ANCIENT ROMAN IMPERIAL SILVER DENARIUS OF MINERVA GODDESS OF WISDOM AND WAR COIN PENDANT

IN 14K YELLOW GOLD

88 A.D.

This stunning and extremely well detailed GENUINE ancient Roman silver denarius coin depicting the goddess MINERVA in full battle dress makes for a superb centerpiece of ancient coin jewelry.  This Roman coin was minted in 88 A.D. under the emperor Domitian which bears his profile (not shown) on the obverse of the coin in equally fine detail as the reverse which is shown here of Minerva.  The lustrous brightness of the genuine ancient pure silver coin wonderfully contrasts with the 14K polished yellow gold KEY design of the pendant.  This is superb collector quality ancient coin with artwork that is perfectly centered and high relief.  For both its beauty and meaning, this is an incredible wearable artifact.

Minerva was the goddess of war, wisdom and medicine.  As Minerva Medica she is the patroness of physicians.  Her symbol was the owl.  Her Greek name was Athene, with Athens being her city of divine residence.  Minerva is believed to be the inventor of numbers and musical instruments.  She is thought to be of Etruscan origin, as the goddess Menrva or Menerva.

Minerva was the product of a bizarre birth.  One day, Jupiter had a bad headache which was beyond any cure.  Out of desperation and frustration, Vulcan split open Jupiter's head.  Out sprang Minerva dressed in full battle armor carrying a shield and spear and with that, Jupiter's pain finally subsided.

Minerva was also the goddess of arts and crafts.  She was particularly good at weaving.  Once a woman called Arachne wove a beautiful tapestry.  In her jealousy, Minerva tried to find something wrong with it.  Arachne's weaving was perfect and Minerva could not find anything wrong with it so in her rage, she tore it up and turned Arachne into a spider.  To this day, the mysterious ability of the spider can be seen when it weaves its beautiful webs.

Gorgon Minerva helped the hero Perseus to kill the gorgon Medusa, who was a monster with snakes instead of hair. Anyone who looked at a gorgon turned to stone! But Minerva told Perseus to look at Medusa's reflection in a polished shield. That way he could cut the head off without looking directly at the gorgon. He gave the head to Minerva, who put it on her shield, so it would turn her enemies to stone.

Overall diameter is 27 mm, about the size between a U.S. quarter and 50 cent piece.  The coin itself is about the size of a U.S. penny.

CPR157     $995     COMES WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY / HISTORY SHEET

*** shown with optional CHAIN E, not included

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