Coptic Cross, Egypt, circa 1650

The Coptic Church derives its teachings based on the Gospel of St. Mark who brought Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero in the 1st Century A.D. By the middle of the 4th Century, the Coptic Church was well organized in Egypt and split from mainstream Christendom in 451 A.D. Hand crosses such as this were made by monks from melted down coin silver that were alloyed with nickel for durability. These crosses were carried by leaders of the Coptic Church in procession and used in various religious rites.