202, Lot: 523. Estimate $100. Sold for $321. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Kosmas. Protospatharios and protostrator of Constantine (VIII or IX?), first half of 11th century. PB Seal (25mm, 7.45 g, 11h). +ΘKЄ[...] ωΔ• around, MP to left, Θ to upper right, half length figure of the Theotokos Hodeghetria facing, head slightly right, wearing maphorion, raising right hand in adoration, holding infant Christ in left arm; Christ raising right hand in benediction, holding [scroll in left] / [+K]OCMA/ [A]CΠAΘ,S A/CTPATOP, / KωNCTAN/[TI]NOV ΔЄC/ΠOTOV(‘OV’s ligate) in six lines; -+- below. BLS II 831; DOCBS -. Good VF, flat strike on chest of Christ and corresponding area on reverse. Rare, and slightly finer than the Zacos specimen.

A protostrator was the chief of stratores (grooms of the imperial stables), and accompanied the emperor while on horseback. Protospatharios was a title of dignity which, by Kosmas’ time, was beginning to lose some of its significance.