Nikephoros Bourtzes, magistros and katepano, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 22 mm, 8.27 g, 12 h). +KЄ RO/HΘЄI TⲰ / CⲰ Δ૪ΛⲰ / NIKHΦO/PⲰ in five lines; above and below, decorations. Rev. MAΓI/CTPⲰ KA[I] / KATЄΠAN, / TⲰ ROV[P]/TZH in five lines; above and below, decorations. Cheynet, Société p. 369-370. Very fine.


There are a number of seals surviving of Nikephoros Bourtzes, as J.-C. Cheynet shows in his prosopographical study of the Bourtzes family. Another seal, currently in Dumbarton Oaks, lists the office of katepano alongside the dignity of vestes. In the early 12th century Nikephoros eventually rose to the rank of proedros. This most elevated title does not occur on seals, but is attested by a land transaction with the Dochiariou monastery on Mount Athos.