Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1120. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Theodore. Metropolitan of Tarsos, mid to late 7th century. PB Seal (23mm, 11.74 g, 12h). O/AG/IOC in left field; P/AV/LO/C in right field; facing bust of St. Paul with pointed beard, wearing himation; +TAPC/OV in two lines below / QEODwR(OY) MHTPOPOLIT(OY) in cruciform monogram. BLS I 2965a; DOCBS -; Seyrig -; Vatican -; Orghidan -; Jordanov -. Good VF, tan patina.

From the Robert E. Hecht Collection.

A seal similar to this and the following lot has been assigned to the metropolitan of Tarsos named Theodore who participated in the Sixth Ecumenical Council held in Constantinople in 680-1. The purpose of the council was to settle the controversy over Monotheletism, a theological movement that was intended to serve as a compromise between Orthodox Christians and Monophysites but which ultimately resulted in further quarreling.