This is a bronze coin also known as a folis is from the Byzantine Era. Byzantine coins are one of the most challenging and complex coins to identify. This coin has an image of an emperor on the front; on the reverse of the coin is Arabic script making this a coin that embraced both the eastern and western worlds. Mostly like dating after the Arabs took over Constantinople; sometime after 900 AD. The coin is surround by a hand hammered white gold mount that offsets the bronze coin beautifully. This setting is part of Kirsten's Corner signature designs.
It certainly is a piece of history and was bought back from a trip to Turkey a few years back. The piece weighs 10.8 grams, it measures 35mm in diameter. The hand hammered white gold border is 2.5mm thick. The oval bale is 8mm x 6mm and will accommodate a large chain. The coin has a wonderful patina of golden brown and blacked hues.
The Byzantine Empire is also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantium. It was the continuation of the Roman Empire in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinople.
We have other Ancient Coin jewelry in our collection. The pendant is pictured here with an Ancient Silver Drachma Coin with Medusa in 14K Gold Mount and an Ancient Silver Tetradachm Coin Scynthian King Azes II in 14K Gold Mount.
