Sergios, archbishop (patriarch) of Konstantinopolis, the New Rome, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 34 mm, 29.20 g, 12 h). +…ΔOVΛ, - [O] / A/Γ/ CЄ/P-Γ/I/OC Nimbate bust of Saint Sergios facing, wearing a jeweled chlamys, holding a cross in his right hand. Rev. CЄ[PΓ]IⲰ / APXIЄΠI/CK, KⲰNCTAN/TINOVΠOΛ, / NЄAC PⲰ/M in six lines. Apparently unpublished and of great historical interest. A massive new patriarchal seal. Some corrosion and marks, otherwise, good very fine.


The precise attribution of this new patriarchal seal type is problematic. The only 11th-century patriarch named Sergios held office from 1001 to 1019, and his seals are already known; they differ markedly from the present specimen in style, lettering, and iconography. Moreover, the style of our seal suggests a later date, perhaps toward the middle of the 11th century. Finally, the depiction of St Sergios is highly unusual for a patriarch of Constantinople. With a few exceptions in the iconoclastic period - and one prelate who chose Christ - patriarchal seals overwhelmingly adopt the Mother of God as their device.