$ 3,370.00 USD Size Guide
We've been working 'round the clock to bring you new treasures for the Holidays! And since video is the best way to see how truly beautiful these treasures are, we're posting them before all the still photographs are up so that you can adopt this treasure now!
Please Note: This is an authentic ancient Byzantine Treasure Coin, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.
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 image of Christ celebrated the faith of the Christian empire. And among the most prized of its coinage are the gold coins bearing the Image of Christ - this stunning, "cupped" Histamenon Nomisma is a testament to the coin maker's art... and Christian faith.
Robert's Notes: "IC" and "XC" in left and right field next to portrait of Christ are the first two letter in Greek of Jesus Christ.
I created 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.
What Do the Images on this Byzantine Coin Mean?
Obverse (front): Bust of Christ with nimbus cross (the hallo around Christ's head - note the same nimbus cross in artwork from that time period), He is holding Gospels. The small initials IC and XC in both left and right fields, on either sides of the throne (Initials IC are first two letters of Jesus in Greek, XC first initials for Christ). The iconography of Christ on the obverse, and the ruler on the reverse (back) holding a globus cruciger signifies Jesus Christ, King of Kings
Reverse is the ruler's name and title in Greek: + MIXAHA RACIA O ∆ (Michael King), and His crowned bust, facing, wearing loros, holding labarum with pellet on shaft and globus cruciger
The globus cruciger represents the Earth, with a cross extending from the top and signifies that Christ is the ruler of the world, and the king or emperor is the ruler of his dominion
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 coins and a variety of bronze coins with clearly defined values. By the end of the empire, coins were issued in silver and bronze only.
