Metodi Manov Et Al - Byzantine Coins & A Lead Seal of Justinian I Found in The Fortress at The Vratsata Pass

НуМИЗМАТИКА, СфРАГИСТИКА И ЕПИГРАфИКА 16 (2020)
Таблo LXXVI-LXXIX
BYZANTINE COINS AND A LEAD SEAL

OF JUSTINIAN I FOUND
IN THE FORTRESS AT THE VRATSATA
PASS NEAR THE TOWN OF VRATSA,
NORTHWEST BULGARIA
Metodi MANOV, Pantelis CHARALAMPAKIS, Yoana NANKOVA
The purpose of this paper is to present numismatic and sigillographic

finds from the archaeological excavations conducted in the past few years
in the fortress at the Vratsata Pass, next to the modern town of Vratsa in
Northwest Bulgaria. The specimens of coins listed here date back from
the end of the 5th until nearly the end of the 6th century AD; and a lead seal
of the emperor Justinian I was also found at the same site. All these offer a
valuable insight to the significance of the fortress in the Late Antique and
the Early Byzantine periods1.
Introduction to the historical background of the archaeological site

Scholars have been suggesting for a long time that the fortress located in
the area “Gradishte”, 1.5 km southwest of the town of Vratsa in Northwest
Bulgaria was probably the citadel of the medieval town of Vratitsa – on the
site of today’s town of Vratsa (Петров 1976, 72-92; Иванов 1988, 63). The
archaeological site is located north of the road to the village of Zgorigrad,
on the left bank of the river Leva, which forms a narrow gorge in the rock
massif, known today as the Vratsata Pass. The site in the “Gradishte” area is
of particular importance not only for the history of the town of Vratsa, but
also for the medieval history of Bulgaria. In 1941, a stone inscription was
found among the remains of a church in this area, testifying that a royal
monastery had been built in the fortress near Vratsata during the reign
1 We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the head of the archaeological excavations
in the fortress at the Vratsata Pass – our colleague Narcis Torbov, for the opportunity to
publish the numismatic and sigillographic material from the site and for his generosity to
provide us with some very important coins, found in the season of 2020, to be also included in
the article. Also, we owe many thanks to Krassimir Georgiev – photographer at NIAM-BAS,
and to Miroslava Dotkova – keeper of the Coin fund of NIAM-BAS, for providing the photos
of the two lead seals of Justinian I, kept in the fund of NIAM-BAS – Sofia.
210 Metodi MANoV, PANtelis CHARAlAMPAKis, YoANA NANKoVA
of Tsar Asen I (1187-1196) (Георгиева, Бучински 1959, 345; Иванова

