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| Byzantine Pilgrim Token. Type D / Commemorating Restoration of the True Cross to Jerusalem |
$465.00 |
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Attribution: Mitchiner Medieval Pilgrim & Secular badges 1070
Date: Circa AD 625
Obverse: Clay token stamped with emblem of cross and figures of apostles Peter and Paul to each side
Reverse: Blank
Size: 16.19mm
Weight: 1.31 grams
Rarity:  6
Description: Very Rare. See the following 10 examples: 1) CNG Electronic Auction 548 (18 October 2023), lot 744 ($425 plus 20% buyers fee); 2) CNG Keystone 11 (3 March 2023), lot 269 ($350 plus 22.5% buyers fee); 3) CNG Keystone 11 (3 March 2023), lot 268 ($500 plus 22.5% buyers fee); 4) CNG Electronic Auction 528 (30 November 2022), lot 891 ($275 plus 20% buyers fee); 5) CNG Electronic Auction 526 (2 November 2022), lot 940 ($275 plus 20% buyers fee); 6) CNG Electronic Auction 526 (2 November 2022), lot 939 ($350 plus 20% buyers fee); 7) CNG Electronic Auction 521 (3 August 2022), lot 701 ($900 plus 20% buyers fee); 8) CNG Electronic Auction 504 (17 November 2021), lot 491 ($375 plus 18% buyers fee); 9) CNG Electronic Auction 490 (21 April 2021), lot 587 ($375 plus 18% buyers fee); 10) CNG Electronic Auction 483 (6 January 2021), lot 587 ($450 plus 18% buyers fee).
According to tradition, Byzantine ruler Heraclius recaptured the "true cross" along with other relics from Sassanian King Khusro II who had taken it as part of the spoils of war when he sacked the holy city of Jerusalem. Supposedly, a small piece of this "true cross" on which Jesus was crucified was burned and the ashes were mixed with the clay used to produce these pilgrimage tokens which commemorate the safe return of the cross to Jerusalem. These have become increasingly hard to find and are very popular. Click here to see the page in Michael Mitchiner's book Medieval Pilgrim & Secular badges.
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