Byzantine Empire Coin - Jesus Follis

Byzantine Empire
Ca. 900 - 1100 A.D
$73.98
US Buyers: Free Shipping (3-7 Days Total Shipping time)
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Please Note: Our items are original artifacts, therefore they cannot be produced to meet demand. For this reason our items tend to sell out quickly, and this item may not be available in the near future.

History of the Artifact

These gorgeous Byzantine bronze coins are some of the few coins ever minted featuring the portrait of Christ. Genuine pieces of history, they tell the story of a millenary Empire entangled in a heroic struggle for survival against centuries of attempted invasions by the Ottoman empire culminating in the fall of Constantinople in the year 1453. 

When the Roman Empire split in 395 AD, the Eastern Roman Empire  (Byzantine Empire) had to begin minting its own coins separately from Rome. In the early 5th century, it began minting the same Follis the Roman Empire once minted with a new design featuring symbols relevant to the new Byzantine Emperors. The early designs still featured various pagan gods, including the sun god ‘Sol’ among others. With Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, the designs began to feature Christian imagery such as the ‘Chi-Ro’ ( - one of the earliest known Christian symbols. 

By the tenth century, the Byzantine Emperors abandoned the usual practice of putting their own portrait on coins making way instead for a portrait of Christ. The portrait of Jesus began to appear on all Bronze Coins. For roughly three centuries, these bronze coins were struck, all designed to honor Christ and all acknowledging the subservient role of the emperor.

These coins feature a bearded bust of Christ that emerges from a cross-surrounded by a halo. The reverse features the four-line legend "Jesus Christ King of Kings" (IHSUS XRISTUS BASILEU BASILE).

The Byzantine Follis you will receive will be of very similar size and quality as the ones shown in the pictures. A coin similar to the ones pictured is guaranteed or your money back! The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact.

How do I know these are original Byzantine Coins?

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection

  1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
  2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
  3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

What will my artifact look like?

Your Byzantine Empire coin will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact. If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

Your order will include:

  • One authentic Byzantine Empire Coin
  • Elegant protective case for preservation and display of your artifact 
  • Certificate of Authenticity

Ancient Artifacts relics are guaranteed authentic and have a 100% money back policy. Read more about our Mission and Promise for authenticity. 

These gorgeous Byzantine bronze coins are some of the few coins ever minted featuring the portrait of Christ. Genuine pieces of history, they tell the story of a millenary Empire entangled in a heroic struggle for survival against centuries of attempted invasions by the Ottoman empire culminating in the fall of Constantinople in the year 1453. 

When the Roman Empire split in 395 AD, the Eastern Roman Empire  (Byzantine Empire) had to begin minting its own coins separately from Rome. In the early 5th century, it began minting the same Follis the Roman Empire once minted (Available for purchase on our store!) with a new design featuring symbols relevant to the new Byzantine Emperors. The early designs still featured various pagan gods, including the sun god ‘Sol’ among others. With Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, the designs began to feature Christian imagery such as the ‘Chi-Ro’ (☧)  - one of the earliest known Christian symbols. 

By the tenth century, the Byzantine Emperors abandoned the usual practice of putting their own portrait on coins making way instead for a portrait of Christ. The portrait of Jesus began to appear on all Bronze Coins. For roughly three centuries, these bronze coins were struck, all designed to honor Christ and all acknowledging the subservient role of the emperor.

Almost all coins feature a bearded bust of Christ that emerges from a cross-surrounded by a halo. The reverse of these coins displays various designs and legends. The most common reverses are the four-line legend "Jesus Christ King of Kings" (IHSUS XRISTUS BASILEU BASILE) or the two-line legend "May Jesus Christ Conquer".

The Byzantine Follis you will receive will be of very similar size and quality as the ones shown in the pictures. A coin similar to the ones pictured is guaranteed or your money back! The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection

Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  

Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 

Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection

Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  

Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 

Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.


One authentic Byzantine Empire Coin


Elegant protective case for preservation and display of your artifact 


Certificate of Authenticity

Scott

05 Sep, 2022

Excellent item. Thank you

Lillian

31 Aug, 2022

My 1792 French Revolutionary Coin, in it’s individual case, arrived very quickly and well packaged at a great price. I Love It!!

Lillian

31 Aug, 2022

I Loved that I Received my Bronze Coin quickly and very well packaged, it was exactly as Advertised and at a Great Price. Thank You!

gina

29 Aug, 2022

My nephew was overjoyed with this coin. Loved the history. Thank you!

Quintin

28 Aug, 2022

Awesome quality! Arrived quickly as well.

Louise

05 Sep, 2022

Brilliant service and delivery! Lovely case to put coin in and keep it safe. Would definitely recommend this seller!

Melissa

25 Aug, 2022

Like holding history in the palm of your hand. Marvelous.

Melissa

25 Aug, 2022

Absolutely stunning. So much detail. Love it.

Emily

23 Aug, 2022

The quality of the item was great

fran gumabon

14 Aug, 2022

I ordered this coin for my grandson, he loves anything Roman history and was thrilled. I didn’t receive the authentic certificate with it, I contacted the seller and asked if he could send one out to him. He responded right away and is sending it right out. I would recommend to everyone. Very good customer service and arrived early.

Tyler

13 Aug, 2022

They were so helpful and patient with me I couldn’t be more grateful. They gave me such good service and such fast shipping I’m buying another coin when I get paid again!! I’m going to continue buying from these guys, it looks even better in person. It’s everything I was hoping for:) I’m obsessed with it it looks amazing in my collection:)

Sabrina

11 Aug, 2022

Looks great, received it within a week, thank you so much!

Kathleen

04 Aug, 2022

Awesome item- fast shipment- very pleased

Kathleen

04 Aug, 2022

Awesome artifact- very pleased! Will be back

Zachariah

05 Sep, 2022

Zachariah

05 Sep, 2022

Mike

29 Aug, 2022

David

23 Aug, 2022

David

23 Aug, 2022

Matthew

22 Aug, 2022

Agm

01 Aug, 2022

Very good and fast service

Lombard

13 Jul, 2022

The quality of the item , The description of the item ALL met , more than my expectations ! , FRANK . ( AUSTRALIA ) .

Jacob

10 Jul, 2022

The order was shipped promptly. The product was in immaculate condition.

Jacob

09 Jul, 2022

Great pin in a wonderful time presentation box!

Eric

25 Jun, 2022

Exactly what I was looking for to introduce a 3yo dinosaur enthusiast to paleontology

Nathan

23 Jul, 2022

Mehul

20 Jul, 2022

gamedic212

29 Jun, 2022

AncientArtifactsbyCW

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463 Reviews