Antique Ethiopian Christian Cross Pendant Cut Maria Theresa Thaler Silver Coin

Description

This is a very rare antique Ethiopian Coptic Christian cross pendant which was cut from a Maria Theresa Thaler silver coin and which was handmade into a cross pendant by Ethiopian metalsmiths. This medallion was made in Africa long ago and comes from Ethiopia. This antique cross is in great rustic condition with wear to the bail from being worn on a necklace and as this piece was tribally made and worn could of course have minor flaws or wear. This antique Christian cross measures 2.42 inches long (including the bail) by 1.33 inches wide and is very desirable and would look great used in jewelry applications or would fit right into your Ethiopian collection.
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Hardly any silver was mined in Ethiopia therefore the Maria Theresa Thaler silver coin served as the primary source of silver used by Ethiopian metalsmiths to create articles of jewelry such as this antique Ethiopian Coptic Christian neck cross. The different designs of Ethiopian cross pendants represent towns or areas of the Ethiopian highlands. These antique silver crosses are either cast by the lost wax method using melted Maria Theresa Thaler coins or cut right from a Maria Theresa Thaler coin. These antique Ethiopian Coptic crosses were worn a lifetime and passed down through generations and were often repaired by the metalsmiths when needed.