1946, 135-145). During the reign of the Bulgarian Tsar Michael II Asen,
the monastery received a royal donation (Иванова 1946, 135-145). In the
years following 1941, abundant information was collected from individual
accidental finds, testifying to the existence of settlement life in the area
for quite a long period – from the Late Iron Age to the end of the Middle
Ages – from 5th/4th century BC to the 14th century (Георгиева, Бучински
1959, 345; Antonov 2005, 21-23 with cat. n. 3 there; Torbov 2008, 57; 65,
fig 15a-b; Торбов, Теодосиев 2008, 560-562). Until 2007, archaeologi-
cal excavations had been carried out in the area for only one month in
1985, but during these excavations a bronze coin of the Byzantine emperor
Justinian I was discovered, a large denomination follis of 40 nummi (M),
minted in the capital of the Byzantine Empire – Constantinople, in the 3rd
officina (Γ), in the 18th year of the reign of this emperor, i.e. in 544/545 AD
(Иванов 1988, 68 and fig. 8в there).
In the years from 2007 to 2020, with some interruptions, in the
area “Gradishte” near the pass Vratsata were conducted archaeological
excavations led by Narcis Torbov from the Regional History Museum –
Vratsa and various members of his team, as a result of which a part of
the ancient settlement, as well as the late antique and medieval fortress
in this place were discovered. All results of the excavations are presented
by the research team in preliminary reports for each year, published
in the annual edition of NIAM-BAS – “Archaeological Discoveries and
Excavations” – from 2008 to 2020 (see especially: Торбов, Теодосиев
2008, 561-563; Торбов, Теодосиев 2010, 531-532; Торбов, Петрова
2011, 292-293; Торбов, Петрова 2012, 440-442; Торбов, Петрова
2014, 327-330; Торбов, Христова-Пенкова 2019, 400-401). According
to the head of the excavations, the original purpose of the fortress was
most likely to guard the road to the copper mines located in the Vratsa
Balkans (Торбов, Петрова 2011, 292). Generally, this view about the
significant role of the fortress at the Vratsata Pass as guarding post to
the important copper and polymetallic mines in the area was previously
shared by other authors who believed that the fortress was also guard-
ing the direct road to the Iskar river and then to the important city of
Serdica (Петров 1976, 74).
So far, the central part of the fortress, which has an irregular shape,
has been investigated. It has been established that the natural rock
massif serves to protect the fortress on the northern side, with which the
western and eastern walls of the defense system are directly connected.
Parts of the western wall, which follows the natural rock ridge, have been
discovered. It is further fortified by a square defensive tower, designated
by researchers as Tower 1. The east wall has been completely unearthed.
The west wall is fortified with a defensive tower – Tower 2, which is of tri-
angular shape. The two walls of the fortification are connected from the
BYZANtiNe CoiNs ANd A leAd seAl oF JUstiNiAN i... 211
south by a room of trapezoidal plan. Most likely, it was used for barracks
which housed the garrison (Торбов, Теодосиев 2008, 561).
During the excavations in the period 2007-2013, part of the second
fortress wall was discovered, located south of the central fortification and
parallel to the road and the river. The method of construction is similar
to that of the first fortification – it was built of cut stones bound in mortar.
In 2007 a medieval building was investigated and identified as Church 1,
which was partially excavated back in 1942 (Георгиева, Бучински 1959,
345; Торбов, Теодосиев 2008, 560). Adjacent to it is a small cave in which
the fragmented stone inscription was discovered in 1941, mentioning for
the first time the medieval name of the town of Vratsa – Vratitsa (Иванова
1946, 135-145; 138).
During the archaeological excavations in the period 2010-2014, a
second church was investigated – Church 2, which is of significant size
– 18 m long. The finds discovered inside and around it – gold jewelry,
coins and other objects, testify that the temple was built in the 6th century
AD. Excavations have shown that probably towards the end of the reign
of Emperor Justinian I (527-565) it was destroyed by an earthquake and
was not rebuilt, probably due to the settlement of the Slavs on the Balkan
Peninsula in the same century. During the Middle Ages, other buildings
were erected onto it, some of which collapsed during the Ottoman rule,
probably due to erosion on the mountain slope (Торбов, Петрова 2014,
327-330).
In 2011, rescue excavations were carried out at the third Christian
church – Church 3, dating to the 12th – 14th century. It was abandoned af-
ter the establishment of the Ottoman rule in the town of Vratsa (Торбов,
Петрова 2012).
During the archeological excavations of the team led by Narcis Torbov
in the years between 2007 and 2013, the chronology of the existence of
the ancient settlement and the late antique and medieval fortress was
established (Торбов, Теодосиев 2008, 561-563; Торбов, Теодосиев
2010, 531; Торбов, Петрова 2011, 292-293). In general, this chronology
is divided into the following periods:
The first functional period of the archeological site covers a wide
range of the 4th – 1st century BC. The reasons for dating this period are
the discovered materials in a cultural layer, testifying that in this place
in antiquity there was a small Thracian settlement. Bronze fibulae were
found, as well as a silver handle from a vessel similar to those from the
Rogozen treasure and from the tombs of the Mogilanska mound in Vratsa
(Торбов, Теодосиев 2008, 561). In 2010, during the archaeological exca-
vations, a bronze coin was found at the site, struck in the city of Maroneia
on the Aegean coast, which dates from the period 398/7-348/7 BC, and a
Roman republican denarius, minted in 112/111 BC, was also discovered
(Торбов, Петрова 2011, 292).
In the course of archaeological excavations it has been established that

despite certain interruptions, the settlement continued to exist during the
Roman imperial period, which is defined by N. Torbov as the second period.
This second phase dates from the end of the 1st to the 4th century AD, and
from that period have been discovered the walls of ancient buildings made
of mortared stone and bricks, as well as several Roman fibulae and gold jew-
elry (Торбов, Петрова 2011, 292-293). In addition, archaeologists found
coins struck by the emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty – Augustus
(27 BC-14 AD), Tiberius (14-37 AD), Caligula (37-41 AD) and Claudius
(41-54 AD), and many other coins of Roman emperors and members of
the imperial families who ruled in later times – Septimius Severus (193-
211), Julia Domna (211-217), Gordian III (238-244), Claudius II (268-270),
Numerianus (283-284), Constantine I the Great (307-337), Constantius II
(337-361), Valens (364-378), Theodosius I (379-395) (Торбов, Теодосиев
2008, 561; Торбов, Теодосиев 2010, 531; Торбов, Петрова 2011, 293).
In fact, in the same area, back in the end of the 19th century – in 1898, an
obverse coin die for striking denarii of the Roman emperor Augustus was
found, which is now kept in NIAM-BAS (Машов 1976, 63 and 64 – the fig.
there; Божкова 1984, 15; 16, figs. 1-2; see also Paunov 2014, 29-30, with
figs. 1a-b and 2a-b with the discussion in note 7 there).
The archaeological team, led by N. Torbov, has established that dur-
ing the early Byzantine period the settlement life on the same place was
restored and this is practically the third period, covering the 5th and 6th
centuries AD. During this period a new church of considerable size was
built. At the same time began also the construction of the fortification
system, as evidenced by the western and southern walls of the large room,
which was most likely the barracks of the fortification. Archaeological
excavations have uncovered various coins from the period – a tremissis-
fourrée (subaeratus) of the emperor Zeno I (474-491), as well as a number
of bronze coins of the emperors Anastasius I (491-518), Justin I (518-527),
Justinian I (527-565) and Justin II (565-578). In April 2009, in the course
of excavations, a lead seal of the emperor Justinian I (527-565) was discov-
ered (Торбов, Теодосиев 2010, 531). Not far from the lead seal, on the
same day, two poorly preserved bronze coins of 40 nummi denomination
(follis) were found, which are difficult to identify, but are most likely coins
of Justinian I. As this is the main period during which the fortification
system was rebuilt at this site and is in fact the period of its best develop-
ment, which is evidenced by the largest number of archaeological finds,
below will be presented a catalogue of those coins discovered throughout
the various archaeological seasons, as well as more detailed comments on
the lead seal of Justinian I.
The fourth period of development and use of the fortress, according
to N. Torbov, dates back to the 12th – 14th century. Research has shown
that the last and final construction of the fortress was carried out in the
Middle Ages, as evidenced by the discovered bronze coins and pottery

