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Reverse shown with inscription in Greek, "In Christ, Victory" Obverse shown with image of Christ seated on throne with halo and holding the Gospels
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CHRISTIAN ROMAN BYZANTINE COIN MADE INTO A PENDANT IN ANCIENT TIMES 10th - 11th Century A.D. This is a genuine bronze Byzantine coin minted by the Christian Roman Empire when it was ruled from Constantinople (present day Istanbul, Turkey). What is unique is that it was pierced in ancient times when the coin was still being used as currency. The patina is the same in the crude punched hole at the top as it is over the rest of the coin bearing out the age of the piercing. This type of coin is called an anonymous bronze Folles because the ruling emperor was not depicted on the obverse but instead, Christ. The reverse, boldly states its message of Christianity, "In Christ, Victory!". An impressive antiquity of ancient Christianity and highly recommended. This ancient pierced coin is truly an example of some of the early displays of wearing coins as jewelry in the Ancient World. Speculation can surmise that it could have been worn by a Christian Roman soldier. Such items were almost always worn by Christian soldiers of the Eastern Roman Empire and especially in battle, where it was believed that the display of faith would bring protection by God. The crude and hasty design was irrelevant as it was the meaning of the piece that was of utmost importance. This piece was found in a region of high concentration of both major battles and lighter conflicts that Eastern Roman Byzantine soldiers fought to protect the Christian Roman Empire. It is undoubtedly an intriguing artifacts of Early Christendom. If this coin pendant could talk, what a story it might have! To think it was worn in battle makes it especially intriguing! We have added a large modern sterling silver bail to the intact and original hole at the top allowing this remarkable piece to be safely worn today on a chain. Bail is large enough to accommodate a man's or woman's chain and this stunning artifact of early Christendom could easily be worn by either a man or woman. Entire piece is solid and wearable with no worries. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
The anonymous bronze folles series was a revolutionary design in Byzantine coinage. For countless centuries even dating back to the early Roman Empire, coins always featured an emperor and promoted the emperor's rule. As Christianity dominated the Byzantine culture, a break from tradition was instituted in their coin folles issues to purposely promote Christ and not a man, not even the emperor himself during his own rule. This was in keeping with Christian beliefs that man is insignificant in the light of God and no man should be worshipped but God alone. These coins typically feature an image of Christ looking straight at you on the obverse side with the reverse boldly written in Greek, "In Christ, Victory" or "Jesus Christ, King of Kings". More rare are the coins that substitute a beautiful beaded cross in place of the writing.
In the Byzantine Period which lasted from the 5th century AD to the fall of Constantinople in the 15th century, the Roman Empire and Christianity were completely interwoven. It was the quintessential example of the UNION of church and state. The classic architecture, style of dress, and overall appearance of all that was "Roman" took on a new and intricate style that the world has never seen before or has ever since been repeated. Roman Byzantine culture was an eclectic and yet, harmonious religious blend of the It is during the Byzantine Period that we have the first major introduction of CHRISTIAN JEWELRY to the world!
The Christian jewelry of the ancient world always reflected the humility that Christ preached. Stunning bejeweled adornments were left to the high priests only while performing rituals. The Christian jewelry worn by all believers in antiquity was that of very crude and simplistic design, only very rarely in precious metal. The crosses of the Byzantine Period were predominantly bronze and sometimes lead. The art style was highly stylized, typical for the Byzantine culture. Depictions of Christ and Mary most often appear quite cartoon-like in the imagery on the Christian jewelry and coinage. Since many of the Byzantine coins had religious inscriptions and images of Jesus and occasionally Mary, coins are sometimes found with holes punched through them having been used as a pendant in ancient times by an early believer. In the later Medieval Era and Dark Ages, Christian jewelry maintained this humility in both overall design and manufacture with an increase in the use of silver but a continuance in the use of bronze, copper and lead. Imagery became more refined and detailed. Pilgrim badges were often worn by believers in these times if they had the grand opportunity to visit the Holy city of Jerusalem. An excellent (and wearable!) genuine antiquity from the earliest period of Christian jewelry. 37 mm in height CJ005 SOLD COMES WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY / HISTORY SHEET *** shown with optional CHAIN A, not included |
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The
cross came to symbolize the basic Christian concepts: Incarnation,
Atonement and the Resurrection. It was believed the crosses
possessed hidden healing strength and guaranteed salvation of the
soul! Many objects in antiquity, both everyday items as well as
those for holy rituals, abounded in Christian imagery. Some examples
of this imagery that were used with Christian significance besides the
cross were the Chi-Ro symbol, the fish, angels, a starburst and
abbreviated inscriptions in Greek (the language used for religious
writings and coinage) which translated to "In Christ, Victory"
or "Jesus Christ, King of Kings".