Georgios, patrikios and strategos and servant of Saint Elias (?), 11th century. Seal (Lead, 30 mm, 17.82 g, 12 h). Γ/Є-Ⲱ/P/Γ, Saint George, standing facing, nimbate, holding spear in his right hand, and resting left hand on a shield. Rev. +KЄ R.../ ΓЄⲰPΓIⲰ / ΠPIKIⲰ K, CT[P]/TIΓ, OC TOV A/ΓIOV HΛI/OV in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Cf. Leu Numismatik Web Auction 31 (2024), 1692. A large and impressive seal with an intriguing reverse legend. Flan flaw and some deposits, otherwise, very fine.



If our reading is correct, the reverse legend of this seal closes with a personal pledge in which the seal's owner expresses his devotion to St. Elias. This is something quite extraordinary, as invocations of patron saints are usually stated at the beginning of a seal legend.