Seal of Richard of Salerno

CNG 87, Lot: 1348. Estimate $750. Sold for $1300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CRUSADERS, Edessa. Richard of Salerno(?). Regent, 1104-1108. PB Seal (29mm, 18.09 g, 1h). Richard left on horseback, holding long spear and Norman shield; tendrils below / [+ K]Є BΘHΘH H P B ΔPΔKONOC TA ... (sic), facing bust of Christ(?), holding cross in right hand, and book of Gospels in left. BLS -; DOCBS -; Seyrig -; Vatican -; Orghidan -; Jordanov -; Triton XI, lot 1213 (same dies). VF, earthen dark green patina. Very rare.

From the J.S. Wagner Collection.

This seal may belong to Richard of Salerno (also known as Richard of the Principate), participant in the First Crusade and Regent of Edessa from 1104-1008. Richard ineffectually governed Edessa, the first and one of the largest Crusader states, failing to gain the loyalty of his Armenian subjects.