Circa: 286 AD to 361 AD Collection: Roman Medium: Bronze On this wonderful necklace are proudly displayed the most important and powerful men covering a span of nearly a  More »

Circa: 286 AD to 361 AD Collection: Roman Medium: Bronze On this wonderful necklace are proudly displayed the most important and powerful men covering a span of nearly a hundred years. During that relatively short period the empire changed radically, due mainly to two emperors Diocletian and Constantine the Great. Both men were brave soldiers and able administrators who possessed an enlightened vision of how to achieve power and to use it wisely. Diocletian recognized the empire was too vast for one man to role effectively, and consequently appointed colleagues to share the burden. These included Maximianus and Galerius who were Caesars in the West and East respectively. Constantine I had his sons to help him govern, including Constantine II and Constantius II. Theodosius I also possessed the virtues that make a fine ruler, those of courage in battle and judicious statecraft. These assembled coins are a veritable panoply in bronze, resplendent with the images of great men who shook the earth with their presence; as will anyone who wears this magnificent necklace. - (FJ.6097)   « Less

Circa: 238 AD to 244 AD Collection: Roman Medium: Bronze-Gold Gordian III was the grandson of Gordian I and the nephew of Gordian II; both of whom were emperors for a  More »

Circa: 238 AD to 244 AD Collection: Roman Medium: Bronze-Gold Gordian III was the grandson of Gordian I and the nephew of Gordian II; both of whom were emperors for a brief period. During the turbulent 3rd. Century, Gordian III was saluted emperor at the ripe age of 13. He was guided by the praetorian prefect Timesitheus, who in the company of the emperor, set off for a campaign against the Persians (242). After initial successes the loyalty of the troops was undermined by treachery and Gordian was deposed. This ended a reign of the Gordians who were intelligent and literate men much needed in a brutal age. This very handsome coin shows a youthful ruler crowned with a laurel wreath, surrounded by the legend IMP.GORDIANVS PIVS FEL. AVG., indicating the coin was minted while he was Augustus. On the reverse is Security standing left holding scepter and leaning on a column. The letters SC show the minting was approved by the Senate of Rome. The bold beauty of this necklace brings the most glorious aspects of the Roman world into the modern age, destined for someone with the style and individuality of royalty. - (FJ.6335)   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 323 BC to 317 BC Collection: Coin Jewelry Style: Greek Medium: Silver, Gold Additional Information: This coin is set in a 22 Karat gold  More »

Origin: Israel Circa: 323 BC to 317 BC Collection: Coin Jewelry Style: Greek Medium: Silver, Gold Additional Information: This coin is set in a 22 Karat gold pendant. The half-brother of Alexander the Great, Philip Arrhidaeus leaves no trace of his activities until the death of Alexander in 323 A.D. It was at this difficult and dangerous period of transition that Philip came to prominence, having been proclaimed Alexander's successor by the Macedonian phalanx troops in Babylon. Joint ruler with the infant Alexander IV, he assumed the regnal name Philip III and was married to Adea, the cousin of the great general Perdiccas. In 317 A.D. his wife attempted an uprising against the regent Polyperchon, and both she and Philip were killed. On this beautiful coin he is shown facing right clad in a lion’s skin as young Hercules. Mounted inside the exquisite pendant this coin is. as radiant as the court of ancient kings. - (FJ.6559)   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 198 AD to 211 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Coin Necklaces Medium: Silver and Gold Emperor Lucius Septimius Severus was born April 11,  More »

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 198 AD to 211 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Coin Necklaces Medium: Silver and Gold Emperor Lucius Septimius Severus was born April 11, 145 A.D. in Leptis Magna, a Carthaginian city located in North Africa. Severus came from a distinguished local family; his cousins received suffect consulships in Rome under Antoninus Pius. Severus restored stability to the Roman Empire after the tumultuous reign of the emperor Commodus and the outbreaks of civil war that erupted in the wake of Commodus' murder. However, by giving greater pay and benefits to soldiers and annexing the troublesome lands of northern Mesopotamia into the Roman Empire, Septimius Severus brought increasing financial and military burdens to Rome's government. Although his prudent administration allowed these burdens to be met during his eighteen years on the throne, his reign was not entirely sunny. Overall, his reign marks a critical stage in the development of the absolute despotism that characterized the later Roman Empire. - (X.0509)   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 355 AD to 360 AD Collection: Coin Jewelry Medium: Gold Condition: Very Fine Few men of late antiquity are as well known as Julian II, usually  More »

