A contorniate, or contourniate, is a type of ancient Roman medal or medallion of bronze issued in the fourth and fifth centuries CE, having a deep furrow on the contour or edge, as if the object had been turned in a lathe.
An ancient Roman bronze medal, known as a contorniate, was produced between the fourth and fifth centuries CE. It features a distinctive deep furrow along its edges, resembling an object that has been shaped on a lathe.