JUSTINIAN II SECOND REIGN GOLD SOLIDUS – YOUNG “HISTORICAL” CHRIST ISSUE – NGC CHOICE AU BYZANTINE COIN (Inv. 21435)

$5,250.00

21435. BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTINIAN II, SECOND REIGN, AD 705–711.
Gold Solidus, 4.41 g, 20 mm. Issue of Constantinople.
Obv. ꝹN IhS ChS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, bust of youthful Christ Pantocrator, facing, holding Gospels and raising his right hand in benediction. Rev. ꝹN IЧSTINIANЧS ЄT TIbЄRIЧS PP A, facing half-length busts of Justinian II and Tiberius, both holding a central cross potent with stepped base.
Sear 1414.
Ex Gorny & Mosch 71, 5/3/1995, lot 931.
NGC CHOICE AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5, “clipped,” “brushed,” traces of encrustation.

During his return to power following his exile (the “Second Reign”), Justinian II adopts an entirely new image of Christ for his coinage, a youthful portrait with eastern features, including curly short-cropped hair and a kind, welcoming, expression. It is an image likely based on the iconographical traditions of Christian Syria, and some have observed that it may be based on an icon of the “historical” Christ as he appeared before the Crucifixion.