Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 307 AD to 337 AD Collection: Coin Jewelry Style: Roman Coin Cufflinks Medium: Gold and Bronze Constantine I, called Constantine the Great,  More »

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 307 AD to 337 AD Collection: Coin Jewelry Style: Roman Coin Cufflinks Medium: Gold and Bronze Constantine I, called Constantine the Great, was the first Roman ruler to be converted to Christianity. He was the founder of Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), which remained the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire until 1453. Constantine the Great unified a tottering empire, reorganized the Roman state, and set the stage for the final victory of Christianity at the end of the 4th century. Many modern scholars accept the sincerity of his religious conviction. His conversion was a gradual process; at first he probably associated Christ with the victorious sun god. By the time of the Council of Nicaea (325), however, he was completely Christian, but still tolerated paganism among his subjects. Although criticized by his enemies as a proponent of a crude and false religion, Constantine the Great strengthened the Roman Empire and ensured its survival in the East. As the first emperor to rule in the name of Jesus Christ, he was a major figure in the foundation of medieval Christian Europe.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. These stunning hand-struck coins reveal an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This pair of ancient coins is a memorial to the Emperor Constantius the Great, 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.6709B)   « Less

Alexander the Great - CK.0578 Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 336 BC to 323 BC Collection: Jewelry Style: Coin Cufflinks Medium: Gold and Silver Obverse: Head of Herakles  More »

Alexander the Great - CK.0578 Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 336 BC to 323 BC Collection: Jewelry Style: Coin Cufflinks Medium: Gold and Silver Obverse: Head of Herakles Facing to the Right Reverse: Zeus Seated Holding an Eagles and Scepter Alexander the Great, son of Philip II of Macedon, is arguably the most important historical figure in the ancient world. Born on July 20th, 356 BC, he was an astute, if somewhat headstrong student, and was schooled by various famous teachers, notably Aristotle. By the time of his death at the age of 32, he had personally supervised one of the largest land-based military expeditions of all time, and had conquered the whole of the then known world from Asia Minor across the whole of Persia, Anatolia, Syria, Phoenicia, Judea, Gaza, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Bactria, parts of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. A legend in his own lifetime, he became known as much for his excesses and cruelty as his extraordinary military prowess but was nonetheless a comparatively fair and temperate man. Perhaps due to his supposed descent from Achilles and Herakles, he essentially became deified during the Hellenistic period. The Greeks celebrated Alexander in art and song, and his legend continued under the Romans, who had a fascination with military campaigns and tactics.How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your 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 touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. Worth a week's pay, silver coins like these would have rewarded the bravery and fortitude of the officers serving under one of history’s most celebrated generals, Alexander the Great. While his vast kingdom dissolved after his death, the carefully cultivated legend of Alexander will continue to live on not only in our history books and museums, but also in artifacts like these coins: concrete remnants of ancient empires passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (CK.0578)   « Less

Origin: Jerusalem, Israel Circa: 518 AD to 527 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Byzantine Coin Pendant Medium: Gold Additional Information: This Genuine Ancient Coin Has  More »

Origin: Jerusalem, Israel Circa: 518 AD to 527 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Byzantine Coin Pendant Medium: Gold Additional Information: This Genuine Ancient Coin Has Been Set in a 14 karat Yellow Gold Pendant Justin I, who rose to the imperial throne from humble origins, was clearly someone of adventurous spirit, unafraid of the new. This stunning necklace places the warm brilliance of old gold in a striking modern context, creating exciting adornment for a woman with a few new ideas of her own. - (FJ.0719)   « Less

Origin: Afghanistan Circa: 130 AD to 147 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Parthian Coin Pendant Medium: Silver and Gold This superb coin is a token of a mysterious  More »

Origin: Afghanistan Circa: 130 AD to 147 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Parthian Coin Pendant Medium: Silver and Gold This superb coin is a token of a mysterious interlude in the history of Parthia, the powerful eastern empire which challenged the might of Rome. Mithradates IV was a usurper to the throne whose reign is known chiefly through his coinage. Wearing this fascinating talisman, one of the few remaining clues from a dramatic life, we are reminded that time puts all things in perspective. - (FJ.1514)   « Less

Origin: Israel (Bethlehem) Circa: 578 AD to 582 AD Collection: Byzantine Cold Coin Pendant Medium: Gold Mankind has always prized gold, not just for its rarity, but also  More »

Origin: Israel (Bethlehem) Circa: 578 AD to 582 AD Collection: Byzantine Cold Coin Pendant Medium: Gold Mankind has always prized gold, not just for its rarity, but also for its beauty and durability. This stunning coin was worth a considerable sum in the world that minted it; the passage of time has only increased its value, made it even more rare, even more beautiful. - (FJ.1876)   « Less

Origin: Israel (Bethlehem) Circa: 527 AD to 565 BC Collection: Byzantine Coin Pendant Medium: Bronze-Gold One of history's more remarkable personalities, Justinian  More »

