Byzantine (692-695) solidus Sear-1248

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Heritage sale 3035, lot 29472
Byzantium H3035-29472r.jpg

This specimen was lot 29472 in Heritage sale 3035 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $7,050. The catalog description[1] noted,

"Justinian II, first reign (AD 685-695). AV solidus (20 mm, 4.49 g, 6h axis). Constantinople, 9th officina, AD 692-695. IhS CRISΤDS RЄX RЄΣNANΤIЧM, facing half-length bust of Christ Pantocrator, raising right hand in gesture of benediction, book of Gospels cradled in left arm, cross behind / D IЧSTINI-AN-ЧS SERЧ CHRISΤI, full-length figure of Justinian standing facing, dressed in loros, holding cross potent on steps in right hand and akakia in left; Θ[CONOP] in exergue. Sear 1248. DOC 7g.1. MIB 8. NGC (photo-certificate) MS 5/5 - 5/5. From The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection. Ex Spink & Sons (London, November 1989), lot 97.

The portrait of Christ on the obverse of this solidus is the first numismatic representation of Jesus, and immediately followed the ruling of the Trullan Synod of AD 692 that Christ could be depicted in human form. Justinian II was ostentatiously devout and placing the divine image on his coinage was a reflection of this. The appearance of Christ on the Byzantine coinage also may have spurred the Caliph 'Abd al-Malik to decree that no images offensive to the Muslim faith should appear on coins struck or used by the Arabs, an edict of AH 74 / AD 693. This first numismatic portrait of Christ is remarkably naturalistic and lifelike, and was likely based on the mosaic image of Christ in the apse of the Great Palace of Constantinople, which was itself influenced by Hellenistic depictions of Zeus."

Source:

  • [1]Michaels, David, Cristiano Bierrenbach and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Signature Auction 3035: Ancient Coins, Featuring the Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern and the Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.

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