Johannes, protospatharios and logothetes of the Herds, circa 750-850. Seal (Lead, 27 mm, 12.24 g, 12 h). Cruciform monogram ΘEOTOKЄ BOHΘЄI; in angles, [Tω] - C[ω] / Δ૪-Λω. Rev. +IωA[NNH] / A'CΠAΘ[, S Λ]/OΓOΘ, Tω[N] / AΓЄΛω[N] in four lines. Laurent, Corpus II -. Zacos/Veglery -. Struck on a short blank, otherwise, very fine.

A logothetes, of which there were several in the Byzantine Empire, was a high ranking government official, equivalent to a minister or secretary of state. Johannes, being logothetes of the Herds (ton agelon), was in charge of the horses and mules that were reared in western Asia Minor. These animals were eventually deployed in the army and the imperial postal service.