Aaron, protoproedros and doux, after 1059. Seal (Lead, 31 mm, 18.78 g, 12 h). Θ ΘЄ/O-Δ/ⲰP/O, Nimbate bust of Saint Theodore facing, holding spear over his right shoulder and resting shield on his left arm. Rev. +KЄ / ROHΘЄI / AAPⲰN ΠPⲰ/TOΠPOЄΔPⲰ / KAI ΔOV/KI in six lines. Zacos II 354. An attractive and well preserved seal, struck on a large flan and with a fine depiction of the saint. Some minor doubling on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.


Aaron was a son of the Bulgarian tsar, Ivan Vladislav, who made a brilliant career in Byzantine service on the eastern borders of the empire. Seal types and narrative sources mention him being doux of Ani and Iberia (in present Armenia and Georgia), doux of Mesopotamia and katepano of Vaspurakan. Our seal mentions his highest attested dignity, which was that of a protoproedros.