List of red stamps on papyri (Greco-Roman Egypt)

Updated May 2015

Bibliography

• Schubert, P. "L'encre rouge dans les papyrus", in P. Diog. (1990), p. 34-39 (on texts in red ink and on red stamps). • Vandorpe, K. 'Seals in and on the Papyri of Greco-Roman and Byzantine Egypt', in M.-Fr. Boussac & A. Invernizzi (eds.),

Archives et Sceaux du monde hellénistique (Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, Suppl. 29), Paris 1997, p. 231-291and 11 fig.: the overview includes a brief part on red stamps.

• Vandorpe, K. "Un ancêtre de l'estampillage: les cachets encrés sur papyrus (IIe siècle av. J.-C. — IIe siècle apr. J.-C.", in A. Mercier (ed.), Les trois révolutions du livre, Paris 2002, 37-41.

• http://www.trismegistos.org/seals/overview_7.html

Red stamps have the same function as the seals used for 'Untersiegelung': they authenticate documents.

• Petitions of the office of the strategos (Ptolemaic period) — stamp on recto Once arrived at the office of the strategos, the nome governor, some petitions received a red stamp, usually put on the

recto of the papyrus in the upper left corner and sometimes covering part of the text of the petition. The examples

originate from the Hermopolite and the Herakleopolite nomes. • Documents stamped by the grapheion or the bank (Memphis and Arsinoite nome) — stamp(s) on verso

Several Ptolemaic stamps originate from the Greek registration office where demotic contracts were entered in a

register. Registration of demotic contracts was obliged from about 145 BC onwards. The oldest example (132 BC) of a stamped Demotic contract comes from Memphis (registration in the Great Anubieion), the other demotic documents

were stamped in the Fayum (Ptolemaic period) from about 116/115 B.C. onwards.

The remaining red stamps are all found on Greek bank receipts (from 78 BC onwards) and on Greek contracts (from the Roman period onwards) registered by the grapheion.

In the Ptolemaic period stamps are attested for the metropoleis Memphis and Ptolemais Euergetis, in the Roman

period also for several villages of the Fayum.

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List of Red Stamps on papyri

CPR I 11

1Stamp id Pap.Lugd.Bat. XXII 11 (= P. Rein. I 18) +

BL IXPetition

108 BC Hermopolite nome

Red stamp on the recto, in the upper left corner of a petition (partly covering first two lines of the text).�

office strategos, on recto papyrusStamp(s) issued by

2Stamp id BGU XVIII 2731Petition

87/86 BC Herakleopolite nome

Red stamp (diameter of 4 cm) on the recto of a petition, stamped in the upper left corner (partly covering first twolines of the text). The stamp probably has the regnal year (year 31 = 87/86 BC).


3Stamp id BGU VIII 1857 (cf. BGU VIII, p. 4)Petition

64-44 BC Herakleopolite nome

Red stamp on the recto of a petition: rectangular or oval; may have the regnal year.








Red stamp on the recto of a petition: rectangular or oval; may have the regnal year


http://www.trismegistos.org/seals






60 BC Herakleopolite nome








after 57 BC Herakleopolite nome









51 BC Herakleopolite nome




50-49 BC ? Herakleopolite nome













Red stamp on the recto of a petition: rectangular or oval; some have the regnal year.




ca. 47 BC Herakleopolite nome







18Stamp id P. NYU II 39 = SB V 8265Roman will

355 AD Karanis?

Traces of an official stamp on the verso of a Roman will.

grapheion, on verso papyrus?Stamp(s) issued by

19Stamp id PUG I 33 = SB X 10465 �

VI AD Alexandria?

Probably a stamp, not a seal: PUG I 33: 'timbro circolare" in which may be read the letters PIA (ALEXANDRIA?), SB X10465: "kleiner runder Stempel"


20Stamp id P.CtYBR inv.no.1280 (B)?

? ?

Traces of red stamp with two concentric circles.



