Tarasios, anthypatos patrikios and imperial protospatharios epi tou Chrysotriklinou, 9th century. Seal (Lead, 23 mm, 7.21 g, 12 h). +ΘЄOTOKЄ… The Annunciation: on the left, the Virgin, nimbate, standing to right, facing the angel Gabriel, nimbate, advancing left towards the Virgin, raising his right hand, and holding scepter in his left. Rev. TAPA/CIⲰ ANΘIΠ, / [Π]ATPIK, R’A’/CΠAΘ’ S ЄΠI / TU XPVCOT,/KΛINOV in six lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Surface cracks along the channel, otherwise, very fine.



The owner of this seal may possibly be identified with the Tarasios listed as a representative of the Senate in the attendance records of the Council of 869/870 in Constantinople, during which Patriarch Photios was excommunicated and his deposition confirmed.