Bvlgari 1970 Vintage Monete Necklace In 18Kt Gold With Five Ancient Coins
A rare Monete necklace designed by Bvlgari.
An iconic and popular piece created in Rome, Italy by the jewelry house of Bvlgari, back in the 1970's. This rare Monete necklace has been crafted, with classic Greek-revival patterns in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. It is composed by intricate geometric links, with the mountings element holding five genuine ancient Greek coin. It is suited with a double push lock.
The coins are rare and genuine silver Drachms from the Bactrian Greek kingdom. Four (4) of them are struck in the name of the king Eucratides, made between the 171 and 135 BC. and one (1) struck in the name of king Antimachos, made in the 190 BC.
Obverse description: The king portrait with a Bactrian hat facing to the right in a plain campus.
Reverse description: Quadriform figures of standing god, with the name of the kings in greek letters.
Weight: 98 Grams (62.83 Dwt).
Measures: 16 Inches (40.64 Cm).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the Italian mark for the assay of the gold, the coins origin description and signed in full, "BVLGARI ROMA *1AR .750".
Numismatist literature: Similar to, Bopearachchi 2B; HGC 12, BMC 109.
Note: Drachma, is a silver coin of ancient Greece, dating from about the mid-6th century BC, and the former monetary unit of modern Greece. The drachma was one of the world’s earliest coins. Its name derives from the Greek verb meaning “to grasp,” and its original value was equivalent to that of a handful of arrows. The early drachma had different weights in different regions. From the 5th century BC, Athens gained commercial preeminence, and the Athenian drachma became the foremost currency. One drachma equaled 6 oboli; 100 drachmas equaled 1 mine; and 60 mine equaled 1 Attic talent.
Bvlgari, was founded in the late 19th century by Sotirio Bulgari, who was born in 1857 in Greece and was descended from a talented family of silversmiths. In 1884 he opened his first shop in Rome on the Via Sistina, and then in 1905 he moved to the actual flag's store in Via dei Condotti. Upon Sotirio’s death in 1932 his sons, Giorgio and Costantino, took over the business. They are credited with creating the highly distinctive ‘Bvlgari’ style, inspired by Greek and Roman classicism revival, the Italian Renaissance, and the 19th century Roman school of goldsmiths. The 1970s marked the beginning of Bulgari’s international expansion with the opening of stores in New York (the first overseas), Paris, Geneva and Monte Carlo.
Monete Jewels by Bulgari
The practice of mounting coins for wear as jewelry has a long history dating back to ancient Roman times. Coins were not only minted as a unit of value for transactions, but the images appearing on them could be symbols of power, sometimes talismanic, and could represent alliances between countries. Nicola Bulgari, grandson of the founder of the firm, who developed an interest in coin collecting, can be credited as the “influencer” who was responsible for the launch of Bulgari’s modern tradition of mounting ancient coins in the mid-1960s. The use of ancient Greek and Roman coins also forged a firm connection with Bulgari’s proud Hellenic and Roman cultural heritage. Coins used in Bulgari jewels date from the 5th century B.C. to the 20th century A.D., depending in part on what is available in the market. Each coin has been thoroughly researched and the reverse of each mounting is inscribed with the name of the individual or region featured and the year of issue, inscribed in Roman font. Coins with irregular contours are mounted in such a way that the integrity of the coin is uncompromised; the mounting follows the shape of the coin so not to diminish its numismatic value. The scholarly aspect of Bulgari’s “Gemme Nummarie” (coin gems, derived from Latin), sets them above all imitators. Also referred to as simply “Monete” (coins, in Italian), Bulgari coin jewels can bestow status upon the wearer and be the source of stimulating intellectual conversation, but most importantly they show great respect for tradition while successfully linking antiquity with the present. (From Sotheby's with thanks).
It is in great condition and the coins are collectable numismatist interest, with beautiful portraits in high relief, well centered strike and with great aged patina.
Condition: The overall condition of this necklace is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. The coins are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: N060723AANNM/2.355