from this period. In this period the fortress had finally been built up
within the outlines fixed during the archaeological research. N. Torbov’s
team suggests that during this period the fortress grew into a medieval
town, which began to expand in an eastward direction to reach, in the
following centuries, the modern town of Vratsa (Торбов, Петрова 2011,
293). Of course, we should not ignore the previous hypotheses of other
scholars who believe that the medieval town of Vratsa was on the site of
today’s Vratsa, and the fortress at the Vratsata Pass was rather the cita-
del that guarded the narrow gorge of the Leva River, guarding also the
access to the valley along the upper course of the river in the direction
of Zgorigrad, where the inhabitants of the settlement on the site of the
present-day town of Vratsa were provided with refuge during wars and
dangers from invaders (see Иванов 1988).
Some scholars in the recent past believed that, most probably, the
fortress at the Vratsata Pass, as well as the settlement on the site of today’s
town of Vratsa was named Βαλβαί (in Latin – Valvae) during the time of
Justinian I – in the 6th century AD (Beševliev 1970, 96 with ref.; Петров
1976, 72; 75 with cited lit.; Миков 1968, 32; Wendel 2005, 146). The
name Βαλβαί, which, if translated from the Latin form Valvae, means
“gates”, was mentioned by Procopius of Caesarea (Procop. De aedif. IV.
4, s.v. Βαλβαί) among the fortresses restored by the Byzantine emperor
Justinian I (527-565) in the 6th century AD (Миков 1968, 32-33, however,
identified Balbai with Lyutibrod, just to the south of Vratsa). Other authors
have suggested that the name of the same fortress and the settlement
was possibly Vratzista, also mentioned by Procopius (Procop. De aedif.
IV. 4, s.v. Βρατζίστα), but this view was rejected already by K. Jireček
and V. Beševliev (Beševliev 1970, 106 with ref.). The main and significant
problem regarding these two different possible identifications of the name
of this fortress and settlement near the present town of Vratsa is that in the
recent past several publications have appeared that give a rather different
localization of the region Kavetzos (Καβετζός) mentioned by Procopius,
where he placed the fortress of Balbai (Valvae – ?). V. Beševliev and other
authors have traditionally localized the region Kavetzos to the north of
Serdica and to the north of the Balkan Mountains (Beševliev 1970, 66-
67; 96 with ref.). But recently a new location of the region Kavetzos was
proposed with much more argumentation, following the logic and the
context of the other well-known areas listed, in which Procopius mentioned
other settlements – it should be sought south of the Balkan Mountains and
even southwest of Serdica (Спиридонов 1982, 118-120 with ref.). A new,
more plausible location of the Kavetzos region in the lands around today’s
Konyavska Mountain – between the territories of the ancient settlements
of Serdica (Sofia), Pautalia (Kyustendil) and Germaneia (Sapareva
Banya), has been proposed, and it is already considered that the region of
Kavetzos covered the lands generally to the south of the modern town of
Radomir and the lands between Kyustendil and Dupnitsa (Спиридонов
1982, 118-120 with ref.; Митрев 2017, 97-98 with ref.; 99, fig. 1; Митрев
2018, 79-80 with fig. 1 and ref.; on the problems related to the approach
and interpretation of Procopius’ Buildings and modern archaeological
research: Sarantis 2016, 161-198). But the real location of this enigmatic
region probably will remain still debatable.
Having this in mind, it appears that we still cannot say what exactly
was the name of the fortress and settlement near Vratsa in the time of
Justinian I (527-565) and this task will remain for future researchers of
the problem. The only certain name of the fortress and the settlement
on the site of today’s Vratsa, which we have, is the medieval Bulgarian
name Vratitsa, attested in the inscription found right in the fortress at the
Vratsata Pass (see Иванова 1946, 135-145).
Here, in a detailed catalogue, the Byzantine coins discovered during
the archaeological excavations from 2007 to 2020 will be presented first,
followed by the lead seal of Justinian I, found in 2009. The coins in the
catalogue are listed in chronological order, and the year of their discovery
is indicated in brackets. Only the coins dating precisely from the 5th and
6th centuries AD, which are preserved in good enough condition to be
identified, are presented here.
CATALOGUE OF THE COINS

