Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2300. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Michael III (of Anchialos), Patriarch of Constantinople. January 1170-March 1178 AD. Lead 44mm Seal (53.98 gm). The Virgin Platytera, nimbate, wearing chiton and maphorion, seated facing on an arched thokos of six legs, holding the infant Christ (also nimbate) in her lap, who is clad in a chiton and himation; MR-QV / MIXAHL/ELEwQVARCI/EPICKOPOC KwN/POLEwCNE[AC]/RwMHCKAI[OI]/KoMENIKO[C]/PRIARCHC, inscription in six lines. Zacos II, 26; Laurent V/1, 24. Good VF, nice brown and black patina, mild porosity. Rare. ($1500)

Far superior to the specimen plated in Zacos, this seal has a much fuller flan, lacks a ragged edge, and also is not pierced. The patriarch responsible for the production of this seal resided in the Hagia Sophia.