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Without a doubt, this trio is one of a kind in all the world. Each of the three ancient coins dates from the blink-your-eyes-and-you'll-miss-it reign of Emperor Constantius Chlorus (in the years 305-306). For their crisply detailed condition, as well as rarity, they're very special finds -- and have been treated to handcrafted settings worthy of them, adorned with fiery blue opal cabochons. The pendant, 1 3/4" tall, has two large and 8 small opals, and each earring is 1 1/4" tall (not counting hooks) with 10 small opals.
The coins - hand-hammered originals, as there were no minting machines in those days - feature the emperor's head in profile and, on the reverse, two soldiers with battle standards. The Latin inscription GLORI-IA EXERC-ITUS can be read almost fully (meaning "Glory to the Army"). It's even possible to read the mint mark SMTS at the soldiers' feet - which confirms production at the Thessalonica mint near modern-day Salonika, Greece. The coins were recovered in Thrace on the Balkan Peninsula, where a dig near the present town of Philippi recently yielded riches. It was an ancient battlefield, beside which soldiers buried their money before combat, after which many weren't alive to recover it.
Despite his short stint as Emperor, Constantius Chlorus had a long and spectacular career - climbing the military ranks to become Maximilian's Praetorian Prefect and his Caesar under Diocletian's Tetrarchy scheme. He was then assigned to win back Britain and did. He died in Britain 10 years later, having come to aid his son Constantine (yes, *that* Constantine) against a Pict invasion. His wife, Helena, became the first saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, after her son, Constantine the Great, made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
As you may know, coin jewelry was widely worn by Romans of this era -- both by warriors who participated in the battle commemorated by the coin (rather like our Super Bowl jewelry) and by others hoping to flatter the person on the coin. When you wear a set like this, you're definitely within an ancient tradition.
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