Theodore II Ducas-Lascaris, emperor of Nicaea, 1254-1258. Seal (Lead, 29 mm, 25.36 g, 12 h). … - O C/TPA/TH/Λ Saint Theodore Stratelates, standing facing, nimbate, holding spear in his right hand, and resting left hand on a shield. Rev. ANAK[TO]/ΠAIΔA Δ૪[KAN] / AΘΛHTA CKЄΠ[OIC] / ΘЄOΔⲰP[ON] / ΛACKAPIN [TON] / BACI[ΛЄA] ('Champion, may you protect Theodoros Doukas Laskaris, emperor and son of the emperor') in six lines. Hecht collection 3. Stavrakos 142. Zacos/Veglery 2755. A very rare late imperial Byzantine seal. Struck on an undersized blank, otherwise, good very fine.



After the desastrous sack of Constantinopolis in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade, and the foundation of the Latin Empire that came with it, many aristocratic families fled the Capital to set up successor states elsewhere. One of such states was the Empire of Nicaea, founded by the Laskaris family. The owner of our seal was the grandson of the empire's founder Theodore I, and the son of Theodore's successor John III Doukas Batatzes. It is likely that our seal is Theodore's imperial seal, even though it lacks his portrait.