Taylor Swift’s Ancient Coin Jewelry: Unraveling the Symbolic Meanings!

As per tradition, the upcoming Super Bowl will commence with a coin toss on the field, and it’s a good chance that in the stands, Taylor Swift might be showcasing a coin-themed accessory of her own.

In recent months, the Grammy-winning artist, now also known as a WAG, has been spotted accessorizing her game-day and casual outfits with jewelry made from old coins; some are genuine antiques while others are contemporary replicas.

For instance, at the season opener for the Kansas City Chiefs on September 5, Swift sported a 1970s-era necklace from For Future Reference, featuring a denim corset paired with cutoffs. This piece, part of an exclusive selection for Bergdorf Goodman, is priced at $12,750.

“The bronze coin on this necklace depicts Philip I, who ruled the Roman Empire from 224-249 AD,” said Randi Molofsky, founder of For Future Reference, describing the unique item to Page Six Style.

The date also coincided with the launch of Pepsi’s “Gladiator” campaign, starring Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce. The vintage piece might have been Swift’s way of dropping one of her famous Easter eggs.

This was not a singular instance for Swift; she donned the same valued necklace for other fall events in New York City and has since incorporated several other coin-themed pieces into her collection, including a Ben-Amun Giovanni necklace and a Luigi bracelet.

Spencer Miller, an ancient coin enthusiast turned dealer at Miller Ancients, explained to Page Six Style that the necklace features “a modern replica silver denarius of Roman Emperor Hadrian,” who reigned from 117 to 138 AD.

“Hadrian was a respected and able emperor who saw himself as a great classical philosopher and extensively traveled his empire,” Miller noted. He also mentioned, “Hadrian was openly bisexual and had a long-standing relationship with his male lover, Antinous, who met a tragic death under mysterious circumstances during a Nile cruise.”

Miller added that the replica coin in the Ben-Amun bracelet is modeled after those created by ancient Greek silversmiths in Syracuse around 300 BC, showing “the helmeted head of goddess Athena and the flying Pegasus on the opposite side.”

Swift might be drawn to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, or to Pegasus, a symbol of freedom and divine inspiration. Most recently, at the AFC Championship game on a Sunday night, Swift chose a silver pendant by Steven Battelle.

“The pendant bears the image of the goddess Roma,” Battelle informed Page Six Style. “Roma was revered as a protector of the city’s people and a robust defender of Rome in battles.” The reverse side of the authentic ancient coin, minted in 109-108 BC during the Roman Republic, portrays Victoria, the winged Roman goddess of victory.

“Wearing an ancient coin piece suggests not only an appreciation for the beauty of these old images but also a respect for the continuum of history and our place within it,” Battelle remarked.

The Captivating Rhiannon Necklace

Although many of Swift’s coin-themed accessories can be quite pricey, some are more affordable; for example, she’s often seen wearing pieces from Awe Inspired, like the Rhiannon necklace.

“Rhiannon is a goddess associated with rebirth, creation, and the essence of femininity. Known for her beauty, generosity, and intelligence, she is usually depicted as a beautiful young woman in gold, riding a light-colored horse and surrounded by birds, symbolizing her magical and otherworldly presence,” said Max Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Awe Inspired, to Page Six Style.

The necklace’s design, featuring Rhiannon and her horse, is a nod to her elegance and power, embodying the empowerment, individuality, and personal journey she represents. Johnson added that the necklace was inspired by the Fleetwood Mac song “Rhiannon,” which Swift performed with Stevie Nicks at the 2010 Grammys.

While it’s not certain if Swift selects her jewelry featuring specific deities and rulers to communicate with her fans, it’s plausible given her known fascination with history. Johnson noted, “Taylor is a genius at symbolism, and her knack for embedding Easter eggs for her fans in everything from her songs to her style showcases her deep bond with them. Jewelry inspired by ancient coins carries a legacy of storytelling and significance, making it a fitting choice for her.”

“With Taylor, these jewelry pieces might hint at themes of endurance, authority, or possibly connections to myths or historical periods that might inspire her upcoming work. This is what makes her so intriguing—every detail is deliberate, like a piece of a puzzle waiting to be solved,” Johnson concluded.