Georgios, last quarter 13th-1st half 14th century. Seal (Lead, 42 mm, 34.14 g, 12 h). O AΓ / IⲰ - O / ΘЄO/ΛOΓ/O, Saint John the Theologian, nimbate, standing facing, raising his right hand in benediction and holding a book of Gospels in his left hand. Rev. ΓЄⲰPΓION / [CK]ЄΠOIC MЄ C/ЄMNЄ ΠAPΘЄNЄ / ΛVXNOC ΓЄΓO MO / TOIC ΠOCI ΦOC / [TA]C TPIBOIC ('Revered pure youth, may you protect Georgios' - 'A lamp to my feet and a light to my path') in six lines. Wassiliou-Seibt, Corpus 248. Zacos II 775. A wonderful late depiction of John the Theologian with a charming verse legend quoting Scripture. Marks and scratches and partial striking weakness, otherwise, good very fine.



The reverse legend consists of two twelve-syllable verses, a poetic form that was very popular in Byzantine literature. The second verse quotes Psalm 119:105.