Experts in Coins & Medals

BYZANTINE SEALS, Imperial Families. Theodoros I Komnenos Laskaris, despotes, circa 1203/4-1208. Seal (Lead, 40.5 mm, 31.97 g, 12 h), the seal of the future Emperor of Nicaea, Theodoros I Komnenos Laskaris, 1204-1208. O/ A/OC/Γ ΘEO/ΔΩ/ΡΟ/C St. Theodore standing facing, nimbate, dressed in military attire, holding a spear with his right hand and resting his left on a shield beside him; the whole within a circular dotted border. Rev. + ΜΑΡΤYC / ΚΟΜΝΗΝΟΝ / ΘΕΟΔΩΡΟΝ / ΔΕCΠΟΤΗΝ• /ΑΝΑΚΤΟΦΥ૪C / CYZYΓON ANNH/C CΚΕΠΟΙC (St. Theodore please protect the Despotes Theodore Komnenos, husband of Anna [Angelina Komnene] born with the blood of the king) in eight metric lines, the whole within a circular dotted border. Wassiliou-Seibt Metrischen 1372a cor. (CYZYΓ૪ instead of CYZYΓON) = Zacos 2753. A highly interesting and historical seal, in exceptional condition. Some flatness and encrustations, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

THESSALY, Thessalian League. Mid-late 1st century BC. Didrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 6.08 g, 1 h), Struck under the magistrates Menekrates and Alexandros. Head of Zeus to right, wearing oak wreath. Rev. ΜΕΝΕ-ΚΡΑΤ / ΘΕΣΣΑ/ΛΩΝ / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ Athena Itonia striding right, hurling spear with her right hand and extending shield in her left. BCD Thessaly 886.2. HGC 4, 210. Attractively toned. Old cleaning scratches, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.