Johannes, 2nd half 10th-1st half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 21 mm, 4.30 g, 11 h). Θ / Π/O/Λ/V-K/P/A/ΠO, Bust of Saint Polykarpos of Smyrna facing, wearing bishop's robes, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left. Rev. +KЄ RO/HΘЄI TⲰ / CⲰ ΔOVΛ / IⲰANN in four lines, decorations above and below. Unpublished in the standard references. A beautiful representation of an extremely rare saint. Minor breakage on the channel mouth, otherwise, good very fine.

The early Christian martyr Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna in the 2nd century. He is regarded as one of the three apostolic fathers, along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch. According to Jerome, Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle and was also ordained by him as bishop of Smyrna. According to his hagiography, he died at the stake, stabbed to death when the fire failed to burn his body. On Byzantine seals, images of Polycarp are extremely rare. Typically, he appears on seals of bishops of Smyrna.