GOD JANUS Genuine Ancient Roman Coin 2nd cent. BC Silver Ring

This sterling silver ring showcases an authentic Roman coin from the 2nd century B.C., featuring the two-faced God Janus. On the reverse side of the coin is an image of Rome standing tall, erecting a trophy.

In ancient Roman beliefs, Janus held sway over beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and endings. As the deity overseeing the commencement and conclusion of conflicts, Janus symbolized both war and peace. The gates of a structure in Rome bearing his name (not a temple, despite common belief, but an open enclosure with gates at each end) would open during times of war and close to mark the arrival of peace, an occurrence rare in those times. Beyond conflict, Janus was associated with birth, journeys, commerce, travel, trade, and shipping due to his role in transitions.

Janus, depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions, stood as one of the oldest revered divinities among the ancient Latins and Romans. His dual countenances, gazing into the past and future concurrently, embodied moments of transition and the cyclical nature of seasons. Known as "deorum deus," the god of gods, and "Ianus pater," Janus the Father, he was raised in a temple by Quirinus or Romulus following the victory over the Sabines, according to legend.

In Roman mythology, the two-faced Janus also serves as the ancient God and King of Latium. He is a generous and benevolent deity, imparting civilization to the indigenous peoples and establishing a city on the Gianicolo. Additionally, Janus is the father of Tiberinus, the god of the Tiber, born from his relationship with the nymph Camese.

Moreover, Janus played a crucial role in welcoming Saturn into Latium after Saturn was dethroned as the "father of the gods" by his son Jupiter. According to ancient Roman legends, Saturn, upon arriving in Latium with Janus' permission, became the region's king, marking the commencement of Latium's golden age.

Our jewelry store, Serra Roma, proudly presents an exquisite collection that beautifully honors the ancient traditions of Greek and Roman civilizations. Each piece in our collection, including authentic ancient Roman and Greek coins and intaglios, is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, providing proof of its historical significance and origin.