from the 5th – 6th c. AD,
found at the archaeological site “Gradishte – Vratsata”
Abbreviations in brackets: FIN = Field Inventory Number for the respective year.
1. Tremissis-fourrée of the emperor Zeno I (474-491).

D. 14,8 mm, weight: 0,87 g (found in 2013/FIN 15).
Obv. DN ZENO PERP AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM. Victoria walking right, head left, holding wreath
and cross on globe, star in right field. Mintmark CONOB.
(Traces of double striking on the reverse. Barbarized issue.) (RIC 914). (Plate
LXXVIII. 1).
2. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Anastasius I (491-518).

D. 35 mm, weight: 14,34 g (found in 2012 in the Church 2/FIN 10).
Obv. DN ANASTASIVS PP AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev. Large M between two stars, cross above, officina letter Γ (officina 3) below,
mintmark CON. Struck in the mint of Constantinople in the period 498-518.
Third period, large follis (DOC 23d; MIB 271). (Plate LXXVIII. 2).
3. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Justin I (518-527).

D. 33 mm, weight: 13,82 g (found in 2011/FIN 9).
Obv. DN IVSTINVS PP AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev. Large M between two stars, cross above, officina letter Є (officina 5) below,
mintmark CON. Struck in the mint of Constantinople (DOC 8e; MIB 114). (Plate
LXXVIII. 3).
4. Pentanummium of the emperor Justin I (518-527).

Obv. DN IVSTINVS PP AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev. Large Є, in front of which vertically the mintmark CON, in front of O – letter
Γ (officina 3). Struck in the mint of Constantinople (DOC, 20a-20c [officina Γ –
missing]; ΜΙΒ Ι, p. 104, nos. 27-28 with ref.). (Plate LXXVIII. 4).
5. Pentanummium of the emperor Justin I (518-527).

Obv. DN IVSTINVS PP AVG (not well legible). Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed
bust right.
Rev. Large Є, to right – vertically the letters N over A over A (officina 1). Struck in the
mint of Antioch (DOC 56; MIB 66). (Plate LXXVIII. 5).
6. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Justinian I (527-565).

Obv. DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev. Large M between star and cross, cross above, officina letter A (officina 1) below,
mintmark CON. Struck in the mint of Constantinople between 527 and 538 AD.
(DOC 28a; MIB 851 – variant). (Plate LXXVIII. 6).

Obv. DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG (illegible). Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust
right. (Corroded on the obverse).
Rev. Large M between star and cross, cross above, officina letter A (officina 1) below,
mintmark CON. Struck in the mint of Constantinople between 527 and 538 AD
(DOC 28a; MIB 851 – variant). (Plate LXXVIII. 7).

D. 32 x 34 mm, weight: 19,32 g (found in 2007 in Tower 1/FIN 198).
Obv. DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG. Helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, holding cross on
globe and shield; cross to right.
Rev. Large M, ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year XXXI to right, officina letter Γ
(officina 3) below, mintmark THUP. Struck in the mint of Antioch/Theupolis in
557/558 AD (DOC 227b; MIB 147). (Plate LXXVIII. 8).

Rev. Large M, ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year not clearly discernable – either
XX I (?) (21), or XXXI (31) to right, officina letter A (officina 1) below, mintmark
NIKO. Struck in the mint of Nicomedia either in 547/548 AD (?), or in 557/558 AD
(?). (DOC 128a; MIB 113a2 – ?). (Plate LXXVIII. 9).
10. Half follis 20 nummi of the emperor Justinian I of (527–565).

Rev. Large K, ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year XXX VII (37) in two lines to
right, mintmark TЄS. Struck in the mint of Thessalonica in 563/564 AD. (DOC
105.3; MIB 180). (Plate LXXVIII. 10).
11. Half follis of 20 nummi of the emperor Justinian I (527-565).


Rev. Large K, ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year not well visible – either VII
II (9), or X II II (14), or X V II (17) in three (?) lines to right, mintmark Y onto
Z. Struck in the mint of Cyzicus either in 535/536 (?), or in 540/541 AD (?), or in
543/544 (?). (DOC 182.2-186 (?); MIB 121b, variant – ?). (Plate LXXVIII. 11).
12. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Justin II (565-578).

