As I write this I openly wear one of these (as I do daily) - a solid-gold Histamenon noumisma "solidus", minted in Constantinople c. 969 AD, which I had fashioned by a professional jeweler into a medallion.
This jeweler is a master of his craft: he and I designed the piece to be mounted non-destructively and as it is recessed into the mounting, it may be worn in a way that sustains no abrasive damage to the piece itself.
It pictures and icon of Christ on the obverse and portraits of Nicephorus II and Basil I on the reverse. I mounted it to display the Icon.
Warner's history notes Nicephorus's accomplishments:
0961- Under the command of general Nicephorus Phokas, the Byzantines recapture Crete from Muslim rebels who had earlier fled Cordova.
0965 -Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Phokas reconquers Cyprus from the Muslims.
0969 -Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus II Phocas reconquers Antioch (modern Antakya, capital of the province Hatay) from the Arabs.
I have a greater appreciation for the emperor today.
FReegards!
