Hello, I have family who are part of the Greek Orthodox church, and I was wondering if anyone had any insight into what ancient coins are connected with their church the most, that I could get for a (not too pricey) gift? Thanks!
Hi @SharkbaitLucky, Being a Greek myself, the first thing that comes to mind with religious connections is a Helena LRB, given that she was made a saint and is credited with locating the ‘true cross’. You could add a Constantine to make a set of another Orthodox saint. - Broucheion
...As the eastern Orthodox equivalent of goyim, please allow me to be the one in the room with the nerve to suggest one of the anonymous folles, c. later 10th -earlier 11th century. There's some serious theology on the reverse legend. If they're (sorry for this) 'observant,' they'll get it. ...By way of other, unnecessary context, I was one of those people who grew up looking down my nose at Eugene Ormandy, but this time he nailed it.
I agree. The Byzantine anonymous follis is a good choice. https://coinweek.com/coins/coin-pro...nonymous-follis-coinweek-ancient-coin-series/
I am an Orthodox as well, and as what the others have already mentioned, there are plenty of economical choices for such a gift. Helena and Constantine is a fine idea, but if you want something bigger in size you can't go wrong with the anonymous follis series. You can get impressive coins with obvious Christian imagery for less than £100 even if you shop retail. Here is a couple of very recent examples of mine:
Basically all Roman coins. But, if you want to get specific, collect from Constantine onwards. If you want Orthodox icons and symbols collect from the mid to late Byzantine period. Anonymous Folles could be what you're looking for. Remember at those time, there were fewer schisms, and the whole Empire was the Orthodox Church. So you can afford to broaden your horizons. Even coins of the tetrarchy, who were responsible for some persecution and execution of some well known saints, is a good place to go to collect.
Orthodox here myself. There are a lot of coins with Christian symbols, starting with Constantine the Great, quite a lot with Chi-Rho symbols. But as Caesar_Augustus advised, the Great Schism was in 1054 so only after this we can speak about a break-up between Catholic and Orthodox churches. So you would "need" to stick to Byzantine coins.
I have a couple Romaion / Byzantine Christ coins: RO Andronicus II - Michael IX AD 1295-1320 AR Basilikon 22mm 2.1g Constantinople Christ enthroned labarum DOC V 1 Class VIII RO Manuel I Comnenus 1143-1180 CE Aspron Trachy 35mm 4g Christ Gospels Labaran globus cruciger Virgin maphorium SB 1966 scyphate
The Jesus facing coins are quite nice for their symbology as they hearken back to icons in appearance. I have two of them.
Wow, great stuff guy's. I'm excited to not only get a great gift for my Mom (she's an iconographer), but to also learn a LOT more about ancient coins/history in the meantime. Love it, thanks!
I know that some of the Emperors are saints in the Church, like Justinian the Great. Large issues of his reformed coins are readily available. It's quite nice to hold a piece of history from when the Roman Empire was finally getting the upper hand once more as a super power and liberating territory conquered by barbaric tribes only a hundred years prior. During this time period, there's a lot of Orthodox symbolism used on coins. Justinian the Great AE Follis 540 - 541 A.D., Nicomedia Mint, 1st Officina 23.31g, 39.0mm, 6H Obverse: D N IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing, holding globus cruciger and shield decorated with horseman motif; cross to right Reverse: -, Large M; A/N/N/O - X/II/II (R.Y. 14) across field, cross above, A below Exergue: NIKO Provenance: Ex. Numismatik Naumann Auction 60 Lot 593 Reference: SBCV 201
...coins would be a kool gift....or perhaps something along these lines ...you could pick up an 'old believers' cross fairly reasonable(17th-18th century Rus)..
If she is an iconographer then there is no question that she will love the Jesus Christ follis. One important thing though... Where is your mother based? If she is living in Greece you will have to keep the receipt always together with the coin and as soon as she gets it, she will need to go to the nearest archaeological authority to get it registered. Otherwise she could get in trouble. Look it up. Greece has very strict laws regarding ownership of anything ancient.
I would start with the name of the recipient's local congregation. If she attends a church named for a saint that is shown on a coin (George, Constantine, Helena) the choice becomes easy.
In America, I didn't know that about owning ancient items in Greece! And I'll look into the name of her church for sure, totally overlooked that. So many Follis out there. Thanks again for every single reply! I'm set on a coin for Christmas, but something like that cross would be neat down the road!
