Bulgari
Vintage Monete 18ct Yellow Gold Ring
A vintage Monete coin ring by Bulgari, circa 1968. The ring is set with an ancient Roman denarius coin in silver depicting the helmeted head of the goddess Roma in profile. The reverse of the coin depicts the goddess Victoria in a biga, a Roman two-horse chariot, and is bordered by an 18ct yellow gold frame engraved with TESTA DI ROMA ELMATA and VITTORIA IN BIGA. C. CATO 123 a.C. The coin is set to a tapered 18ct yellow gold mount with geometric fluted detailing.
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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.