I want to be on the Coins!

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This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.

Have you imagine what it will be like to be on your towns coins or bills? Every body will know you! But sadly it is not an award for the one everybody can fight over. The image of our coins and bills are part of our history, they are not just random people, they represent, the symbolize, it is not abstract art. On the earliest Byzantine Empire a relative motto of them that said, “One God, One Empire, One Religion” take an important place on this exhibition because, the relation and influence of religion toward the empire and it economics is a mayor topic here. A big percentage of Human lives is influence by religion. Religion may sometimes take us down and others rises us, but it gives us confidence, thats why is always precent. The Byzantines were orthodox, Christianity was a big part of them society, them dally activities, thoughts, rituals, parties, and others aspects of them life, on those all, the precense of religion was almost tangible. On the VII century Muslims start taking over the Byzantines and Islam turn out to become the religion of some towns. But eve though mMuslim is a RELIGION that was also precent on this community.This empire had three main religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. This is what ancient Byzantine coins had on them faces, symbolism of religion and faith.

Justinian I, solidus, Unknown, 0527/0565, From the collection of: Numismatic Museum

Justinian I was the last byzantine emperor that had latin as his first language. He was an orthodox man who lost his friendship with the Roman Bishops because of his obsession with Monophysitism, a path of Christianity that believes Jesus had a divine origin and was not human. He appears on Roman coins because his title of emperor, but all other elements of his picture represent Christianity, symbolize his effects over Byzantines religion and doctrine.

Justinian I, consular solidus, Unknown, 0527, From the collection of: Numismatic Museum

Justinian I was the last byzantine emperor that had Latin as his first language. His was an orthodox man who lost his friendship with the Roman Bishops because of his obsession with Monophysitism, a path of Christianity that believes of Jesus to had a divine origin only. He appears on Roman coins because his title of emperor, but all other elements like the cruses and the angels of his picture represents Christianity, symbolize his effects over Byzantines religion and doctrine.

Justinian I, follis, Unknown, 0538/0539, From the collection of: Numismatic Museum

Justinian I was the last byzantine emperor that had Latin as his first language. His was an orthodox man who lost his friendship with the Roman Bishops because of his obsession with Monophysitism, a path of Christianity that believes of Jesus to had a divine origin and was not human. The M on the right side of the coin may mean or relate with Monophysitism that still relates to Christianity by the cruses and with religion.

Justin II, solidus, Unknown, 0565/0578, From the collection of: Numismatic Museum

Justin II was the nephew of Justin I. His years as emperor were dark days for the Monotheistic people. He started an unpopular persecution against this type of believers, monotheistic people were publicly humiliated and tortured. He appears on this coin as a powerful man, as an emperor who did not pardon. In the coin besides his figure are some christian symbols that represent his believes.

Justinian II, solidus, Unknown, 0692/0695, From the collection of: Numismatic Museum

Justinian the II was the nephew of Justin I, he as his uncle had an obsesion that become in to chatastrophy for the monotheistic people of Rome. On this coin jesus and symbolic figures of christian religion are ilustrated representing the emperors belive and incfluence on society. All Justin family did not accept a diferent doctrin of thhe one they belife and followed, so this lend the empire to lost most of it territory that now at days we know as Italy.

Medallion with Jewish symbols, Byzantine Empire, 3rd-6th century, Unknown, 3rd century - 6th century, From the collection of: The Jewish Museum, London

This Jewish symbol is of the Menorah (temple)located in Jerusalem. This is described as the seven- lamp. The ancient Hebrews used it for a portable sanctuary. Moses started this ceremony with a Menorah of pure gold. Ancient and today world Hebrews believe and think it is a very important symbol, just as the Menorah, they treasure it and value it very much, this is the way its figure is on this ancient medallion.

Byzantine Empire, lead seal, Unknown, 0600/0700, From the collection of: Numismatic Museum

This coin is similar to the others. It has different symbols that represent the byzantine empire at that time. On this coin the symbols aren't clear. But i can tell by the time it was done that it represents a religion, Jewish or Christianity, either of both. As it is notable this empire was one of the most powerful of the 600 AD, their economics were successful and their religion was represented on all of their political and social moves.

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This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.

The Jewish Museum, London

Numismatic Museum