Extremely Rare Byzantine Jesus Christ 24K Gold Solidus Coin Circa 867 AD 18K Gold Pendant | Artifact #5798

The Byzantine 24K Gold Solidus with the Portrait of Jesus Christ

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 the width of a NICKEL… Pendant Size Including Bezel: 7/8" Across, 1 1/8" Tall - a millimeter wider than a nickel

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, Histamenon Nomisma is a testament to the coin maker's art... and Christian faith.

Your Byzantine Gold Coin:

• Denomination: Gold Solidus  - Extremely Rare - SEE BELOW
• Emperor: Basil I (867-879) & his eldest son Constantine
• Obverse (front) Christ with cross-nimbus behind head, seated in lyre backed throne, right hand raised in benediction, left holding the Bible
• Latin Legend around edge: +IhS XIS REX REGNANTIhM which means "Jesus Christ King of the Kings"  
• Minted circa: 867-879 AD
• Mint: Constantinople
• Coin weight: 4.50 grams
• Coin Metal: 24K Gold 
• Bezel Metal: 18K Gold
• Bail size will accommodate a chain up to 6.2mm. 
• Pendant size including bezel: 7/8” width, 1-1/4” Tall - Just a millimeter wider than a nickel

Robert's Notes: Beyond this stunning 24K gold coin being over 1,100 years old and in almost uncirculated condition, it is an extremely rare type. 

Why this coin is extremely rare and unique: Basil I introduced this new type, the first of its kind in history, Christ enthroned. It is one of the few images on Byzantine coins that can probably be traced to the mosaic over the imperial doorway of the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, where the coin was minted. The type endured for nearly a century, and from this point onward Christ, the Virgin, or a saint would become standard types for the obverses of Byzantine coins.

To preserve the provenance of this coin, all of these details are included in the detailed documentation package and Certificate of Authenticity that comes with this pendant.

This is is one of the highest quality gold coins I have ever had the pleasure to work with. 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): Christ is facing with nimbus cross (the hallo around Christ's head - note the same nimbus cross in artwork from that time period), He is holding Gospels, right hand is raised in benediction. The Greek and Latin around the edge is +IhS XIS REX REGNANTIhM. IhS and XIS are initials for Jesus Christ, REGNANTIhM is King King of the Kings. The iconography of Christ on the obverse, and the ruler on the reverse (back) holding a globus cruciger signifies Jesus Christ, King of Kings

The Reverse is Facing busts of Basil on left, wearing loros and crown with cross, and Constantine on right, wearing chlamys and crown with cross, both holding patriarchal cross between them, Latin around the edge: BASILIOS ET CONSTANT(INVS) AVGG (AVGVSTI abbreviated) b(ASILEIS): Basil and Constantine, Augusti, kings. 

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.

Your Byzantine Gold Nomisma Necklace comes with:

1. Our 100% Authentic Lifetime Guarantee
2. A Detailed, 4 Page Certificate of Authenticity Researched and Written by April Knecht and Robert Lewis Knecht
3. Treasure Hunters Gazette Booklet
4. A Mini Museum frame to display your coin when not wearing it
5. A Treasure Jewelry Care Card