Images

One of the simplest ways of displaying wealthiness was to wear it, as seen in this pendant made from a coin. The wealthier the wearer, the more elaborate the jewellery could be. An elaborate setting could be added to turn a gold coin into...

Roman gold coins were set into rings, to be worn. Decorative frames were added to turn others into brooches. The image of the emperor was believed to be a good luck charm, so it made sense to carry it around all the time. Brooch made from...

Silver coin of the Indo-Greek King Lysias Anicetus, reigned 130-120 BCE. The King wears an elephant head. From modern-day North-West India/Pakistan. (The British Museum, London).

Silver coin the Indo-Greek King Diomedes Soter, reigned 95-90 BCE. From modern-day North-West India/Pakistan. (The British Museum, London).

A wide-spread silver trade existed in the Mediterranean before coins were introduced. Silver coins continued to follow these routes, and mixed hoards of ingots and coins were buried across the Near East and Egypt between 550 to 475 BCE. These...

This sculpture shows Panchika, the Buddhist god of wealth, and Hariti, a mother goddess. The prosperity they bring is symbolized by the piles of money being poured from bags at their feet. Schist sculpture, from Gandhara, modern-day Pakistan...

Medallions with designs similar to coins could be worn as a symbol of allegiance, or given as prestigious gifts. They were specifically intended to be attractive, as display or presentation pieces. Bimetallic medallion of the Roman Emperor...

This monument commemorates the Cherusci chief Arminius and the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE when the Germanic tribes under Arminius annihilated three Roman legions led by Publius Quinctilius Varus.

The rebel Carausius (Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Valerius Carausius) declared himself emperor, making Britain his base. Although he had no authority in Rome, he stressed his Roman identity by citing the poet Virgil on his coins. He also used...

Roman gold coins were set into rings to be worn. Decorative frames were added to turn others into brooches. The image of the emperor was believed to be a good luck charm, so it made sense to carry it around all the time. Gold coin of Emperor...