21Stamp id P. dem. Memphis 5 A-BDemotic deed with Greek registration

132 BC Memphis

Two red circular stamps on the verso of a demotic deed with Greek registration; one badly faded, each with adiameter of c. 2 cm, placed at the very top of the papyrus. There is nothing visible within the circles except for a fewtraces of ink.

grapheion, on verso papyrusStamp(s) issued by

22Stamp id P. Ashm. dem. 3Demotic deed with Greek registration

116/115 BC Hawara (registration in Ptolemais

Three red stamps on verso of a Demotic deed with Greek registration: round stamps; they consist of a rosette with inthe middle the regnal year.


23Stamp id P. Ashm. I 22 = SB XIV 11410contracts

106 BC Hawara

Two red stamps on the verso of contracts (Greek translations of demotic contracts)


24Stamp id P. Hawara dem. 12, with P. dem.

Memphis, p. 112Demotic deed with Greek registration

100 BC Ptolemais Euergetis (grapheion)

Several stamps (of round shape) on the verso (or recto?).


25Stamp id P. Hawara dem. 16aDemotic deed with Greek registration

92 BC Ptolemais Euergetis (place of registration)

Four stamps (of round shape) on the verso of a demotic deed with Greek registration, located beneath the demoticwitness list and next to a Greek docket. In my view, the stamps have in the centre the regnal year (in Greek), inmirror image: Year 22 (= 93/92 BC).



26Stamp id P. Hawara dem. 17aDemotic deed with Greek registration


Four stamps (of round shape) on the verso of a demotic deed with Greek registration, stamped beneath the demoticwitness list and next to a Greek docket. In my view, the stamps have in the centre the regnal year (in Greek): Year22 (= 93/92 BC).


27Stamp id P. Hawara dem. 17bDemotic deed with Greek registration


three stamps on the verso of a demotic deed with Greek registration, stamped above the demotic witness list andnext to a Greek docket.


28Stamp id P. Hawara dem. 21a+bDemotic deed of conveyance and cession withGreek registration


Eleven stamps (having the shape of a parallelogram) on the verso of a Demotic deed of conveyance and cession withGreek registration, stamped beneath the two demotic witness lists. In my view, the stamps have in the centre theregnal year (in Greek): Year 34 (= 84/83 BC).


29Stamp id P. Ashm. dem. 14 + 15Demotic deed with Greek registration

71/72 BC Ptolemais Euergetis (place of registration)

Red stamps on the verso: reproduced several times; the stamps consist of a rosette with in the middle the regnalyear (year 10).


30Stamp id P. dem. Hawara 23Demotic deed of cession with Greekregistration


Stamp (having the shape of a parallelogram) on the verso of a demotic deed with Greek registration, stampedbeneath the demotic witness list. In my view, the stamp has in the centre the regnal year (in Greek): Year 15 (=67/66 BC).



31Stamp id P. Ryl. IV 601Lease contract of cleruchic land

26 BC Ptolemais Euergetis (registration)

Two red stamps on the verso of a lease contract with Greek subscription; registration of the contract in thegrapheion; one stamp is put across the cut edge of the papyrus: "double parallelogram, with lozenge in centrecontaining a figure. Lettering inside the border of parallel lines, only one side of which can be made out. It appearsto read νομάρχου"


32Stamp id P. Dime II 39Demotic contract with Greek registration

11/10 BC Soknopaiu Nesos

The fragmentary red circular stamp on the verso of a demotic contract with Greek subscription; has text in the centreand in the circle surrounding the centre. The text of the stamp is severely damaged. The text in the centre has gra(feion) k (etous).


33Stamp id P. Amst. I 41 (cf. ZPE14 (1974), 162), col.

I-IIILease contract (col. I) + nurse contract (col. II-III)

8 BC Ptolemais Euergetis

Three red stamps on the verso of a lease and/or nurse contract (stamped one on the back of each of the threecolumns): round stamps; Καίσαρος("of Kaisar") legible; diameter stamp of col. I: c. 5 cm, diameter stamps of col.II-III c. 4.5 cm.


34Stamp id P. Duke 7 ined.Loan contract

6 AD Ptolemais Euergetis

Red circular stamp on contract, with in the circle the regnal year of Augustus: Kais is legible ("?year ?35 of Kaisar");the middle part is damaged.


35Stamp id BGU XI 2047Repayment of a loan


Traces of a red stamp on the verso of a repayment of a loan.



