Johannes Komnenos, kouropalates and domestikos of the regiments of the West, 1057-1067. Seal (Lead, 35 mm, 31.22 g, 12 h). ... - Γ/Є/ⲰP/ΓI/O, Nimbate bust of Saint George facing, holding spear transversely over his left shoulder and resting shield on his left arm . Rev. +KЄ ROHΘ, / TⲰ CⲰ Δ૪ΛⲰ / IⲰ KOPOΠAΛ,T, / S ΔOMЄCTIKⲰ / TⲰN CXOΛⲰN / THC ΔVCAIOC / [T]Ⲱ KOMNH/[NⲰ] in eight lines; above, decorations. DO Seals I, 1.18. Zacos/Veglery 2681 bis. An impressive seal of an important Byzantine commander and major historical figure. The obverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, good very fine.


John Komnenos was the younger brother of the emperor Isaac I Komnenos (1057-1059). He was a renowned general, serving as supreme commander of the army under his brother. After the abdication of Isaac, John retreated from public life and died in 1067, surely not knowing that he would become the progenitor of an imperial dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire for a century, and the Empire of Trebizond for another two-and-a-half, when his son Alexios I Komnenos succeeded to the throne in 1081. His granddaughter, Anna Komnene, daughter of Alexios, became one of the most famed Byzantine historians (and the first known female historian!) with her Alexiad, recording the history of the empire during her father's reign.