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Banner Artemide LIX
Exciting Simeon The Great's Seal
Lot # 783
Simeon I Veliki (Simeon the Great), Tsar of Bulgaria (893-927). PB Seal. Obv. Facing bust of Christ, holding book of Gospels in left hand, right hand in benediction; cross behind head; border of pellets. Rev. Crowned and jewelled facing female bust. Jordanov Type III.2B; Youroukova 9a/8b (obv./rev.). PB. 18.58 g. 26.50 mm. RRR. Extremely rare. Exceptional lead seal, with enchanting ochre and grey patina. Detailed and perfectly preserved portrait of Simeon I Veliki. EF. Seals of this type have been assigned to the reign of Simeon the Great of Bulgaria. Educated in Constantinople, Simeon was greatly influenced by Byzantine culture. Nonetheless, he was at war with the Byzantine Empire for much of his reign, and in 913 he marched on Constantinople, where he was crowned Tsar (Caesar) of Bulgaria by the Patriarch Nicholas I Mystikos. This seal reveals the influence of Byzantine culture on the court of Simeon. The obverse image of Christ is similar to seals of Byzantine emperors, such as Leon VI and Michael VII, and on the reverse is depicted Simeon himself, as is clearly demonstrated by the presence of the beard (corr. Triton XI (2008), lot 1214 note).