★ A lovely seal of a Byzantine noblewoman ★

Maria, patrikia and strategissa, 10th century. Seal (Lead, 22 mm, 10.27 g). KЄ ROHΘЄI [TH CH ΔOVΛH] ("Lord, help your servant") Eight-rayed star within octagon; eight six-rayed stars at the corners. Rev. +ΘKЄ / ROHΘ, MA/PIA ΠATP/IK S CTPA/TIΓIC' in five lines. Unpublished in the standard references. A rare seal belonging to a Byzantine noble woman with an attractive design on its obverse. Good very fine.

Byzantine noblewomen bore the titles and dignities of their husbands. As we learn from this seal of Maria, she was married to a patrikios who had the military command of a strategos.