Lucky attribution

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by Ardatirion, Apr 5, 2012.

  1. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    A while back, I had purchased a group lot of tesserae that came with two seals. Byzantine seals are notoriously difficult to attribute even if they're in good condition and these two were real dogs. A few months later, as I flipped through an auction catalog, I saw a piece with same size and initial letters. Lo and behold it was a match!
    [​IMG]
    BYZANTINE. Basileos. Circa 1080-1180
    PB Seal (16mm, 5.15 g, 12h)
    CΦPA/ ΓIC ΠЄ/ ΦVKA
    TωN/ ΛOΓωN/ RACIΛ
    Münz Zentrum 161 (11 January 2012), lot 841, otherwise unpublished

    Ex Classical Numismatic Group E267, lot 685 (part of)

    As seals were personal objects that were used much as signatures are today, there is little hope of ever knowing who this particular Basileos was. Larger seals frequently cite the title and position of the owner, who was often a minor dignitary or noble, but a small one like gives little information.

     
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  3. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Its nice to find the right attribution on coins (or tesserae) you've all but given up on. Congrats.
     
  4. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    Hmm. Cointalk does not seem to like seals. :D
     
  5. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    At least 2 of us do.
     
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