Johannes Doukas, the most fortunate kaisar, 1060-1071. Seal (Lead, 35 mm, 30.17 g, 11 h). [+ΘKЄ] ROHΘЄI TⲰ CⲰ ΔOVΛⲰ / [MHP] - ΘV Nimbate Mother of God 'Nikopoios' facing, holding medallion of Christ with both hands. Rev. IⲰ TⲰ ЄVTVXЄCTAT, KAICA[PI] ('John, the most fortunate kaisar') Facing bust of Johannes Doukas, bearded, holding cross in his right hand and wearing stephanos surmounted by cross, divisiton and richly ornamented chlamys. Zacos/Veglery 2683. An absolutely spectacular seal with arguably the finest known portrait of John the Kaisar. Minor doubling and flatness on the obverse, otherwise, about extremely fine.



Johannes Doukas was the sole brother of the emperor, Constantine X (1059-1067), who elevated him to the rank of kaisar in 1060. Contemporary sources usually speak quite favorably of him and simply call him 'the Kaisar'. In 1071, upon the ascension of his nephew, Michael VII, to the throne, Johannes became the tutor of the new emperor and acquired the special dignity of basileopator. A few years later, he became involved in a plot against the emperor, however, but the conspiracy was discovered and Johannes was arrested. To avoid punishment, he became a monk and entered Constantinopolis in 1075 in monastic garb. We can trace Johannes' career through his seals, which fall into three distinct groups. The first, to which our seal belongs, dates to 1060-1071 and mentions the title of kaisar and the epithet eutychestatos, 'most fortunate'. The second, dated to 1071-circa 1074, mentions the dignity of basileopator (Zacos/Veglery 2684). Lastly, there is a third group, which was produced from circa 1075 until his passing in circa 1088, recording the name and titles Ignatios, monachos and kaisar.