D. 30 mm, weight: 13,00 g (found in 2020/ FIN 20).
Obv. DN IVSTINVS PP AVG (not well legible).
Justin left and Sophia right, seated facing on double-throne, both nimbate, Justin
holding cross on globe, Sophia holding sceptre topped by cross.
Rev. Large M, ANNO to left, cross above, officina letter Β (officina 2) below,
regnal year ƴ I II (9) in two lines to right, mintmark NIKO. Struck in the mint
of Nicomedia in 573/574 AD. (DOC 99c; MIB 46a1-46b – the same officina, but
regnal year V). (Plate LXXVIII. 12).
13. Half follis of 20 nummi of the emperor Justin II (565-578).

D. 24,5 mm, weight: 6,20 g (found in 2018/ FIN 6).
Rev. Large K, ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year Є (5) to right, mintmark TЄS.
Struck in the mint of Thessalonica in 569/570 AD (DOC 66.1; MIB 70). (Plate
LXXIX. 13).

Obv. DN IVSTINVS PP AVG (not well legible). Justin left and Sophia right, seated
facing on double-throne, both nimbate, Justin holding cross on globe, Sophia
holding sceptre topped by cross.
LXXIX. 14).

LXXIX. 15).

D. 22,3 mm, weight: 5,00 g (found in 2015/ FIN 12).
Rev. Large K, ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year Є (5) to right, mintmark TЄS. Struck
in the mint of Thessalonica in 569/570 AD (DOC 66.1; MIB 70). (Plate LXXIX. 16).

Rev. Large K, ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year Є (5) to right, mintmark TЄS. Struck
in the mint of Thessalonica in 569/570 AD (DOC 66.1; MIB 70). (Plate LXXIX. 17).

Rev. Large K, ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year ƴ (6) to right, mintmark NI.
Struck in the mint of Nicomedia in 570/571 AD (DOC 108.1; MIB 47a-b, but
different regnal years). (Plate LXXIX. 18).
The 18 coins from the fortress “Gradishte” at the Vratsata Pass, pre-
sented with illustrations here, demonstrate the continuous habitation
and probable deployment of a military garrison in this fortress from the
end of the 5th century AD, as evidenced by the tremissis-fourrée of the
emperor Zeno (474-491), almost until the very end of the 6th century AD.
This conclusion is based on the fact that so far among the coins discov-
ered during archaeological excavations, including the season of this year
– 2020, the latest is a bronze Byzantine coin – a well-dated follis (M – 40
nummi) of the emperor Justin II (565-578), struck in 573/574 BC in the
mint of Nicomedia – here catalogue № 12.
A SEAL OF EMPEROR JUSTINIAN I (527-565)

found at the archaeological site “Gradishte – Vratsata”
Findspot and context
The seal was discovered in April 2009, at the eastern part of the
fortress, by the lower, second defensive wall (to the east of Tower 2 of
the main defensive structure) and next to the small Church No. 3 (see
the map 3 in Plate LXXVII). On the same day, two coins of 40 nummi
were found close to the seal; although in very poor condition, these coins
most probably also date from Justinian I’s era (see above). During the first
round of excavations at this site, back in 1985, local archaeologist Plamen
Ivanov discovered nearby a bronze 40 nummi coin of Justinian I, struck
in Constantinople in his eighteenth year of reign, that is in 544/545 AD
(Иванов 1988, 68 and fig. 8в).
Description
Obverse
Justinian I (bust), nimbate, wearing a crown with pendilia and a trefoil ornament,
as well as a chlamys with a fibula on the right shoulder. Around the emperor, the
circular inscription: DNIVSTINI-ẠṆṾ......
D(ominvs) n(oster) Ivstini-anv[s p(er)p(etuus) aug(ustus)]
The field is marked with a circular border of dots.
Reverse
Winged Victoria, with head slightly turned to the right, wearing a long chiton and
advancing to the front. She is holding a wreath in each hand. On some similar
seals, both wreaths have two descending ribbons, but due to corrosion it is not
clear whether they existed or not on this specimen. Victoria is flanked on either
side by a cross. Due to the small disc, the figure’s feet are not visible, neither we
know whether Victoria was standing on a globe. (Plate LXXIX. 19).
Justinianic seals are easily recognizable, despite the similarities with
issues of other early emperors. The iconographic type described above,
showing Nike / Victoria on the reverse, is the most common to encounter
as it has been preserved in numerous specimens kept in various collections
or sold through auctions.
The representation of Nike / Victoria on Roman and Byzantine coins
has a long-standing tradition, which lasted until the time of Heraclius,
with only a few exceptions, when the emperors or a particular mint gave
preference to other motifs (cross, angel). The type of Nike / Victoria holding
a wreath in each hand first appeared on coins of Constantine I (307-337).
The two wreaths probably symbolized the two victories of Constantine,
especially in sea-battles, or they could be related to the institution of co-
emperors. Imperial and non-imperial (private) lead seals bearing the
figure of Nike / Victoria first appeared – and were occasionally used – at
the time of Arcadius and Honorius, or of Theodosius II, but the motif
was established during the reign of Zeno (474-491). The last emperor to
use Nike / Victoria on his seals was Justin II (565-578) (Stepanova 2010,
15-24).
On seals, Nike / Victoria is always holding two wreaths, with only three
exceptions spotted so far (Stepanova 2010, 18 note 10). Moreover, it is
important to note that, unlike on coins, the figure – and in most cases
the obverse with the emperor’s portrait as well – is not accompanied by
Christian symbols. Justinian I was the first emperor to use crosses depicted
on either side of the goddess, a proof that Christianity was strengthening
its positions in the Empire. Non-imperial (private) seals presenting Nike /
Victoria also appear for the first time in the second half of the 6th c. and
lasted until the late 7th – early 8th century AD. For private individuals, the
figure of Nike / Victoria had the role of the personification of triumph
over death (Stepanova 2010, 21-23).
The seals of Justinian I, depicting the emperor, the Mother of God,
Nike / Victoria, or simply monograms, have been studied and described
several times in modern scholarly literature (on the lead seals of Justinian
I in general, see Соколова 2007, 25; DOS, 1-4, 7-13; Стойков 2011, 202-
203). In most cases, however, corrosion and damages either on the obverse
or the reverse do not allow for a precise identification of the boulloterion.
So far, among the hundreds of Justinianic seals discovered, the closest
specimens to the one published in this paper are:
- Hermitage M-11144: findspot unknown; formerly part of N. P.
Likhachev’s private collection, the specimen was transferred from IKDP
to the Hermitage in 1938 (Соколова 2007, 22, № 7; Лихачёв 1911, 506,

