Byzantine Christ Portrait in Silver 18k Gold Coin Pendant protection

protection

The radiate portrait presents Augustus not as a living ruler

this large bronze dupondius features a remarkable reverse: an armored elephant walking left

Though tiny (see quarter for scale)

Byzantine Christ Portrait in Silver 18k Gold Coin Pendant protectionThis pendant features a large and beautifully preserved Byzantine bronze follis, struck in Constantinople during the reign of Michael IV the Paphlagonian (AD 10341041). The obverse shows Christ Antiphonetes, the Merciful Judge, his right hand raised in blessing and his left holding the book of gospels. A cross nimbus radiates behind his head, an unmistakable mark of divine authority. The reverse bears a jeweled cross flanked by the sacred inscription