Description
ITEM | Bread stamp in form of a crescent moon with greek inscription ‘XPHCTE / OINIΛ’ |
MATERIAL | Bronze |
CULTURE | Late Roman / Byzantine |
PERIOD | 4th – 6th Century A.D |
DIMENSIONS | 60 mm x 65 mm |
CONDITION | Good condition |
PROVENANCE | Ex English private collection, acquired in the 1990s |
DESCRIPTION | A bronze bread stamp in form of a crescent moon with a greek inscription. The base has the letters in retrograde relief.It was used to indicate the producer, or to attest to the magistrate responsible for their production. This could be particularly important in cases where bread was being distributed to the people as a political act. |