fig. 21 – ascribed to Justin II; see here, Plate LXXIX. 20).
- Hermitage M-7984: Likhachev noted that it was found in Istanbul
(Соколова 2007, 22-23, № 8; Лихачёв 1991, № LXXV.12; see here, Plate
LXXIX. 21).
- Istanbul Archaeological Museum 657-333: this piece was donat-
ed to the Museum by the former Russian Archaeological Institute in
Constantinople (IRAIK) in 1961 (Cheynet, Gökyıldırım, Bulgurlu 2012,
№ 1.4; see here, Plate LXXIX. 22); its findspot could have been the city of
Istanbul and its environs, or even Thrace in general (but not necessarily),
because we know that the members of IRAIK were active in these areas.
Despite the fact that excessive damage does not allow to determinate
whether any of these was issued by the same boulloterion – at first sight
they seem to have some minor differences, but one must take into account
that the images are distorted because of the corrosion and attrition – the
similarities point, at least, to boulloteria that were very close to each other.
Imperial seals discovered in Bulgaria

Archaeological excavations, but also stray finds, have revealed an in-
credibly large amount of Byzantine seals within the territory of mod-
ern Bulgaria. Among these, many were issued by the emperors in
Constantinople and it is this correspondence or simply the orders coming
from the central authority that confirm the importance of the Eastern
Balkan lands for the Empire, especially in times of trouble and tensions
around the Danube border (about the findspot of Byzantine imperial
seals in modern Bulgaria, see Андонов 2019, 30-47; seals of Justinian I:
table 1, № 3; Жекова 2019, 105-117).
Several dozens of Justinianic seals have been found in Bulgaria. The
provenance of 36 is more or less known and for 19 (or 20) among these,
we know the findspot: 9 came from excavations in Sofia (Serdica),2 while
the others were discovered in small or large fortresses and cities, espe-
cially in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country (not all of them,
though, came from excavations) (Андонов 2019, table 1, № 3). Most of the
Justinianic seals in Bulgaria – by far – are kept today in the collection of the
Regional Historical Museum of Shumen (18 specimens), as well as in the
National Archaeological Institute with Museum in Sofia (5 specimens) (two
of the seals from NIAM-BAS: 304 and 306, here Plate LXXIX. 23-24; see
Йорданов 2012, № 2 and 4). It is important to note that at least 18 among
the recorded specimens are kept in private collections within the country.
The letters to which these seals were attached were sent not only to
major centres (cities or fortresses), but also to minor ones, like the one in
2
The seals of Justinian I from Serdica will be published by Prof. D. Aladzhova.
Vratitsa, that might have not been large and equipped with numerous
soldiers, but were equally important in terms of their strategic location.
Keeping this in mind, one may wonder to whom these letters were
addressed. Were they related to building activity only, or they contained
military instructions as well? No matter the content of the letters, logi-
cally, the addressee should have been the major governor of the area, i.e.
the magister militum per Illyricum, or, perhaps, the local generals (strat-
egoi). Then, the local authorities would forward the instructions to the
minor forts and posts, by using a different seal (that of the local governor).
However, as we know, the magistri were occupied at war in the Danube
area, sometimes even beyond the river – border, and they were fighting
in person (see, for example, the cases of Mundus, magister militum per
Illyricum and Chilbudius, magister militum per Thracias, both in the
530s). In this respect, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for
a magister to take decisions about the minor forts in the Balkans, while
himself being engaged in the battlefield. Most probably the same applies
to the lesser strategoi. Perhaps, this is the reason why the central authori-
ties in the capital were writing directly to the garrisons of the fortresses.
Another, equally plausible, explanation is that the letters – at least on
some occasions – were not addressed directly to the fortresses, but to the
officers who would take charge of the garrisons in these fortresses, re-
placing the previous ones. The bearer of the letter with the imperial seal
was authorized to command the garrison and do whatever was necessary
for the defense of the fortress and the area it was protecting. Be that as
it may, the large amount of Justinianic seals discovered in Bulgaria and
the neighbouring countries and in particular the find from the fortress in
Vratsata Pass might be a sign of direct involvement of the central authori-
ties in the Balkan provinces (both Illyricum and Thrace), regardless of
the site’s size and importance (see the map 1 in Plate LXXVI).
Conclusion
Certainly the fortification system next to the Vratsata Pass (see the
maps 2, 3 in Plate LXXVII) was rebuilt and maintained in good condition
during the time of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I (527-565) in order
to protect the settlement on the site of today’s town of Vratsa, as well as
to protect the strategic road passing through Vratsa along the Balkan
Mountains and running northwest through the place of modern Montana
(the ancient Roman Castra Montanensium) to the place of modern Vidin
(the ancient Bononia), as well as to protect the direct roads from Vratsa
to the north – to the Danube River. The fortress at this strategic location
also provided security for the road through the narrow pass Vratsata,
which was a road to the nearby important copper and polymetallic mines.
The numerous Byzantine coins from the 5th and 6th century and the lead
seal of Justinian I, discovered in the fortress at the Vratsata Pass, testify to
the continuous use, as well as to the importance of the site as part of the
Empire’s defensive system in the Balkans.
AbbReVIATIOns:
DOC = Dumbarton Oaks Collection = A. R. Bellinger, Ph. Grierson. Catalogue of

