Theodora, basilissa and porphyrogennetos, 1042-1056. Seal (Lead, 33 mm, 34.40 g, 11 h), before 1055. [ΘЄOTO]KЄ ROHΘЄI TH CH ΔOV ('Mother of God, help your servant'); in fields, [
MHP] - ΘV The Mother of God 'Blachernitissa', draped and nimbate, raising both hands in prayer.
Rev. +ΘЄOΔⲰ/PA RACIΛIC/CH TH ΠO[P]/ΦVPOΓЄ[N]/NHTⲰ in five lines, with decorations above and below. Apparently unpublished. An exceptionally well preserved seal of the highest historical importance. Scuffs on both sides and with minor surface cracks
, otherwise, good extremely fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
This seal must belong to Theodora Porphyrogenita, the daughter of Constantine VIII Porphyrogenitus. She and her sister, Zoe, inherited the throne in 1042, after the death of their father. Eventually, at the advanced age of 74 years old, Theodora would reign the Empire alone, as the last ruler of the Macedonian dynasty. The two seal types that are known from her short reign (BBÖ 19 and Zacos/Veglery 82) show the empress in full regalia, bearing the imperial title of 'augousta'. Our seal, calling her 'basilissa', must thus date to the period before her sole reign
