Work of Art DetailsBelt Section with Medallions of Constantius II and Faustina Description: Imperial medallions, such as this one of Constantius II (reigned 350-361), were often mounted by their recipients to boast of their highly favored status in society. This stunning example, minted in Nicomedia (Asia Minor), represents on the reverse the triumphant emperor in his chariot. Smaller coins were also mounted as jewelry, like the smaller aureus honoring Galeria Faustina (died 140/141), wife of Antoninus Pius. Other mounted coins, separated by lengths of chain, would have completed this section of either a belt or a necklace. Artist: Anonymous (Byzantine) Inscriptions & Markings: [Transcription] Inscribed on small medallion of Faustina I, obverse of coin: DIVA FAVSTINA; [Translation] Divine Faustina; [Transcription] Inscribed on reverse of coin: AVGVSTA; [Translation] Augusta; [Transcription] Inscribed on large medallion of Constantius II, obverse of coin: D(ominus) N(oster) CONSTANTIVS MAX(imus) AVGVSTVS; [Translation] Our Lord Constantius Great Augustus; [Transcription] Inscribed on large medallion of Constantius II, reverse of coin: D(ominus) N(oster) CONSTANTIVS P(ius) F(elix) AVGVSTVS; [Translation] Inscribed on large medallion of Constantius II, reverse of coin: Our Lord Constantius Pius and Fortunate Augustus Culture: Byzantine Period: Late Antique Country: Turkey Provenance: Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1931, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest. Credit Line: Acquired by Henry Walters, 1931 |
