★ A highly interesting seal of Aelia Pulcheria (?) ★

Aelia Pulcheria (?), sister of Theodosius II, 414-453. Seal (Lead, 18 mm, 9.77 g). A...-P (retrograde?)V Draped bust of an imperial woman to left, wearing a long braid folded over her head and a large ear ring; above her head, hand of God holding a wreath (?) . Rev. Conical reverse. Apparently unpublished, but cf. Zacos/Veglery 2759 (for a double-sided seal of Licinia Eudoxia) and CNG E-Auction 273 (2012), 572 (possibly an imperial female portrait, but specific attribution uncertain). A highly interesting seal. Good very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

The portrait on this seal may be identified as several imperial women of the 4th and early 5th century. Our identification of the portrait is based on the reading of a retrograde P in the right field.