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Dallas Signature Sale 3088 5-6 Nov 2020
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Ancients
Justinian II Rhinotmetus, second reign (AD 705-711). AV semissis (17mm, 2.09 gm, 6h). NGC AU 3/5 - 3/5, clipped. Constantinople, AD 706-709. d N IhS ChS RЄX-RЄϚNANTIЧM, facing bust of youthful Christ, with slight beard and tight, curly hair, right hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels in left; cross behind / d N IЧS-TINIA-NЧS MЧLTЧS AN, bust of Justinian II facing, wearing crown and loros, cross potent on globe in right hand, patriarchal cross on globe inscribed PAX in left. Sear 1416.
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 His image would revert to the more traditional long-haired visage of Justinian II's first reign.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-justinian-ii-rhinotmetus-second-reign-ad-705-711-av-semissis-17mm-209-gm-6h-ngc-au-3-5-3-5-clip/a/3088-34187.s?type=CoinArchives3088
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-1500 USD
Justinian II Rhinotmetus, second reign (AD 705-711). AV semissis (17mm, 2.09 gm, 6h). NGC AU 3/5 - 3/5, clipped. Constantinople, AD 706-709. d N IhS ChS RЄX-RЄϚNANTIЧM, facing bust of youthful Christ, with slight beard and tight, curly hair, right hand raised in benediction, book of Gospels in left; cross behind / d N IЧS-TINIA-NЧS MЧLTЧS AN, bust of Justinian II facing, wearing crown and loros, cross potent on globe in right hand, patriarchal cross on globe inscribed PAX in left. Sear 1416.
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 His image would revert to the more traditional long-haired visage of Justinian II's first reign.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/byzantine/ancients-justinian-ii-rhinotmetus-second-reign-ad-705-711-av-semissis-17mm-209-gm-6h-ngc-au-3-5-3-5-clip/a/3088-34187.s?type=CoinArchives3088
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-1500 USD