EXTREMELY RARE & IMPRESSIVE BYZANTINE IMPERIAL LEAD SEAL – EMPEROR NIKEPHOROS III BOTANEIATES (1078–1081 AD) – 45.45 g – 40 mm. Imperial Lead Seal Period: Byzantine Empire / Eastern Roman Empire Emperor: Nikephoros III Botaneiates (1078–1081 AD) Material: Lead Weight: 45.45 g Diameter: 40 mm A large and impressive Byzantine imperial lead seal dating to the reign of Nikephoros III Botaneiates, who ruled the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire from 1078 to 1081 AD. Nikephoros III came to power after the abdication of Michael VII Doukas and entered Constantinople following his victory at Nicaea. His reign was marked by political instability, military challenges, and increasing Turkish raids, before he was eventually overthrown by Alexios I Komnenos in April 1081. The imperial seals of Nikephoros III retain several traditional Byzantine imperial design elements. The emperor is depicted standing, wearing the imperial crown and loros, and holding a labarum and globus cruciger. His family name, Botaneiates, is also incorporated into the inscription. An important feature of his seals is the use of the title Despotes (Δεσπότης, “Lord”), a title that had not appeared on imperial seals since the reign of Michael III. From this period onward, Despotes became a prominent title on Byzantine imperial seals. The large diameter and substantial weight of this example make it a particularly impressive specimen of Byzantine lead sealing. Classification: Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) Type: Imperial Lead Seal Ruler: Nikephoros III Botaneiates Date: 1078–1081 AD Weight: 45.45 g Diameter: 40 mm Metal: Lead ‏   Acquired in 2025 from Demeter Coins (owned by Falk Zencker) in Germany. Provenance: The piece was formerly part of a private collection in Spain, having been acquired from an art gallery in 1987. This rare piece is accompanied by the original purchase invoice and a certificate of authenticity.