BYZANTINE PENDANT

A uniface copper-alloy disc, probably representing an insert from an Early-Medieval pendant.The decorated surface of this disc is a direct copy of the reverse design on a gold histamenon of Byzantine empress Theodora (1055-1056) and is also the same diameter as the original coin. On the left of the design is the standing figure of Theodora and on the right is the Virgin Mary, both facing forwards. The empress wears a crown, saccos and loros, whilst the Virgin is nimbate and clad in pallium and maphorium. Between the two figures, and held by both, is a labarum. The legend reads: + ΘεΟΔωΡΑ ΑVΓΟVCTA ('Theodora Augusta'), with [M - Θ] flanking the Virgin's shoulders (description from Sear 1974: p. 311, no. 1837). A double beaded border extends around the circumference.Diameter: 20.8mm; thickness: 0.5mm. Weight: 0.88g.Byzantine coins and related objects are occasionally found in Britain. The use of designs from Byzantine coins is a common feature of bracteate pendants produced in the 5th to 7th centuries (see, for example, PAS record NLM-211E22). This object differs from the majority of bracteates, however, in that it employs copper-alloy rather than precious metal; in addition, unlike