Origin: Israel Circa: 355 AD to 360 AD Collection: Coin Jewelry Medium: Gold Condition: Very Fine Few men of late antiquity are as well known as Julian II, usually referred to as "the Philosopher" or "the Apostate". Julian was not satisfied with Christianity, even from an early age. His formative years were spent studying philosophy, paganism, ‘magic’, occultism and related subjects that were frowned upon by the Church. So much did Julian enjoy his scholarly pursuits that he avoided any call to Imperial duties, even though he was one of the few surviving males of the House of Constantine. His memories of family politics could not have been fond, as many of his direct and extended family were murdered in the purge of 337. Among the survivors – because of their youth – were Julian and his cousin Constantius Gallus. When Julian was compelled by Constantius II to rule in the west as Caesar, he knew that he faced a difficult task: not only was the west constantly in danger from barbarian invasion, but it was under- funded and had too small an army. Nonetheless he proved resourceful, persistent and, above all, capable. Indeed, he grew in popularity so much that it alarmed Constantius II in the east. Finally, in 360, Julian was hailed emperor by his western army, and he marched eastward to confront Constantius II. The empire was fortunate that Constantius II died before the armies of the east and the west could clash, for each army was extremely loyal to their emperor, and the resulting battle would have been horrific. As sole emperor for two years, Julian’s principal tasks were to restore pagan institutions that had suffered at the hands of the Christian Church, and to launch a much-anticipated invasion of Persia. Julian was remarkably successful in both endeavours, but was cut down in a battle against the Persians, either by an enemy or by one of his own Christian soldiers. - (MT.125)   « Less

Origin: Europe Circa: 290 BC to 280 BC Collection: Coin Jewelry Style: Coin Necklace Medium: Gold Condition: Extra Fine Obverse: Taras astride a dolphin, extending  More »

Origin: Europe Circa: 290 BC to 280 BC Collection: Coin Jewelry Style: Coin Necklace Medium: Gold Condition: Extra Fine Obverse: Taras astride a dolphin, extending right arm, and holding distaff in left. Reverse: Nude Ephebus on horse back, rearing right, spearing downward with right hand. Taras (Τάρας) was, according to Greek mythology, the son of Poseidon and of the nymph Satyrion. Taras is the eponymous founder of the Greek colony of Taras (Tarentum, modern Taranto), in Magna Graecia. Note that a harbour close by Taranto is still called Torre Saturo (derived from Satyrion). It was in Torre Saturo, almost 15 km south of Taranto, that Spartan colonists settled their first colony in Taranto zone. Later, around 706 BC, they conquered the Iapygian city of Taranto. On the coinage of the ancient city of Taras, the son of Poisedon is depicted on a dolphin, sometimes with his father's trident in one hand; the same image is depicted on the modern city emblem. in ancient Greece, any male who had attained the age of puberty. In Athens it acquired a technical sense, referring to young men aged 18–20. From about 335 bc they underwent two years of military training under the supervision of an elected kosmetes and 10 sōphronistai (“chasteners”). At the end of the first year each ephebus received a sword and shield from the state; probably at this stage he took the ephebic oath. During their service, ephebi were exempt from civic duties and deprived of most civic rights. During the 3rd century bc, ephebic service ceased to be compulsory and the duration was reduced to one year. The ephebia became an institution for the wealthy classes only. By the 1st century bc foreigners were admitted, and the curriculum was expanded to include philosophic and literary studies, although the military character of the ephebia was not wholly lost. The system began to decay late in the 3rd century ad. In other Hellenistic cities the term ephebi was applied to youths aged 15–17. - (DK.090)   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Roman Gold Coin Of Emperor Diocleti Medium: Gold Condition: Extra Fine

Origin: Mediterranean Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Roman Gold Coin Of Emperor Diocleti Medium: Gold Condition: Extra Fine   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 323 BC to 281 BC Collection: Jewelry Style: Greek Coin Necklaces Medium: Gold, Diamonds Obverse: Deified Head of Alexander the Great Facing  More »

