BYZANTINE "VIRGIN OF THE SIGN" FOLLES COIN PENDANT

IN 14KY GOLD

1092 A.D.

For the first time ever, we offer this very unique and seldom seen Byzantine folles featuring the Mother of God, "The Virgin of the Sign".  Imagery like this of the Virgin was second only to icons of Christ in the Byzantine church.  This coin features not only excellent detail but the patina of dark olive and burnt orange makes for a rare and beautiful example and contrasts in a stunning manner with the high polished 14K yellow gold setting.  

Attributed to the rule of Alexius, this coin is called an anonymous Folles because the ruling emperor was not depicted on the obverse but instead, Jesus Christ.  The reverse which is shown, features the Virgin Mary known at this time as the Virgin Orans, or the Virgin of the Sign.  Icons of Mary holding her Son Jesus have been popular since the Council of Ephesus in 431 solemnly declared Mary to be the "Theotòkos" or Mother of God.  "The Lord himself will give you a sign..." (Isaiah 7:14).  Mary's hands are raised in prayer and she bears on her breast a medallion of Christ Emmanuel.

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 and even more rare, the Virgin Mary.  

As a modern representative of one's Christian beliefs, wearing a pendant featuring one of these genuine ancient and magnificent coins of early Christianity is a far more unique display of one's faith compared to a modern made, mass-produced cross on a chain.

Coin dimensions are 24 mm in diameter with the setting.

CPB009     SOLD 

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

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