Byzantine lead seal of Photios spatharokandidatos
(ca 12th cent.)
Obverse: Bust of the Mother of God, facial, nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion in orans posture (iconographic type of "Nikopoios"), with Jesus Christ as infant in medallion on her chest, sigla ΜΡ-ΘV (Mother of God), dotted border.

Reverse: Inscription in 5 lines, +ΘΚΕRΘ,/ΤΩCΩΔΟΥ,/ΦΩΤΙΩC/ΠΑΘ,Ρ,Κ/ΔΔ = Θεοτόκε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Φωτίῳ σπαθαροκανδιδάτῳ (Mother of God help your servant Photios spatharokandidatos), dotted border.

Condition: Very Fine

Weight: 3,6 gram
Diameter: 15,7 mm