★ A very interesting overstuck large seal ★

A very interesting overstuck large seal of Nicholaos imperial spatharios, in charge of chrysotriklinon and krites
(ca end of 11th cent.)
Condition: Slightly off-center sealing over a proexisting seal with weakness on either side, otherwise Very Fine, with nearly completely legible inscription. Nice dark patina.

Obverse: The bust of saint Nicholaos in prelate's garments, facial, nimbate, blessing by his right, holding the book of Gospels by his left, columnar inscription [Ο Α(ΓΙΟC)/ ΝΙΚ-ΟΛΑΟC]= Ὁ ἅγιος Νικόλαος (Saint Nicholaos), all within dotted border. A large B on right from previous sealing.

Reverse: Inscription in 6 lines, following a cross, all within dotted border: [+] Κ(ΥΡΙ)Ε Β(ΟΗ)Θ(ΕΙ)/[Τ]Ω CΩ ΔΟΥ(ΛΩ)/[ΝΙ]ΚΟΛΑΟ/[Β(ΑCΙΛΙΚΩ) ΠΡΩΤΟ]CΠΑΘΑ(ΑΡΙΩ) Ε[ΠΙ]/[Τ]ΟΥ ΧΡ(ΥCΟ)ΤΡΙ(Κ)ΛΙ[ΝΟΥ]/ΚΑΙ ΚΡΙ[ΤΗ] = Κύριε, βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νικολάῳ, βασιλικῷ πρωτοσπαθαρίῳ, ἐπὶ τοῦ χρυσοτρικλίνου καὶ κριτῇ (Lord, help yοur servant Nicholaos imperial protospatharios, in charge of chrysotriklinon and krites).

"Chrysotriklinos" (golden hall) was a hall in the Great Palace in Constantinoupolis, probably constructed at the end of the 6th cent. (vd. Kazhdan, Alexander, ed. (1991), Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, pp.455-456).

Weight: 11.70 gr
Diameter: 31 mm