36Stamp id P. Lond. II 277, p. 217-218Loan contract with registration by grapheion

23 AD Soknopaiu Nesos

Only copy of a stamp = ἀντίγρ(αφον) χαραγμος = ἔτους θ Τιβερίου Καίσαρος Σεβαστοῦ


37Stamp id P. Bingen 60Parachoresis of catoicic land with threeregistrations

45 AD Soknopaiu Nesos (registration in Ptolemais

One red stamp on the verso of a parachoresis of catoicic land with three registrations: round stamp with two circles;the outer circle has Τιβερίου Κλαυδίου Καίσαρος Σεβαστοῦ; the inner circle continues with ΓερμανικοῦΑὐτοκράτορος.


38Stamp id P. Mich. IX 554Division of inherited property, inter alia catoicicland, with registration

81-94 AD Ptolemais Euergetis

Traces of a circular red stamp on the verso of a division with Greek registration.


39Stamp id CPR I 1 = Stud. Pal. 20 1contract: homologia in grafeion

83/84 AD Fayum

Two red stamps on the verso of a homologia (in grapheion): round stamps; Αὐτοκράτορος ("of Autokrator") andΔομιτιάνου("Domitianus") are legible; below the stamp there is written "I, NN, have marked".


40Stamp id BGU I 183Contract (homologia marriage)

84/85 AD Soknopaiu Nesos

Two red stamps on the verso of a contract (homologia marriage, written by scribe of local grapheion): round stampswith text in spiral, having the regnal year and Αὐτοκράτορος Καίσαρος Δομιτιανοῦ Σεβαστοῦ Γερμανικοῦ("year 4 of Autokrator Kaisar Domitianus Sebastus Germanicus"); below the stamps traces of text.



41Stamp id P. Mich. X 585Loan contract with right of habitation

87 AD Bacchias

Red stamp on the verso: "badly rubbed and damaged. It consisted of two concentric circles, and in the outer circleΔομιτιανοῦ Σεβαστοῦ can still be read. The legend surrounds a central device which is too faint to be legible,although the scanty remnants..."


42Stamp id P. Mich. IX 569Contract concerning repayment of a debt


Traces of a circular red stamp on the verso of a contract concerning repayment of a debt.


43Stamp id CPR I 170Contract

97/117 AD Fayum

Red stamp (partly preserved) on the verso of a contract: round stamps with two circles; the outer circle has theregnal year (now lost) and [ -ca.?- Αὐτ]οκράτορος Καίσαρος Ν[έρουα Τραιανοῦ] ("year -- of Autokrator Kaisar NervaTraianus"); the inner circle continues with [Σεβασ]τοῦ Γερμανικοῦ


44Stamp id BGU XI 2052Contract: sale of catoicic land

IInd cent. AD ?Herakleia

Traces of a red stamp on the verso of a sale contract.


45Stamp id CPR VII 33Marriage contract

IInd cent. AD ?

Red stamp on the verso of a marriage contract



46Stamp id BGU III 856Loan contract

106 AD Fayum: Psenyris

Red stamp on the lower part of the verso of a loan contract


47Stamp id BGU XI 2050Contract; sale of catoicic land

106 AD Fayum

Red stamp on the verso of a sale contract


48Stamp id CPR I 11Contract, division


Red stamp on the verso of a contract (division): round stamp with two circles; the outer circle has the regnal year((ἔτους) ιβ) Αὐτοκράτορος Καίσαρος Νέρουα Τραιανοῦ ("year 12 of Autokrator Kaisar Nerva Traianus"); the innercircle continues with Σεβαστοῦ Γερμανικοῦ Δακικοῦ; beneath the stamp: Μάρω(ν) σεση(μείωμαι).


49Stamp id Stud. Pal. IV, p. 116-117 = P. Fay. 260Loan contract

109-110 AD Aphrodite Bernike (Herakleides meris)

Traces of one or two red stamps on the verso of loan contract.


50Stamp id P. Ryl. II 174Repayment of a loan


Red stamp on the verso of contract (repayment of loan): round stamp with two circles; the outer circle has theregnal year (ἔτους) ιϛ and Αὐτοκράτορ̣ο̣ ς̣ Κ̣α̣ ί̣ σαρος Νέρουα ("year 16 of Autokrator Kaisar Nerva"); the inner circlecontinues with Τραιανοῦ Σε̣ β̣α̣ σ̣τ̣ οῦ̣ Γερμα̣ ν̣ ικοῦ Δ̣α̣ κ̣ι̣ κ̣ο̣ ῦ̣.



