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9th c. Byzantine lead Seal of N. (possibly Zacharias) Imperial Spathario and Stratelates (General) of the French (?), measuring 26mm and weighing 11.8 grams. Purchased from a dealer in France.
Obverse: Invocative ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΗΘΕΙ το σο δούλο (Mother of God, help your servant …).
Reverse: Greek legend for N. (possibly Zacharias from the apparent …ΑΧ…) Β(ασιλεος) CΠΑΘ(αριου και) CΤΡΑΤΗ(Λατες = General) ΤΗC (of the) ΦΡΑ(Ν)ΗC (this is the Greek word for the French, a term for the people first used in 842 AD, which would make this an extraordinarily early and historically important piece).
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