Niketas, bishop, late 7th-early 8th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 15.77 g, 12 h). A/ΓI/O - Π/ΛA/TⲰ/N Nimbate bust of St. Plato facing, holding cross. Rev. [+KЄ]BO/HΘI NIK/ITA ЄΠ/ICKOΠO in four lines. Apparently unpublished. An interesting ecclesiastical seal bearing the portrait of an extremely rare saint. Some breakage on the channel mouth and minor flatness, otherwise, very fine.


Saint Plato is rarely depicted on seals; another depiction can be found on a seal belonging to a protos named John (Laurent V/2, 1312 and Zacos/Veglery 1272A). Plato of Ancyra was martyred in 266 after he refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods and acclaim the greatness of Apollo. When questioned by the Roman governor, he stated that, although his namesake, the Greek philosopher Plato, was very wise, his wisdom was limited, and the eternal wisdom of the Gospels far greater.