Images

These four British Iron age coins and 11 Roman coins were probably lost or buried in the early years of the Claudian invasion of Britain, around 43-45 CE. They might represent a purse of a Roman soldier of the Second Legion Augusta which...

This statue of the goddess of prosperity shows her seated on a lotus and a lion. She holds a lotus bud in her right hand and the pot of abundance in her left. These symbols of prosperity derive from the horn of plenty (cornucopia) carried...

Byzantine coins often show Christian symbols and an image of the Emperor. Here, Emperor Heraclius and his sons wear crowns and crosses. A cross also appear on the back. Gold solidus coins, minted in Constantinople, issued by the Byzantine...

Silver coin of the Indo-Greek King Archebius Dikaios Nikephoros, reigned 90-80 BCE. From modern-day North-West India/Pakistan. (The British Museum, London).

In the Persian Empire, some regional governors (satraps) were authorized to issue coins for military purposes. They combine Persian and Greek imagery, showing a strap's head and a local reverse image. These are some of the earliest coin portraits...

Gold crown ornaments from the Baekje kingdom of ancient Korea. From the tomb of King Muryeong (r. 501-523 BCE), near Gongju. National Treasure No. 155. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul)

This coin depicts Vadfradad I, king of Persis (Fars) in Southern Iran, who can be identified on both sided of the coin by his special headgear. On the back, a figure holds up a royal headband (diadem) as a symbol of kingship behind the ruler...

These silver coins show the Sassanian "King of Kings" Bahram II (reigned 276-293 CE). He wears a winged crown to symbolize Verethragna, god of victory. On the back (lower image), the king stands to the left of a Zoroastrian fire altar. Each...

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. Copper alloy medallion of Septimius Severus...

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...