Coin pendant

Pendant from Byzantine silver coin minted in Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) for the emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII (976-1025). On the obverse side of the coin we see the bust image of the Emperor with a cross at the foot, probably Christ's cross on Calvary in Jerusalem. The inscription on this side begins on the left of the cross and translates as: ‘Victory in this sign’ (meaning the cross), Basil and Constantine. On the reverse side there are five horizontal lines of text: ‘Basil (and) Constantine, Born in the Purple, true kings of Rome’. Byzantine coins are relatively rare in Scandinavia. Most were found in hoards from the 11th century in Gotland, where they make up a very small part of the total number of coins. Elsewhere in Scandinavia they often appear in special contexts in the form of jewellery. This coin pendant was found in a surface layer in a building dated to the 11th century. Settlement find, Norrtil, Sankt Olof Parish, Uppland. Loan from Sigtuna Museum.

Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

<   40 of 52  >