51Stamp id P. Laur. III 72Lease contract


Traces of a red stamp on the verso.


52Stamp id CPR VI 1Will


Three red stamps on the verso of a will: round stamps with two circles; the outer circle has the regnal year andΑὐτοκράτορος Καίσαρος Τραιανοῦ ("year 9 of Autokrator Kaisar Traianus"); the inner circle continues with ἉδριανοῦΣεβαστοῦ ("Hadrianus Sebastos")


53Stamp id P. Ryl. II 179Agreement concerning a inheritance withdocket of grapheion of Nilopolis

127 AD Nilopolis

On the verso of an agreement are two impressions in red of a seal measuring 8 cm in diameter (1) outer circle [ -ca.?- ]ος Καίσαρο̣ ς̣ [ -ca.?- ](2) outer circle Α]ὐτοκράτορ̣ος[ (3) inner circle Ἁ̣δ̣ ρ̣ι̣ α̣ ν̣ ο̣ ῦ . In seal-impression (2) there isa circular stop after Ἁ̣δ̣


54Stamp id SB XXII 15472, cf. Festschrift H. Ankum, p.

513-516Sale of house


Red traces on the verso, maybe of a red stamp


55Stamp id BGU XV 2481Sale Contract

138-161 AD Fayum

One red stamp on the verso of a sale contract, circular in form.



56Stamp id P. Ryl. II 155Gift of house property with docket of thegrapheion of Herakleia

138-161 AD Soknopaiu Nesos, Herakleia

Two red stamps on the verso of a gift of house, with docket of the grapheion of Herakleia


57Stamp id P. Vind. Tand. 26Sale contract


Two red stamps on the verso of a sale contract, diameter 6 cm; damaged.


58Stamp id P. Vind. Worp 10Loan contract

143/144 AD Soknopaiu Nesos?

Red stamp on the verso of a loan contract;damaged.


59Stamp id BGU I 87 (for the stamp, see M.Chr. 260)sale contract with docket of the grapheion


Red stamp on the verso of a sale contract, with docket of the grapheion


60Stamp id BGU II 445Repayment of part of a loan

148/149 AD Ptolemais Drumos

Red stamp on the verso of a contract (repayment of loan); damaged.



61Stamp id BGU XI 2043Loan contract

150 AD Soknopaiou Nesos

Red stamp on the verso of a loan contract


62Stamp id BGU III 859Contract

161-163 AD ?

On the verso "verwischter" red stamp (damaged).


63Stamp id PSI VIII 961a-bLease contract



64Stamp id P. Amh. II 102Sale of a camel with registration docket ofgrapheion


Red stamp on the verso of a sale contract, with docket of the grapheion


65Stamp id Pap.Lugd.Bat. XI 12Loan contract


Red stamp on the verso of a loan contract: round stamp with two circles; in the middle: bust of the emperor.



66Stamp id SB VI 9618Sale contract of catoicic land


Red stamp on the verso?


67Stamp id SB III 6293 = P. Freib. II 10Contract


Four red stamps on the verso: they contain inter alia the bust of the emperor.


68Stamp id P. Teb. II 397Homologia: settlement of claims


Two red stamps on the verso of a homologia: "two impressions in red of a seal measuring 9 cm in diameter, withportrait heads of Severus and Caracalla(?) surrounded by the inscription: (ἔτους) ϛ Λ(ουκίου) Σεπ(τιμίου) Σεουή̣ρ̣(ου)Π̣ε̣ ρ̣(τίνακος) Σεβ(αστοῦ) Ἀ̣ρ̣α̣ (βικοῦ) Ἀ̣δ̣ (ιαβηνικοῦ).


69Stamp id P. Hamb. I 15sale contract with registration docket ofgrapheion



70Stamp id P. Hamb. III 220marriage contract with docket of grapheion


Probably red stamp, round, on the verso of a marriage contract



71Stamp id SB XVI 12289 (see ed.pr. AfP 27 (1980), p.