Origin: Israel (Bethlehem) Circa: 527 AD to 565 BC Collection: Byzantine Coin Pendant Medium: Bronze-Gold One of history's more remarkable personalities, Justinian defined the age in which he lived. Brilliant and charismatic, Justinian gained lasting fame as a codifier of laws, as a military strategist, and as the architect of the splendid church of Hagia Sofia. This large bronze coin bearing his imperial image seems to epitomize the grandeur of his reign. The people who first held it were witnesses to history. The individual who wears this superb pendant today is certain to make a mark on the world as well. - (FJ.4205)   « Less

Origin: Holy Land Circa: 1068 AD to 1071 BC Collection: Byzantine Bronze Coin Pendant Medium: bronze/gold Upon his taking the throne, Romanus IV immediately began the  More »

Origin: Holy Land Circa: 1068 AD to 1071 BC Collection: Byzantine Bronze Coin Pendant Medium: bronze/gold Upon his taking the throne, Romanus IV immediately began the arduous task of trying to defend Asia Minor against the advance of the Seljuq Turks. With an army composed mainly of foreign mercenaries he achieved some initial success, but was taken prisoner - (FJ.5846)   « Less

Byzantine Bronze Follis of Justin II - FJ.5850 Origin: Holy Land Circa: 565 AD to 578 BC Collection: Byzantine Bronze Coin Pendant Medium: bronze/gold As nephew of  More »

Byzantine Bronze Follis of Justin II - FJ.5850 Origin: Holy Land Circa: 565 AD to 578 BC Collection: Byzantine Bronze Coin Pendant Medium: bronze/gold As nephew of Justinian I, Justin II was selected for the sucession before his uncle's death. Immediately upon his asumption of the throne he was beset by a series of problems resulting from his predecessor's over-zealous policies. The empire was beseige - (FJ.5850)   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 1042 AD to 1055 AD Collection: Coin Jewelry Style: Byzantine Gold Coin Pendant Medium: Gold, Diamonds, Ruby Constantine IX had been a senator  More »

Origin: Israel Circa: 1042 AD to 1055 AD Collection: Coin Jewelry Style: Byzantine Gold Coin Pendant Medium: Gold, Diamonds, Ruby Constantine IX had been a senator before being chosen as the new husband of empress Zoe. Whether he truly wanted either wife or exalted position is unknown, but it is certain he did not take his responsibilities too seriously. The treasury had been vastly increased by the frugal Basil II, and Constantine proceeded to spend money lavishly. However, his tastes were refined, and his court became a cultural and artistic center. In 1045 he established a university in Constantinople. Under his leadership momentous changes occurred with lasting consequences; including the dissolution of soldier-farmers resulting in the hiring of mercenaries; and the shism between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople. The obverse of this very fine coin shows Christ surrounded by nimbus (halo), with left hand on book of Gospels. The emperor is on the reverse shown bearded, wearing crown and loros, holding long cross in his right hand and globe with pelleted cross in his left. Given his enjoyment of beautiful objects, Constantine would have admired this coin of his reign set in such a lovely pendant. - (FJ.6456)   « Less

Origin: Iran Circa: 591 AD to 628 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Sassanid Coin Pendant Medium: Silver and Gold In 244 A.D., Ardeshir I founded the Sassanid Dynasty, the  More »

Origin: Iran Circa: 591 AD to 628 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Sassanid Coin Pendant Medium: Silver and Gold In 244 A.D., Ardeshir I founded the Sassanid Dynasty, the last native Persian Kingdom to rule Ancient Iran before the Islamic conquest. The Sassanid era was a golden age of Persian culture that witnessed the revival of Zoroastrianism, an ancient mystical religion native to these lands, and a literary Renaissance spurred by the translation of many Old Persian epics recorded in cuneiform into the Middle Persian language of Pahlavi written in an alphabet derived from Aramaic. By introducing heightened international trade and commerce they created a legacy of political and economic diplomacy. They sponsored trade with the Romans (later on the Byzantines), their archenemy, to the west and the Chinese to the east. Excavations in China have unearthed gold and silver Sassanid coins covering a span of many centuries until the demise of the Empire during the reign of Khosrow II. However, the fall of the Empire had already started with a series of wars waged under the rule of Khosrow I, the father of Khosrow II. Challenged by the intensification of the same international commerce that had bore such wealth, struggles for national power and international prestige had escalated to an ungovernable degree. In the face of threats to his royal house, Khosrow II embarked upon military campaigns that would prove unsuccessful. By the close of his reign, the once mighty Sassanid Empire came to an end, paving the way for the rise of Islam in the Middle East. The inherent splendor of the precious metals is allowed to shine in this gorgeous pendant. The hues of the silver and the gold naturally complement each other. In this pendant, the present and the past combine. The classic, reserved form of the modern gold settings enhances the timeless beauty and majesty of the ancient coin. To wear this pendant is to reconnect with the past while simultaneously exhibiting style and elegance that is both contemporary and timeless. - (FJ.7079)   « Less