This genuine Ancient Byzantine gold coin has
been mounted in a modern 18 Karat gold ring
Anastasius was born in Dyrrachium (modern
Durazzo, in Albania), on the Adriatic coast,
around 430 A.D. He was not prominent at the
court of Zeno, reaching the minor rank of
silentiary in the palace. His religious knowledge,
however, meant he was considered in 488 for
promotion to bishop of Antioch. After Zeno's
death, Anastasius was declared emperor April
11, 491. Anastasius was the choice of Ariadne,
Zeno's widow, and seems to have been a surprise
to the aristocracy. A month after his accession,
on May 20, 491, Anastasius married Ariadne but
the marriage produced no children. He was
buried with Ariadne in the Church of the Holy
Apostles in Constantinople. Anastasius was
nicknamed "Dicorus" (Two-Pupils), because of
his multi-colored eyes (one black, one blue). He
died July 8 or 10, 518 and was succeeded by
Justin I.
This stunning ring evokes the glory and beauty
of the early Christian era and its flowering. The
gold of the ring and the gold of the coin both
complement each other. Together, the two hues
merge into a lustrous splendor of precious metal.
This coin is a fitting memorial of Anastasius, the
man responsible for perfecting the Empire’s
monetary system and increasing its treasury.
There is an eternal splendor to this ring, a beauty
that radiates from within the coin and envelopes
the gold setting. To wear this ring is to evoke
the spirit of change. For although time changes
and the world evolves, true beauty and elegance
as defined by this ring are eternal and immune to
the fancies and whims of individual tastes.
- (FJ.6772)
|