54-57)Contract


Two concentric red stamps on the verso.


72Stamp id BGU I, p. 192

Original stamping object�of white limestone, showing traces of red ink: round stamp with in the circle the regnalyear and Καίσαρος ("year 35 of Kaisar"); in the middle gr(afeion) "record office" .


73Stamp id P. Lond. II 397b, p. 110-111receipt of tax relating to house property

119 AD Fayum; Arsinoites

On the verso of a tax receipt are the words ανημι τῆς μηχανῆς Ἰούσ̣του and part of a red official stamp.

bank, on verso papyrus?Stamp(s) issued by

74Stamp id SB VI 9619Receipt


Traces of red stamps on the verso of a receipt

bank, on verso papyrus?Stamp(s) issued by

75Stamp id Pap.Lugd.Bat. XXV 21Bank receipt for tax on sale

78 BC Ptolemais Euergetis

Red stamp on the verso of a bank receipt: round stamp having the name of the king, Πτολεμαίου, followed by ahook, perhaps a space filler, with in the middle the regnal year: "(year 3 of) Ptolemaios"

bank, on verso papyrusStamp(s) issued by


76Stamp id P. Ashm. dem. 24Bank receipts for tax on sale

71 BC Ptolemais Euergetis (and not Hawara, see

Red stamp on the verso of a bank receipt: round stamp having the name of the king (Ptolemaios) with in the middlethe regnal year.


77Stamp id P. Ashm. dem. 25Bank receipts for tax on sale

71 BC Ptolemais Euergetis (and not Hawara, see

Red stamp on the verso of a bank receipt: round stamp having the name of the king (Ptolemaios) with in the middlethe regnal year.


78Stamp id P. Teb. II 587Bank receipt for taxes on sale

26 BC - 5 AD Ptolemais Euergetis

Red stamp on the verso of a bank receipt, having the shape of a parallelogram.


79Stamp id BGU III 748Bank receipts

62 AD Fayum

Red stamp on the verso of two receipts; below the stamp there is written "I, NN, have marked" (σεσημείομαι).




Part of a circular red stamp on the verso of a bank receipt.



81Stamp id P. Lond. II 297b (p. 110; see also p.

XXVIII)Bank receipt for taxes on sale

119 AD Ptolemais Euergetis?

Part of a red official stamp on the verso of a bank receipt


82Stamp id P. Mich. XI 625, cf. Tapha 57 (1926), p.

XIXBank receipt for taxes on sale


Red stamp on the verso of a bank receipt: round stamp with two circles; the outer circle has the regnal year (ἔτους)ε and Αὐτοκράτορος Καίσαρος Τραιανοῦ ("year 5 of Autokrator Kaisar Traianus"); the inner circle continues withἉδριανοῦ Σεβαστοῦ ("Hadrianus Sebastus").


83Stamp id P. Lips. II 142 (verso)Bank receipt for taxes on sale


Traces of two concentric circles of a red stamp on the verso of a bank receipt.




Traces of a red stamp on the verso of a bank receipt


85Stamp id Petrie, Hawara, Biahmu and Arsinoe p. 29

& 36 no. 13, cf. P. Ryl. IV, p. 85

I cent. BC Hawara

Red stamp on the verso: round stamp with in the circle the name of the king (Πτολεμαίου, "of Ptolemaios") and inthe middle (?) the regnal year (year 30); below the stamp black ink traces.

?Stamp(s) issued by


86Stamp id BGU XI 2095Sale Contract of part of a house


Traces of a red stamp on the verso of a sale contract; the sale is declared to the bibliophylakes of PtolemaisEuergetis.

Stamp(s) issued by

87Stamp id P. Lond. II 298 (p. 206; see also p. XXVIII)Contract or receipt


Red stamp on the verso of contract or receipt: round stamp with two circles; the outer circle has the regnal year(ἔτους) η and Α[ὐ]τοκράτορος Καίσαρος Τραιανοῦ ("year 8 of Autokrator Kaisar Traianus"); the inner circlecontinues with Ἁδριανοῦ Σεβαστοῦ ("Hadrianus Sebastus"); in the middle γρ(αφείου).

Stamp(s) issued by