the Byzantine Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection and in the Whittemore
Collection. Volume 1 (Anastasius I to Maurice, 491-602). Dumbarton Oaks,
Washington D.C., 1966 (second impression, 1992).
DOS = Dumbarton Oaks Seals = J. Nesbitt, C. Morrisson. Catalogue of Byzantine
Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art. Volume 6 (Emperors,
Patriarchs of Constantinople, Addenda). Dumbarton Oaks, Washington D.C., 2009.
MIB = Moneta Imperii Byzantini = W. Hahn. Moneta Imperii Byzantini: Band 1.
Von Anastasius I. bis Justinianus I. (491-565). Wien, 1973; Band 2. Von Justinus II
bis Phocas (565-610). Wien, 1975.
RIC = The Roman Imperial Coinage = J. P. C. Kent. The Roman Imperial Coinage,
Volume 10. Eastern Roman Empire: Flavius Arcadius – Zeno (395-491). London:
Spink, 1994.
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ΑΝΤΙΧΑΡΙΣΜΑΤΟΣ ΕΠΙΣΦΡΑΓΙΣΙΣ. Юбилеен сборник в чест на 70-годиш-
нината на проф. д.и.н. Иван Йорданов. Шумен, 2019, 30-47.
Божкова 1984: Б. Божкова. Два печата на Август. – Нумизматика 4, 1984, 15-19.
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Археологическия институт, XXII, 1959, 345-352.
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тут, XL, 2012, 177-187.
Лихачёв 1911: Н. П. Лихачёв. Историческое значение итало-греческой ико-
нописи. Изображения Богоматери в произведениях итало-греческих ико-
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икон. Санкт-Петербург, 1911.
Лихачёв 1991: Моливдовулы греческого Востока (сост. и автор комментариев:
В. С. Шандровская). Москва, 1991.
Машов 1976: С. Машов. Враца до идването на славяните. Римско владичество.
– В: Е. Бужашки (ред.). История на град Враца. София, 1976, 59-71.
Миков 1968: В. Миков. Локализиране на някои изчезнали антични и средно-

вековни селища и крепости в България. – Археология 4, 1984, 28-48.
Митрев 2017: Г. Митрев. Историческите извори за античния град Бине
(Мойхополис)/ The historical sources concerning the ancient town Binai
(Moihopolis) (in Bulgarian, English summary). – В: Х. Попов, Ю. Цветкова (ред.).
ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΟΣ. Сборник в чест на професор Петър Делев. София, 2017, 95-103.
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Петербург, 2007.
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TeXT TO THe ILLUsTRATIOns:
Plate LXXVI. 1. Map of the Balkans (map: Pantelis Charalampakis).