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 323 BC to 281 BC Collection: Jewelry Style: Greek Coin Necklaces Medium: Gold, Diamonds Obverse: Deified Head of Alexander the Great Facing Right Reverse: Athena Nikephoros Enthroned Facing Left Holding Nike Lysimachos was born around 360 B.C. to Thessalian Greek parents who had migrated to Macedonia. He served in the army of Philip II and was appointed to the select somatophylakes (royal bodyguards) under Alexander the Great. After Alexander’s death, he was given a satrapy consisting of Thrace and parts of northwestern Asia Minor. He supported the various coalitions that included Seleukos, Ptolemy and Kassandros against the growing power of Antigonos Monophthalmos. Like the other major successor generals, he proclaimed himself king in 305/4 B.C. and built his capital, Lysimacheia, in the Thracian Chersonesos. Lysimachos was instrumental in the final destruction of Antigonos at the battle of Ipsos in 301. It fell to him and his army to hold the Antigonid forces in Asia Minor until Seleukos could arrive from the east with his war elephants and deliver the coup de grace. Because of the great risks that he undertook, Lysimachos received the majority of Antigonos' possessions in Asia Minor. Despite some difficulties with native Thracian tribal chiefs, Lysimachos wrested the very throne of Macedonia from Demetrios Poliorketes in 285. Unfortunately, Lysimachos was unable to conciliate his subjects to himself. Eventually, the peoples of Asia Minor, gorwing discontent with Lysimachos’ rule and over-taxation, invited Seleukos to save them. The ensuing contest was decided on the field of Koroupedion in 291 B.C. when Lysimachos fell to the forces of Seleukos I. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether active currencies in the age we live or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. Like most successors, Lysimachos adopted the imagery of Alexander the Great in order to bolter his legitimacy as an independent ruler. Although Athena was favored by Alexander, the particular iconography used here on the reverse was popularized by the Successors. The goddess is shown as Nikephoros, 'the victory bearer' and holds Nike to indicate this function. Victory was an important concept for Hellenistic rulers because without victory it was impossible to be taken seriously as a king. Thus Nike is seen here to be crowning the name of Lysimachos with a laurel wreath. This coin seeks to establish the legitimacy of Lysimachos’ rule. However, today this ancient artifact is more than a testament to a leader, it is concrete remnants of an ancient empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (FJ.7254)   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 235 AD to 238 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Coin Necklaces Medium: Gold and Bronze It was rumored that Maximinus could drink sixty  More »

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 235 AD to 238 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Coin Necklaces Medium: Gold and Bronze It was rumored that Maximinus could drink sixty pints of wine and eat forty pounds of meat a day. The popular barbarian soldier was also reputed to be over eight feet tall and to have worn his wife's bracelet as a ring. The stories of his physical feats were even more astounding. He was an excellent warrior but a terrible statesman. He led his armies against the Germans but fought as a foot soldier, slaying enemy soldiers easily due to his immense size and strength. He ran the government in much the same way, often exiling or murdering senators who dared to oppose him. Maximinus' harsh policies angered the people of the empire and in the provinces. In A.D. 238, the citizens of North Africa rebelled against Maximinus' procurator, the financial officer in charge of taxes. They proclaimed an eighty-seven year old man by the name of Gordianus emperor and his son was made co-emperor with him. When news of the rebellion reached Maximinus, he decided to march on Rome. Already unpopular with the people, this move caused him to be disdained. While laying siege to the city of Aquileia, whose citizens stoutly resisted, Maximinus’ German troops became demoralized and decided to do away with him.How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This ancient coin is a memorial an emperor, passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (FJ.7274)   « Less

Origin: Syria (Emessa, Ebla) Circa: 244 AD to 249 AD Collection: Biblical-Roman Medium: Silver-Carnelian Additional Information: The coin is set in an 18 karat gold  More »

Origin: Syria (Emessa, Ebla) Circa: 244 AD to 249 AD Collection: Biblical-Roman Medium: Silver-Carnelian Additional Information: The coin is set in an 18 karat gold pendant surrounded by gunine early Bronze Age   « Less