Byzantine Lead Seal (Lead, ) Theodoros Doukas Laskaris, emperor and son of the emperor (1254-1258)

Byzantine Lead Seal (Lead, ) Theodoros Doukas Laskaris, emperor and son of the emperor (1254-1258)
Obv: St. Theodoros Stratelates standing, holding a spear in his right hand and a kite-shaped shield with a cross on it in his left. Sigla in columns on either side: [ὁ ἅγιο]ς [Θε]ό[δ]ωρο[ς] [ὁ] Στρ[α]τηλ[ά]της. No border visible.
Rev: Inscription of six lines: [ἀ]νακτ[όπ]αιδα Δούκαν, [ἀ]θλητά, σκέποις [Θ]εόδωρον [Λ]άσκαριν τὸ[ν β]ασιλέα. No border visible.
Translation: Champion, may you protect Theodoros Doukas Laskaris, emperor and son of the emperor.
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, BZS.1951.31.5.1698; Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 96.
This seal was struck by Theodoros II Laskaris (1254–1258), who succeeded to the throne upon the death of his father John III Doukas Vatatzes, hence the inclusion of the family name Doukas in the inscription. Oikonomides notes the unusual use of the word anaktopais (son of the emperor) by which Theodoros invoked his legitimacy and claim to the throne, as he had not been made co-emperor during his father's lifetime. Oikonomides, Dated Seals, no. 135.

Year: 1254-1258 AD
Diameter: 28 mm
Weight: 17.99 g
Material: Lead