Ancient Byzantine Lead Seal of Nikephoros (Imperial Official of the Byzantine Empire)

8th-Century Nikephoros Hypatos Lead Seal — Byzantine Bureaucratic Authentication

Lead seal (1.25" diameter) of consul Nikephoros — invokes Virgin Mary protection for official documents.

Religious Official Design

• Obverse: Cruciform monogram — "Mother of God help your servant"

• Reverse: ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΩ ΥΠΑΤΩ ("Nikephoros Consul")

Technical Specifications

• Material: Lead

• Size: 1.25 inches diameter

• Period: 8th century AD (Middle Byzantine)

• Preservation: Exceptionally sharp/clear

• Language: Greek

Administrative Mastery

• Authenticated imperial documents/correspondence

• Reveals hypatos (consul) rank hierarchy

• Orthodox Christianity embedded in bureaucracy

• Amid Arab threats reorganizing provinces

Collector Masterpiece

Exceptional lead seal unveiling named 8th-century Byzantine official. Bureaucratic time capsule.