Hi you guys! I won this little thing from eBay. It is said a bronze medieval seal, but I think it is not because legend of seal shouldn't be reversed? Any one can identify it? And any Latin expert can tell what the legend says? Many thanks!
The legend starts at 10 o'clock. It looks like KEBOHOHTONEXONTAME to me. The two N are both reversed. Some numismatic expert told me it should be as late as 15 or 16 century. Any idea of it is welcome! Many thanks!
The legend isn't Latin. The beginning, at least, is a traditional invocation on Byzantine seals. But it is certainly not one of those - I agree with the 15th-16th century estimate.
Thank you for your information, Ardatirion! Byzantine used Greek, but the legend is neither Latin nor Greek. So it needs further research. It is interesting!
Have you tried russian? They have an alphabetic charector that is a backwards N. If not russian, possibly a different language using a cyrilic alphabet.
I am just thinking it is not a seal because the legend of seals should be reversed. Then the legend in the impress would be right letters. But on this one, only N is reversed. As I know, some British hammered coins have reversed N. Siberian Man can tell if the legend is Russian, but I guess it is not. Let me wait for Siberian Man, hehe
It is neither seal nor coin, but a button. It would have had a welded metal loop on the back, which is now corroded or torn away. It is in old Cyrillic, and seems inscribed (in cast bronze?), not hammered. Transliteration: KEVON ON TO YE UDITA ME; word for word translation: KEVON (name?) HE IT IS DUCKLING MINE. Compliments of my very educated Ukrainian wife. She thinks it was a single button of the type used to hold together a winter cape or fur jacket. Note that the "D" of UDITA is more rounded than the typically pointed "O"s. Probably made by a loving father for his young son.
Thank you so much, John!Your comments are of great help to me. I have never thought of that this question could be answered after almost one and a half year.BTW, do you have any idea about its possible time?You cannot imagine how glad I am when this question was answered after such a long time! Thanks again!
