Konstantinos, apo hypaton, 7th century. Seal (Lead, 29 mm, 14.92 g, 12 h). Horse galloping to right. Rev. KⲰN/[CT]ANTI/[N]OV AΠO / VΠAT in four lines. Cf. Zacos/Veglery 1376 (illustrios and chartularios). A rare iconographical type for a Byzantine seal. Holed, otherwise, very fine.


The horse on the obverse of this lovely seal perhaps serves as an allusion to Konstantinos' office. He may have been employed in the imperial stables or in the supporting structure for the army, for which the rearing of horses and pack-animals formed a large part