Stephanos, Patrikios, and Genikos kommerkiarios of the Apotheke of the
first and second Cappadocia, under Constans II (ca 659-668) Seal (Lead
23,89g 32mm)
Obv: +CTЄΦAN૪ ΠAT/PIKI૪ KAI ΓEN/NIK૪ KOMM/EPKIA, Facing
busts of Constans II, with long beard, on the left, and Constantine IV,
on the right, both wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus
cruciger in their right hands.
Rev: PI૪ AΠOΘHK/HC KAΠΠAΔ/OKIAC A’
K/AI [B]’, Facing busts of Heraclius, on the left, and Tiberius, on the
right, both wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger in
their right hands.
Ref: Zacos/Veglery 142.
An important seal with four imperial portraits.
'Apotheka' was a place where taxes in kind were collected and stored. It served as regional (provincial) center for trade and exchange of foods aswell. "Apothekai" were headed by kommerkiarioi, who were assigned to their position for a fixed period of time (usually one year).Kommerkiarioi were the only officials entitled to use imperial portraits on their seals apart from the emperor himself. Stephanos' is recognized as kommerkiarios in the Apotheka of Abydos, Helenopontos as wel as the First and Second Cappadocia.
