Sale: Triton V, Lot: 2304. Estimate $3000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2002.  Sold For $5250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Ekdikoi of Hagia Sophia. Circa 11th Century AD. Lead Seal - 54 mm (93.01 gm). + [U]PERAGIA QEOTOKE ROHQEI, the Virgin standing on left and Justinian standing at right, holding between them a model of the church of Hagia Sophia, the large dome on three arches surmounted by a cross of four pellets; in the field above and below the building, vertical inscription: H/A/G/I/A C/O/F/I/A; C F across field / + TOIC QE/OCERCETA(sic)/TOIC PREC/RVTEPOIC/KAI EKKLH/CEKÐIK in six lines. Zacos and Veglery 62. EF, brown patina. ($3000)

A symbol of the dedication of the building to the patroness of Constantinople, the obverse depicts the emperor Justinian I presenting the church of Hagia Sophia to the Virgin.