Byzantine (705-706) solidus Sear-1413
This specimen was lot 29492 in Heritage sale 3035 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $3,818.75. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Justinian II Rhinotmetus, second reign (AD 705-711). AV solidus (20 mm, 4.37 g, 6h axis). Constantinople, AD 705-706. ? N I?S C?S RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, facing bust of Christ Pantocrator, with slight beard and tight, curly hair, holding up right hand in gesture of benediction and holding book of gospels cradled in left arm; cross behind / ? I N IЧS-TINIA-NVS MЧLTЧS AN', crowned facing bust of Justinian, wearing loros, holding in right hand cross potent set on three steps, and in left globus cruciger inscribed PAX. Sear 1413. DOC 1. MIB 1. NGC (photo-certificate) MS 4/5 - 4/5, clipped. From The Andre Constantine Dimitriadis Collection. Ex Sotheby's (Zürich, 26-27 October 1993), lot 1878.
Upon his return to power, Justinian II immediately resumed his innovative coinage featuring an obverse portrait of Christ. The new sacred image, however, was distinctly different from the 'classic' Christ of Justinian's first reign. Jesus is shown in a seemingly more youthful guise, with a head of tight, curly hair and a close-cropped beard, in place of the long tresses and medium-length beard on coins of the first reign. Various theories have been put forth to explain this abrupt change in iconography, but it remains mysterious. At any rate young, curly headed Christ proved a short-lived depiction. It would not be until the end of the iconoclastic era in the late 9th century AD that Christ would again be depicted on Byzantine coins, and the image would revert to the more traditional long-haired visage of Justinian II's first reign."
- [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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- Byzantine (705-711) solidus Sear-1415
- return to coins of Byzantium