Ancient Roman Panther Pendant

Coin: Bronze Antoninianus
Obverse: Portrait of Emperor Gallienus 
Reverse:  Panther walking left
Date: c. 267-268 A.D.
Bezel: Sterling Silver
Weight:  4.3 grams
Diameter: 21 mm / .82 inches

Description

This item is an authentic Roman coin, placed in a handmade bezel of sterling silver. There is only 1 of this item; you will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.  

Chain necklaces can be purchased separately through this link.

History of the Artifact

This Antoninianus belongs to the animal-reverse series issued under Gallienus, a striking and unusually symbolic group of coins struck during the crisis-ridden mid-third century. The panther is not decorative filler—it is a deliberate religious reference. In Roman iconography, the panther is closely associated with Dionysus (Bacchus), god of wine, frenzy, and renewal, often shown riding or accompanied by the animal. By placing it on a circulating silvered coin, the emperor was likely invoking divine protection and cosmic order at a time when the empire was fracturing under invasions, usurpations, and economic stress.

These pieces are typically lightly silvered billon, with the wash often partially or fully worn today, revealing the coppery core beneath. That look—once bright, now subdued—is very characteristic of the period and adds to the historical texture of the coin. The obverse portrait tends to be expressive, sometimes even gaunt, reflecting the evolving style of third-century imperial portraiture. The panther reverse stands out among Roman coin types because it feels almost mythic rather than militaristic, a reminder that emperors did not rely solely on armies and titles, but also on religious symbolism to legitimize their rule. For collectors, this type is especially appealing because it combines strong visual identity, mythological depth, and a direct link to one of the most turbulent chapters in Roman history. 

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.

You will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.

These coins originate from the everyday monetary life of the Roman world during a turbulent century, struck in vast numbers at imperial mints and paid out as soldiers’ wages, state expenses, and market currency. Because they circulated so heavily, people in antiquity often buried savings during periods of instability—small personal hoards concealed for safety, many of which were never recovered by their owners and instead lay undisturbed in soil for centuries. The silvered bronze alloy proved durable enough to survive long burial, leaving examples that are often remarkably legible today despite their age. Modern finds usually come from documented hoards dispersed through legal channels, studied, cleaned conservatively, and released onto the market. As a result of their immense original output and frequent recovery, they are among the most accessible genuine Roman coins, now widely available through established dealers, auctions, and specialist firms that handle them as historical artifacts rather than rare curiosities.