BYZANTINE SEALS, The Ekdikoi of Hagia Sophia. Late Palaeologian - 14th century. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 48 mm, 63.60 g, 12 h). IOY/CTI/N/IA/N/O/N Δ/EC/Π ( = 'Lord Justinian'on the left) H A/ΓIA / CO/ΦIA (= 'The Haghia Sophia' in the field at the center) MHP / ΘV / H / B/OH/ΘI/A (= 'Mother of God, She who Aids us' on the right) On the left, Justinian standing facing, wearing a crown with pendilia, divitision, and loros, holding a cross in his right hand, which he places on his breast, and holding out his left hand, bearing a model of the Haghia Sophia, to the nimbate and draped figure of the Virgin Mary, standing facing on the right, who receives the model from Justinian with both her hands; the church's royal door is open, allowing the cross on the holy table within to be seen. Rev. + TOIC ΘE/OCEBECTATOIC / ΠPECBVTEPOIC / KAI EKKΛHC/EKΔIKOIC (' [This is a seal] for the most venerable presbyters and ekdikoi of the church') in five lines. Geneva 272 = Zacos II 75b (struck from the same boulloterion). Very rare. Nicely centered and quite clear. Some areas of roughness and minor damage, otherwise, good very fine.
