Theodore I Comnenus-Lascaris. Emperor of Nicaea, 1208-1222. PB Seal (43mm, 21.06 g, 12h). VF.

Electronic Auction 571 – Session 2
Lot: 1287. Estimated: $ 300

Byzantine, Lead

Sold For $ 275. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Theodore I Comnenus-Lascaris. Emperor of Nicaea, 1208-1222. PB Seal (43mm, 21.06 g, 12h). Θ / ΘЄ/O/Δω/PO/[C] - O (CT)PA/THΛA/TH/C, Saint Theodore Stratelates standing facing, nimbate, holding spear and resting hand on shield set on ground to right / ΘЄO/Δω/POC / ΔЄC/ΠO/THC - KO/MNH/NOC/ ΛAC/KA/[P]IC, crowned facing figure of Theodore I, wearing chlamys, holding labarum and patriarchal globus cruciger. DOCBS 6 101.1; BLS I 116. Earthen patina, channel broken, minor marks, area of adhesive repair. VF. Extremely rare. One of the best preserved and most complete of the known specimens.

From the Phi Collection of Byzantine Seals. Ex Leu Web 26 (8 July 2023), lot 5937.

Theodore I rose to prominence amidst the most turbulent time in Byzantine history. A member of the Byzantine nobility, Theodore was imprisoned during the siege of Constantinople by the armies of the Fourth Crusade. However, he managed to escape captivity and began a fierce resistance against the occupying Latin forces. Eventually, Theodore manage to secure a base of power in central Asia Minor in Anatolia, capturing most of its fortresses and establishing his capital in Nicaea. Theodore set up the Byzantine state in exile of the Empire of Nicaea as the Latin rulers occupied the ancient capital of Constantinople. The groundwork that Theodore laid during his successful rule enabled his successors in Nicaea to eventually prevail over the Latin forces. From Nicaea, they retook Constantinople and Thessalonica, and successfully reestablished the Byzantine State which would go to endure for another 200 years. This extremely rare seal offers a rare opportunity to acquire an imperial seal from the founding ruler of the Empire of Nicaea.

Closing Date and Time: 26 September 2024 at 11:35:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.