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Girdle with Coins and Medallions

ca. 583, reassembled after discovery
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 301
This incomplete, massive gold girdle composed of a series of solidi (gold coins) and medallions may have been worn as an insignia of office. The four medallions depicting the emperor Maurice Tiberius (r. 582–602) probably were minted for him to present as gifts to high officials and nobles when he assumed the office of consul in 583. All the coins are stamped CONOB (Constantinopolis obryzum, i.e., pure gold of Constantinople), indicating that they were minted in the capital city. Joined with nine coins of Maurice Tiberius on the girdle is one of Theodosius II (r. 402–50) and four of the brief joint rule of Justin I and Justinian in 527.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Girdle with Coins and Medallions
  • Date: ca. 583, reassembled after discovery
  • Culture: Byzantine
  • Medium: Settings: gold - sheet: wire - beaded. Coins: gold - stamped.
  • Dimensions: Overall: 26 9/16 x 2 3/16 x 1/4 in. (67.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 cm) Wt: 348g
    diameter of 9 small medallions: 1 x 1/8 in. (2.5 x 0.3 cm)
    diameter of 4 medium size medallions: 1 3/16 x 3/16 in. (3 x 0.5 cm)
    diameter of 4 large medallions: 2 3/16 x 1/4 in. (5.5 x 0.6 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Gold
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917; Purchase, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Stephen K. Scher and Mrs. Maxime L. Hermanos Gifts, Rogers Fund, and funds from various donors, 1991
  • Object Number: 17.190.147; 1991.136
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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