The Byzantine Gold Solidus: The Victory Cross of Calvary Heirloom Pendant

Please Note: This is an authentic ancient Byzantine Treasure Coin, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.

This Pendant is QUARTER sized… Pendant Size Including Bezel: 1" Across, 1 1/2" Tall - the Width of a U. S. Quarter

By 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.

From its origins to the height of its glory, Byzantine coinage bearing the Cross of Christ, celebrated the faith of the Christian empire. And most prized among its coinage is the early era Gold Solidus featuring the Cross Potent - said to represent the Jeweled Cross of Calvary placed on Golgotha Hill by Roman Emperor Theodosius II. Pure Gold, shinning and heavy, this gleaming Solidus is a testament to the coin maker's art... and faith.

Your Byzantine Gold Solidus:

• Denomination: Solidus
• Coin Metal purity: 24K Gold
• Coin weight: 4.40 grams
• Emperor:  Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine - 613-641
• Coin struck: 613-641
• Mint: Constantinople (CONOB)
• Obverse (Front): facing busts of Heraclius, Heraclius Constantine each wearing chlamys and crown, Heraclius is bearded; in the middle above, a small cross
• LEGEND: “Domini Nostri Heraclius et Heraclius Constantinus Augustorum” (Our Lords Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, Augusti)
• Reverse (Back): "VICTORY" VICTORIA AVςЧ 5th officina letter, cross potent on three steps; mintmark CONOB
• Bezel Metal: 18K Gold
• Articulating Bail Interior Diameter: Will accommodate chain or leather necklace up to 6.2 mm
• Pendant size including bezel: 1” Across, 1 1/2” Tall - Width including bezel, the diameter of a quarter

Robert's Notes: This coin is in almost uncirculated, stunning condition for its age... over 1,400 years old. Excellent, fully visible VICTORIA - most of the time this isn't visible on the edge of the coin.

It is in such amazing condition, you can still see the glow of mint luster in the fields around the legends.

See Coin Notes below for more information.

We create a special luxury weight 18K gold frame that gives this piece a beautiful regal look and feel. I love to use 18K gold instead of 14K as most ancient jewelry and coins where created from 22K to 24K (pure) gold. The warm glow of the 18K compliments the gold coin. It is in amazing condition for its age and high purity of gold.

Coin Notes: "VICTORIA" signifies that ruler is victorious in Christ. Officina letter signifies a subdivision of the mint - used to keep control of the quality of a coin, just like mint and assayer marks on Spanish coins. The cross on steps is believed to represent the great jeweled cross erected on Golgotha Hill (Calvary) by Theodosius II (408–450). 

Grierson notes, in the Dumbarton Oaks catalog, “the inscriptions [on this type] are very variable, since it was difficult to get so much on the coin.”

The 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.”

Byzantine money – the money used in the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the West – 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.

Your Byzantine Gold Solidus Pendant comes with:

1. Our 100% Authentic Lifetime Guarantee
2. A Detailed, Multi-Page Certificate of Authenticity Researched and Written by April Knecht and Robert Lewis Knecht
3. Treasure Hunters Gazette Booklet
4. Mini Museum Display for when you are not wearing your treasure
5. A Treasure Jewelry Care Card