Heritage World Coin Auctions
Long Beach Signature Sale 3057 7-8 Sep 2017
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Ancients
Justinian II Rhinotmetus, second reign (AD 705-711). AV solidus (21mm, 4.32 gm, 6h). NGC MS 4/5 - 4/5, clipped. Constantinople, AD 705-706. ∂ N IhS ChS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, facing bust of youthful Christ, 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. Struck on a broad flan, with two outstanding portraits set against lustrous fields.
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.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 2500-3200 USD
Justinian II Rhinotmetus, second reign (AD 705-711). AV solidus (21mm, 4.32 gm, 6h). NGC MS 4/5 - 4/5, clipped. Constantinople, AD 705-706. ∂ N IhS ChS RЄX RЄGNANTIЧM, facing bust of youthful Christ, 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. Struck on a broad flan, with two outstanding portraits set against lustrous fields.
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.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 2500-3200 USD