Bulgari
Vintage Monete Coin Bracelet in 18ct Yellow Gold
A vintage Monete coin bracelet by Bulgari, circa 1980. The bracelet is set with three ancient Roman coins depicting the emperors Marcus Julius Philippus, Marcus Antonius Gordianus and Herennius Etruscus, spaced between 18ct yellow gold curb links. Each coin is bordered by an 18ct yellow gold frame engraved with the emperor’s name and dates of reign: IMPERO ROMANO FILIPPO I PADRE 244-249 d.C, IMPERO ROMANO GORDIANO III 238-244 d.C, and IMPERO ROMANO HERENNIO ETRVSCO 251 d.C. The bracelet secures with a tongue and box clasp.
Information
Director’s Notes
The iconic Bulgari Monete collection was launched in the mid-1960s under the direction of Nicola Bulgari, himself a passionate coin collector. The pieces were immediately well received, and the collection quickly expanded, where they remain an enduring part of Bulgari’s design language to this day. While the practice of setting coins into jewellery dates back as far as the Roman Empire, it experienced a revival in popularity during the late 19th century. Bulgari’s interpretation is distinguished by a deep respect for the historic and cultural significance of the ancient coins used in their jewels. Referred to by the maison as Gemme Nummarie (coin gems), each coin is set with exceptional care to ensure their preservation. In every Monete jewel, the historical details of the coin are engraved into the mount, ensuring their provenance and significance are never lost. Deeply proud of its Roman heritage, Bulgari honours its cultural origins through the use of these ancient and classical coins. The Monete collection is therefore more than jewellery; each piece is a jewelled historical artefact.