, no. 93a.

Condition: Very Fine

Weight: 31.00 gr
Diameter: 29 mm