The Monastery of Saint Theophylaktos on Mount Kouzenas, mid 11th century. Seal (Lead, 26 mm, 9.46 g, 12 h). MHP ΘV Nimbate bust of the Mother of God facing, both her hands half-raised before her, palms outward. Rev. Θ / ΘЄ/ΟΦ - [T૪ K૪]ZH/N Nimbate bust of Saint Theophylaktos facing, both his hands half-raised before him, palms outward. Cf. Berlin II 314 (different type, see note). An interesting monastic seal bearing two wonderful portraits. Rough spot in the right reverse field, otherwise, good very fine.


The seal published by Claudia Sode from a private collection in Berlin is very similar to ours, but it has a Mother of God of the Nikopoios type on the obverse. On the reverse appears a bust of a bearded saint in an identical pose, with his hands half-raised in prayer. The legend is also slightly more elaborate, identifying the holy man as 'Saint Theophylaktos of Kouzenas, our father'. Sode attributes the seal to the monastery dedicated to this saint, located on Mount Kouzanas near Smyrna.