{"product_id":"byzantine-christian-cross-coin-pendant-copy-1","title":"Byzantine Christian Cross Coin Pendant","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCoin: Silver Miliaresion\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eObverse: Cross Set on three steps\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDate: c. 10th Century A.D.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBezel: 14k Gold\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWeight:  5.23 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDiameter: 27 mm \/ 1.06 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eDescription\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis item is an authentic Byzantine Empire coin, placed in a handmade bezel of 14 karat gold. There is only 1 of this item; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eyou will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eChain necklaces can be purchased separately through \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ancientartifacts.shop\/collections\/necklace-chains\"\u003ethis link.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistory of the Artifact\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"729\"\u003eThe silver miliaresion was a Byzantine coin introduced in the early 10th century and struck for several centuries as part of the empire’s refined and deeply symbolic monetary system. It was a thin, broad silver piece—roughly equivalent to a Western denier or Islamic dirham—and often served both as currency and as a statement of imperial faith. One of the most striking and enduring designs of the miliaresion features a \u003cstrong data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"439\"\u003ecross on steps\u003c\/strong\u003e on its obverse, replacing the traditional portrait of the emperor. This design marked a profound shift in Byzantine iconography, emphasizing Christian symbolism over imperial likeness, especially during and after the period of Iconoclasm when the depiction of holy figures was contested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"731\" data-end=\"1495\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThe cross design typically shows a tall cross mounted on a series of steps, sometimes accompanied by inscriptions such as “IhSUS XRISTUS NIKA” (“Jesus Christ conquers”) or imperial titles naming the reigning emperor. Coins of this type were issued by rulers including \u003cstrong data-start=\"999\" data-end=\"1010\"\u003eLeo III\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1012\" data-end=\"1029\"\u003eConstantine V\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1031\" data-end=\"1045\"\u003eTheophilus\u003c\/strong\u003e, and later emperors like \u003cstrong data-start=\"1071\" data-end=\"1082\"\u003eBasil I\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"1087\" data-end=\"1110\"\u003eRomanus I Lecapenus\u003c\/strong\u003e. They were minted primarily in Constantinople and circulated widely throughout the empire and neighboring regions, often serving as a model for later medieval coinage in Europe. The miliaresion’s elegant, reflective surface and austere cross design symbolized both the empire’s devotion to Christianity and its claim to divine legitimacy—an enduring message of faith struck in silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthenticity\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAncient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ethree layer system of protection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAncient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNext, 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. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFinally, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eYour order will include:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMiliaresion Pendant shown in photos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCertificate of Authenticity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAncient Artifacts relics are guaranteed authentic and have a 100% money back policy. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ancient-artifacts-store.myshopify.com\/pages\/the-ancient-artifacts-mission-promise\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eRead more about our Mission and Promise for authenticity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ancient Artifacts Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51368002322648,"sku":"7111","price":870.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0611\/3987\/8104\/files\/7111_front.png?v=1770252327","url":"https:\/\/ancientartifacts.com\/products\/byzantine-christian-cross-coin-pendant-copy-1","provider":"Ancient Artifacts Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}