Experts in Coins & Medals

BYZANTINE SEALS, Imperial Families. Andronikos Kantakuzenos, c. mid 13th century. Seal (Lead, 40.5 mm, 28.81 g, 12 h). O AΓ / ΘΕ /ΟΔΩ/PO/C - O / TH/ΡΩ/N St. Theodore Tiron (St. Theodore the Recruit), nimbate, bearded and in military attire, standing facing, holding a spear with his left hand and placing his left hand on his cross-decorated shield, set on the ground beside him. Rev. +ΑΝΔΡΩΝΙ/ΚΟΝ ΜΑΡΤΥC ΜΕ / ΚΕCΑΡΩΝ ΓΩΝΩ / ΠΟΡΦΥΡΩΦΥΕΙ ΚΑΤΑΚΟΥZΗΝΩΝ / CKEΠΕΙC (= St. Theodore please protect me, the Andronikos Kantakouzenos, offspring of Caesars, born in the purple) in six metric lines. Apparently unpublished, but cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, metrischen, 102 for a seal of Andronikos with the title protostrator. Well-centered and with a pleasant tan patina. Good very fine.

EGYPT. Alexandria. Vespasian, 69-79. Diobol (Bronze, 29 mm, 11.70 g, 11 h), dated regnal year ENAT (9) = 76/7. ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. ΖΕΥΣ ΣΑΡΑΠΙΣ / L ENAT Zeus-Serapis seated to left with staff in his left hand; [at his feet, Cerberus]. Dattari 406. Geissen 314. RPC II, 2457. Very rare. Holed in antiquity; minor encrustations, otherwise, about very fine.