Plate LXXVII. 2. Map of the Vratsa area, with the Vratsata Pass (map: Pantelis
Charalampakis).
Plate LXXVII. 3. Map of the archaeological site “Gradishte – Vratsata” (map: Narcis
Torbov – RHM – Vratsa).
Plate LXXVIII and Plate LXXIX. Coins from the 5th – 6th c. AD, found at the
archaeological site “Gradishte – Vratsata” – the respective number of each image is
indicated inside the catalogue (photos: Narcis Torbov – Regional History Museum
(RHM ) – Vratsa).
Plate LXXIX. 19. Lead seal of Justinian I, found at the archaeological site “Gradishte
– Vratsata” in 2009 (photos: Narcis Torbov – RHM – Vratsa).
Plate LXXIX. 20. Lead seal of Justinian I, of unknown provenance: Hermitage
M-11144 (drawing based on the photo published in Соколова 2007, 22, № 7).
Plate LXXIX. 21. Lead seal of Justinian I, possibly found in Istanbul: Hermitage
M-7984 (drawing based on the photo published in Соколова 2007, 22-23, № 8).
Plate LXXIX. 22. Lead seal of Justinian I, possibly found in Istanbul or Thrace:
Istanbul Archaeological Museum 657-333 (drawing based on the photo published
in Cheynet, Gökyıldırım, Bulgurlu 2012, № 1.4).
Plate LXXIX. 23. A lead seal of Justinian I, found at the fortress next to Krichim,
Plovdiv area: NIAM-BAS – Sofia, 304 (Йорданов 2012, № 2; photos: Krassimir
Georgiev – NIAM-BAS).
Plate LXXIX. 24. A lead seal of Justinian I, found in the area of Haskovo: NIAM-BAS
– Sofia, 306 (Йорданов 2012, № 4; photos: Krassimir Georgiev – NIAM-BAS).
Табло LXXVI
62 63
64 65
66 67
68 69
1. Map of the Balkans

Табло LXXVII
2. Map of the Vratsa area with the Vratsata Pass
3. Map of the archaeological site “Gradishte – Vratsata”

Табло LXXVIII
1
2
4 5
3
6 7
8 9
10 11
12
Табло LXXIX
14
13
15 16
17 18
19 20
21 22
23 24

Metodi Manov Et Al - Byzantine Coins & A Lead Seal of Justinian I Found in The Fortress at The Vratsata Pass

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Metodi Manov Et Al - Byzantine Coins & A Lead Seal of Justinian I Found in The Fortress at The Vratsata Pass

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НуМИЗМАТИКА, СфРАГИСТИКА И ЕПИГРАфИКА 16 (2020)

BYZANTINE COINS AND A LEAD SEAL

The purpose of this paper is to present numismatic and sigillographic

Introduction to the historical background of the archaeological site

of Tsar Asen I (1187-1196) (Георгиева, Бучински 1959, 345; Иванова

In the course of archaeological excavations it has been established that

Middle Ages, as evidenced by the discovered bronze coins and pottery

CATALOGUE OF THE COINS

1. Tremissis-fourrée of the emperor Zeno I (474-491).

2. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Anastasius I (491-518).

3. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Justin I (518-527).

4. Pentanummium of the emperor Justin I (518-527).

5. Pentanummium of the emperor Justin I (518-527).

6. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Justinian I (527-565).

7. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Justinian I (527-565).

8. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Justinian I (527-565).

9. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Justinian I (527-565).

10. Half follis 20 nummi of the emperor Justinian I of (527–565).

11. Half follis of 20 nummi of the emperor Justinian I (527-565).

D. 28 mm, weight: 9,37 g (found in 2020/FIN 6).

12. Follis of 40 nummi of the emperor Justin II (565-578).

13. Half follis of 20 nummi of the emperor Justin II (565-578).

14. Half follis of 20 nummi of the emperor Justin II (565-578).

15. Half follis of 20 nummi of the emperor Justin II (565-578).

16. Half follis of 20 nummi of the emperor Justin II (565-578).

17. Half follis of 20 nummi of the emperor Justin II (565-578).

18. Half follis of 20 nummi of the emperor Justin II (565-578).

A SEAL OF EMPEROR JUSTINIAN I (527-565)

to the Hermitage in 1938 (Соколова 2007, 22, № 7; Лихачёв 1911, 506,

Imperial seals discovered in Bulgaria

DOC = Dumbarton Oaks Collection = A. R. Bellinger, Ph. Grierson. Catalogue of

Андонов 2019: К. Андонов. Византийските императорски печати от България

Миков 1968: В. Миков. Локализиране на някои изчезнали антични и средно-

sarantis 2016: A. Sarantis. Justinian’s Balkan Wars. Campaigning, Diplomacy and

TeXT TO THe ILLUsTRATIOns:

Plate LXXVI. 1. Map of the Balkans (map: Pantelis Charalampakis).

1. Map of the Balkans

2. Map of the Vratsa area with the Vratsata Pass

3. Map of the archaeological site “Gradishte – Vratsata”

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