Byzantine Empire Coin Pendant

Coin: Bronze Follis
Obverse: Portrait of Jesus Christ
Reverse: Inscription saying “Jesus Christ King of Kings”
Date: 900 - 1100 A.D.
Bezel: Sterling Silver
Weight:  12.42 grams
Diameter: 26 mm

Description

This item is an authentic Byzantine empire coin depicting Christ, 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.  

History of the Artifact

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.

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".

Authenticity

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.

Your order will include:

• Byzantine Empire Coin Pendant shown in photos
• Certificate of Authenticity