Dated to 692/3

Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1119. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $525. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

George and Theophylaktos. Genikoi commerciarioi of the Apotheke of Isauria and Lycaonia. PB Seal (32mm, 18.32 g, 12h). Dated IY 6 of Justinian II (692/3). GEwRGIw PATRI[KI(OY)]S QEOFVLAKT(OY), Justinian II, crowned, standing facing, wearing divitision and loros, and holding a cross tipped scepter; ł in left field, S in right / +GENIK/wN KOMM[E]/RKHARIwN [A]/POQHKHC IC/AVPIACS L/VKAON[IAC] in six lines. Cf. BLS I 177; DOCBS -; Seyrig -; Vatican -; Orghidan -; Jordanov -. Good VF, light tan surfaces.

From the Robert E. Hecht Collection.

Imperial officials often followed the political trajectory of the emperors they were appointed under. This is demonstrated in the seals of George and Theophylaktos. The majority of their seals date from the first reign of Justinian, prior to his dethronement and mutilation by Leontius in 695. It was only after Justinian regained power in 705 that the George and Theophylaktos appear to have reassumed their positions as genikoi commerciarioi.