BYZANTINE GOLD HYPERPYRON COIN PENDANT

IN 14KY GOLD

1118 - 1143 A.D.

Wow!  At the size of a silver dollar and struck nearly 1000 years ago of PURE GOLD, this Byzantine hyperpyron coin makes for one of the most stunning ancient coin pendants we've ever offered!  Issued by John II Comnenus, this large pure gold coin features Christ sitting on a throne wearing flowing robes and with full halo.  The rich, hypnotic glow of the pure gold contrasts wonderfully with the bright high polish of the 14K yellow gold setting.  

Though much maligned by his sister, the chronicler Anna Comnena, John II proved to be perhaps the greatest of all the Comnenii emperors.  Capitalizing on his father, Alexius I's gains, John was able to secure, and even expand, the imperial borders, solidifying Byzantine rule in both the Balkans and Asia Minor.    

Thirty years old at the time of his accession, handsome, strong and vigorous, John was well loved by his people.  He maintained his father's successful expansion of the Themes, granting land in return for military service, and dealt as skillfully with the Crusaders as had his father.  Allying himself with the Holy Roman Emperors Lothair II and Conrad III, he was able to check Norman advances in Sicily and elsewhere.  Meanwhile, he was militarily strong enough close to home to defeat Turks, Serbs, Pechenegs and Hungarians alike.  

While hunting in 1143, John grazed himself with a poisoned arrow he was wrestling from a wounded boar. (A couple of sources suggest John was the victim of murder)  Though the wound was unremarkable, the poison was not and John was dead within twenty-four hours, to be succeeded by his son Manuel I.

For the lover of Byzantine history, Christ-themed artifacts or anyone fond of beautiful genuine ancient GOLD coin jewelry, this is a very highly recommended piece.

Overall diameter is LARGE at 33mm!

CPB002     SOLD

*if desired, add $185 for chain shown, for a 16" 4 mm 14K yellow gold Rolo chain.

895