Mary Mother of Christ Byzantine Empire Coin Pendant

Coin: Bronze Follis
Obverse: Portrait of Mary
Reverse: Portrait of Jesus
Date: 976-1025 AD
Bezel: Sterling Silver
Diameter: 31 mm / 1.22 in 
Weight: 12.09 g

Description

This item is an authentic Byzantine empire coin depicting the virgin Mary, 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

When the Roman Empire split in 395 AD, the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) gradually developed a coinage that reflected its Christian identity. By the 6th century, Christian imagery had fully replaced the pagan gods once common on Roman coins. Crosses and symbols such as the “Chi-Rho” (☧) gave way to portraits of Christ and, by the 10th century, the Virgin Mary.

Coins depicting the Virgin (Theotokos) show her in half-length, hands raised in prayer in the ancient Orans posture, a powerful symbol of intercession and divine protection. On the reverse appears an analogous portrait of Christ, usually front-facing with a haloed cross, underscoring the unity of Mother and Son at the heart of Byzantine devotion.

For roughly three centuries, these designs circulated widely, reminding subjects that the emperor ruled only under divine authority and the guardianship of the Virgin and Christ. Today, when mounted as pendants, they preserve both the artistry of Byzantine engravers and the profound spiritual message they carried.

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

Byzantine bronze follis coins were issued across the Eastern Roman Empire from the 5th to the 11th centuries, serving as everyday currency for the empire's vast population. Struck in large quantities at mints like Constantinople, Antioch, and Nicomedia, these coins circulated widely and were often hoarded or lost in the ground, which helped preserve them. Today, they’re surprisingly abundant on the market thanks to the sheer number that were produced and the durability of their bronze composition—making them accessible relics of a once-mighty empire.