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Belt Section with Medallions of Constantius II and Faustina

Byzantinelate 4th century (Late Antique)

The Walters Art Museum

The Walters Art Museum
Baltimore, United States

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 Faustina the Elder (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.

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  • Title: Belt Section with Medallions of Constantius II and Faustina
  • Creator: Byzantine
  • Date Created: late 4th century (Late Antique)
  • Location Created: Turkey (Nicomedia)
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall H: 6 x W: 7 5/8 in. (15.2 x 19.4 cm); Constantine Medallion Diam: 3 3/16 x D: 5/16 in. (8.1 x 0.8 cm); Faustina Medallion H: 1 3/8 x D: 1/4 in. (3.5 x 0.7 cm)
  • Type: Gold, Silver & Jewelry
  • External Link: https://art.thewalters.org/detail/27951
  • Medium: openwork gold with semiprecious stones
  • Accession Number: 57.527
The Walters Art Museum

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