216, Lot: 543. Estimate $100. Sold for $525. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BYZANTINE. Stephanos. Apo magistron, logothete, and kommerkiaros of Tyre, circa 550-625. PB Seal (Height: 30mm, 15.75 g). Three facing busts, the two on the left male, that on the right female; central bust nimbate; below, CTEΦAN[OY] ENΔOΞ / AΠO MAΓICTP/ ΘI[OY] ΛOΓOΘET[OY] / SKOMMEP/ T PO V / Blank (imprint of burlap). BLS I - (but see p 214, note 3); Seyrig 143. VF, earthen patina.

Zacos describes the three busts at the top as of Maurice Tiberius, flanked by Theodosius and Constantina. Seyrig, however, describes a bust of Christ flanked by the busts of an emperor and empress, suggesting Justin II and Sophia. As Byzantine emperors were also periodically portrayed as nimbate, the attribution of the figures remains uncertain.