Help Deciphering Byzantine Legends - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,243
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7956 Posts	Posted 04/15/2020 3:19 pm Not mine, but I ran across this item described as a lead seal of Byzantine emperor Isaac II (1185-1195). I think I have figured out the image is probably St. Demetrius or possibly St. George. I was wondering if anyone has experience figuring out Byzantine legends? Edited by tdziemia 04/15/2020 3:25 pm Report this Post to the Staff

echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 04/15/2020 4:26 pm This appears to be a lead seal and not a coin. The legend is not clear enough for me to figure out. I'll see if I can locate any information on his seals and get back to you if I find anything. Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 04/15/2020 4:46 pm I'm not sure this is Isaac II, here his a link to the Dumbarton Oaks catalog of Byzantine seals this should help in your search. https://www.doaks.org/resources/sea...ls#b_start=0 Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7956 Posts	Posted 04/15/2020 6:29 pm Quote: here his a link to the Dumbarton Oaks catalog of Byzantine seals Thanks! I did run across that when I Googled "lead seal Isaac II." I'm just starting to educate myself on this era, and even if I wouldn't get a lead seal, am trying to learn about the iconography and legends. For the record, the auction documentation calls this an image of Christ with a spear and shield Don't think so. Report this Post to the Staff
Kushanshah Pillar of the Community United States 1554 Posts	Posted 04/15/2020 8:42 pm The obverse figure is St. George (Θ/ΓE/Ω/[P] - ΓI/O/C). My best stab at the reverse is: +ECPAΓ ΓEωPΓIOU TOU [UIOU] TOU MEΓAΛOUU ΔO MECTIKOU +esrag Georgiou tou uiou tou megalou do- mestikou + this is the seal of George the son of the Grand Do- mestic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Domestic I'm not 100% certain of the 3rd line "of the son of" but otherwise reasonably clear. Edited by Kushanshah 04/15/2020 9:15 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34427 Posts	Posted 04/15/2020 9:47 pm Well done @ks! Would it be too corny to state that it all looks like Greek to me? "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7956 Posts	Posted 04/16/2020 07:58 am @kushanshah, thanks very much. On the iconograpghy, both George and Demetrius are military saints, martyred young (no beard), and each shown with spear and shield in Byzantine art. Of course, George often shown with dragon, but not Demetrius. I'd hoped the legend would help so thank you for confirming. Seems I need to work on Greek. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,243

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