Basil I, the Macedonian 867-886, AV solidus, Constantinople (4,36 g). Christ enthroned facing, wearing nimbus with cross, pallium and colobium and raising right hand/Facing busts of Basil with short beard (on left) and Constantine beardless (on right), both crowned, holding between them patriarchal cross When Justinian II portrayed Jesus on his coins, many felt it was blasphemy. And when Muslims gained territory in Asia Minor it was seen as a punishment. This gave rise to iconoclasm – the smashing of icons and any pictures of God. Although Irene had attempted to reverse the policy, Basil I was the first to quash it. Grade:1+