Description
The "histamenon nomisma" is an ancient gold coin from the Byzantine era. Also referred to as "gold Byzants", these are some of the early gold coins to feature Jesus Christ. Goldline is pleased to present a limited number of these gold coins - ranging from 800 to 1000 years old - excavated from a buried cache in the ancient Middle East region.
Design
Each gold coin from the Byzantine era features an unusual c-shaped design. The obverse (on the convex surface) features a depiction of Jesus Christ sitting on a throne holding a Book of Gospels in His left hand and raising His right hand in benediction. A circle of light, also known as a nimbus, surrounds His head. This is the case with the sample coin shown above.
The reverse of this ancient gold coin (on the concave surface) often features the emperor carrying a military standard and globe symbolizing world rule. With Greek lettering around the edges, these gold coins represent the unique mix of the ancient Byzantine Empire itself: Orthodox Christianity, Greek language and Roman law.
Minting Information
The most unusual aspect of these coins to the modern eye is definitely the c-shape design referred to as scyphate that makes them very difficult to photograph. No one is really sure why coins from this period were shaped this way, although some people believe it may have been due to the ease in which the coins can be stacked.
All gold Byzants were hand-struck on broad, thin planchets. Due to their age and minting technique, no two coins are exactly the same. Most of the gold Byzants offered by Goldline were minted in Constantinople, the wealthiest and possibly most civilized city of the Middle Ages, now know as Istanbul, Turkey.
Gold Byzant ancient coins were the most widely used piece in international commerce for both their standard weight and the role of the wealthy Byzantine Empire in world trade. The riches of the Byzantine Empire, (the Eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived for 1,000 years after the decline of the Western half) allowed it to pay for mercenary Mediterranean armies to defend its borders and buy off potential invaders.
Each of these historic gold coins comes in a beautiful presentation case and is available for $1,000 with free delivery and no sales tax.
