Rare Silver Assyrian Medal 1997 – Saints Sergius and Bacchus, 1700th Anniversary of Martyrdom, 297–1997 AD

Description

Rare Syrian Silver Commemorative Medal 1997 – Saints Sergius and Bacchus, 1700th Anniversary of Martyrdom, 297–1997 AD

House of Emirates® in London is immensely proud to offer its elite clientele this exceptional and historically significant silver commemorative medal, issued in Syria in 1997 to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the martyrdom of two revered early Christian soldier-saints, commonly identified in the Middle East as Saints Sergius and Bacchus.

Struck in silver and distinguished by its detailed Eastern Christian iconography and Arabic inscriptions, this remarkable medal commemorates a profound chapter in the history of Christianity in the ancient Near East. With a weight of 18 grams and a diameter of 35 mm, it represents a fascinating intersection of religious heritage, Syrian commemorative history, numismatic artistry, and Middle Eastern Christian identity.

Of particular significance, one other known example is reported to exist in the British Museum, a detail that underscores the importance of documenting the provenance, rarity, and institutional references associated with this unusual issue.

The obverse presents two haloed horsemen carrying spears, portrayed in a distinctive Eastern Christian artistic tradition. Their military attributes and sacred halos evoke the enduring devotion to Saints Sergius and Bacchus, Christian soldier-martyrs whose veneration spread throughout the Byzantine world and the wider Middle East. Arabic inscriptions encircle the composition, commemorating 1,700 years since the martyrdom of the two saints, with the dates 297–1997 AD prominently displayed along the lower edge.

The reverse depicts an architectural representation of a church crowned by a cross, surrounded by Arabic lettering that connects the medal to the Christian communities and religious traditions of the region. The carefully modelled architectural details, raised lettering, decorative borders, and expressive figures give the medal a distinctive visual character. Together, the two faces communicate a powerful commemorative message: the remembrance of religious sacrifice, the continuity of Christian worship, and the preservation of ancient spiritual traditions within the cultural landscape of Syria.

Issued in 1997, this Syrian silver medal offers a tangible connection to the long history of Christianity in the Levant, where churches, monasteries, pilgrimage sites, and traditions of saintly veneration have endured across centuries of political and cultural change. Saints Sergius and Bacchus hold an important place in early Christian tradition, particularly among Eastern Christian communities, and their commemoration reflects the lasting significance of martyrdom in Christian religious memory.

Unlike an ordinary circulating coin, this medal was created to preserve a specific historical and devotional occasion, making it relevant to investors and enthusiasts interested in religious medals, Syrian numismatics, Christian commemorative silver, Byzantine cultural heritage, Arabic-inscribed medals, and historical artefacts of the Middle East. Its combination of silver composition, substantial 35 mm format, detailed iconography, and reported rarity makes it a compelling subject for specialist numismatic research and historical documentation.

The reported British Museum comparison is especially noteworthy.

For those seeking an unusual piece of modern Middle Eastern religious history, this medal embodies the enduring relationship between faith, memory, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage.

Specifications

• Object: Syrian commemorative silver medal
• Date of issue: 1997 AD
• Commemorated anniversary: 1,700 years since the traditional date of martyrdom
• Commemorative dates: 297–1997 AD
• Religious figures: Saints Sergius and Bacchus, as commonly identified
• Metal: Silver
• Weight: 18 g
• Diameter: 35 mm
• Obverse: Two haloed horsemen carrying spears, with Arabic commemorative inscriptions
• Reverse: Church building crowned by a cross, surrounded by Arabic inscriptions
• Reported institutional comparison: One other known example in the British Museum

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