{"product_id":"byzantine-bronze-follis-coin-jesus-christ-king-of-kings-14k-gold-and-sterling-silver-pendant-artifact-4930","title":"Byzantine Bronze Follis Coin - Jesus Christ, King of Kings 14K Gold and Sterling Silver Pendant | Artifact #4930","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Byzantine Bronze Follis: Jesus Christ, King of Kings in an Heirloom Pendant\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #990000;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: This is an authentic ancient Byzantine Treasure Coin, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #990000;\"\u003eFOR PENDANT SIZE SEE COIN DETAILS BELOW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the early 5th Century, the once dominant Roman Empire was a fragmented collection of on-again, off-again allied or warring regions. Divided roughly between the western and eastern halves of the empire, the glory of Rome was no longer. Out of the ashes of this once great society rose the empire that would dominate European culture, economics and warfare for close to a millennium: The Eastern Roman, or Christian Byzantine Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is from this mighty Christian empire, surrounded by non-christian kingdoms, that this regal bronze follis comes. Bearing a portrait of Jesus Christ with the book of the Gospels on the front, on the back is the bold Latin cross with a \"X\" at the center. \"X\" is the first letter of Christ in Latin. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYour Byzantine Bronze Follis:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDenomination: Follis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDate: 1078 - 1081 AD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmperor: Nicephorus III \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eObverse (Front): \u003cstrong\u003eJesus Christ Holding the Gospels in Left Hand and Right Hand Raised in Benediction - IC left and XC right of Christ - SEE BELOW\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReverse (Back): \u003cstrong\u003eLatin Cross with X at the Center - \"X\" is the first letter of Christ in Greek\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoin Metal: Bronze\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMint: Constantinople\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBezel Metal: 14K Gold, Proprietary, Non-Tarnishing Sterling Silver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticulating Bail Interior Diameter: Will accommodate chain or leather necklace up to 6.2 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePendant Size including the bezel: 1 1\/8” Across, 1 1\/2” Tall - the width of a 50 cent piece\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #8e0101;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert's Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#990000\"\u003e Beautiful coin, with an amazing portrait of Christ. It's hard to believe this coin is over 1,000 years old. It only survived this long, and in such good condition, by being buried for hundreds of years, then painstakingly conserved in our conservation lab. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#990000\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #8e0101;\" color=\"#8e0101\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote on the Greek Legend:\u003c\/strong\u003e IC is the first two letters of Jesus in Greek, and XC is the first two letters of Christ. These abbreviations are also usually seen on the front of the coin, appearing to the left and right of Christ.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Byzantine Empire was firmly rooted in its Greek past. Byzantines were mainly Greek-speakers throughout Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Their capital city was Constantinople, which was also known historically as Byzantium.  After the 5th century collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire continued to thrive and grow in influence, and while we refer to the “Byzantine Empire” or “Eastern Roman Empire,” they referred to their country as simply the “Roman Empire.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eByzantine money – the money used in the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the West (circa 470 AD) – was made up of two very different types of coins:  the gold solidus and a variety of bronze coins with clearly defined values. By the end of the empire, coins were issued in silver and bronze only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly Byzantine coins are familiar to those who are used to Roman Empire coins. On the obverse, or front, is the bust of the Emperor, with one significant change. Now, the Emperor is portrayed full face rather than in profile. On the reverse, or back, of Byzantine coins is usually a Christian symbol. Crosses and angels (based on the winged Roman goddess Victory) were often used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the rule of Emperor Justinian II (685–695), Byzantine coins were becoming more distinctly “Byzantine” in both art and symbolism. Justinian was the first to picture Jesus Christ on the obverse of his coinage, with a half, or full-length depiction of the Emperor on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the centuries, Byzantine coins were a staple of trade throughout Europe and the Orient. These coins are found throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Orient and North Africa to this day. Each is a snapshot into the past, when a once-great empire ruled the Eastern world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eYour Byzantine Follis Pendant comes with:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur 100% Authentic Lifetime Guarantee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Detailed, Customized, Multi-Page, Full Color Photo Certificate of Authenticity Researched and Written by April Knecht \u0026amp; Robert Lewis Knecht\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTreasure Hunters Gazette Booklet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMini Museum Display for when you are not wearing your treasure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Treasure Jewelry Care Card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e","brand":"Cannon Beach Treasure Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51187901268215,"sku":null,"price":930.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0650\/4193\/files\/4930-Ancient-Byzantine-Bronze-Annonymous-Follis-Ancient-Coin-Jesus-Christ-King-of-Kings-14K-Gold-and-Sterling-Silver-Pendant-02.jpg?v=1789844261","url":"https:\/\/cannonbeachtreasure.com\/products\/byzantine-bronze-follis-coin-jesus-christ-king-of-kings-14k-gold-and-sterling-silver-pendant-artifact-4930","provider":"Cannon Beach Treasure Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}