Johannes, vestes and judge of the Thrakesion theme, second half 11th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 13.70 g, 12 h). +ΓPA/ΦAC CΦP[A]/ΓIZⲰ KA[I] / KPICЄIC / IⲰANN૪ ('I seal the documents and decisions of Johannes') in five lines. Rev. RЄCT૪ / [Δ]IKACΠO/Λ૪ TЄ TⲰN / ΘPAKHCI/ⲰN ('vestes and judge of the Thrakesians') in five lines. Apparently unpublished, but a parallel example appeared in Leu Web Auction 16 (2021), 4147. Irregular blank and scratches on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.


This interesting and apparently unpublished seal of a provincial judge has its legend divided over both sides in the form of two twelve-syllable verses. Johannes uses the word 'dikaspolos' instead of the expected 'krites' for 'judge', undoubtedly for poetic reasons