{"product_id":"justinian-ii-gold-solidus-young-christ-portrait-ngc-chms-byzantine-705-711-ad","title":"Justinian II Gold Solidus Young Christ Portrait NGC ChMS Byzantine 705-711 AD","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJUSTINIAN II — THE RETURN OF THE EMPEROR \u0026amp; A NEW PORTRAIT OF CHRIST\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eByzantine Empire | Justinian II, Second Reign, AD 705–711\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAV Gold Solidus — 4.43 grams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNGC Choice Mint State (Ch MS)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrike: 4\/5 | Surface: 5\/5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNGC Certification #6329190-003\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional ancient gold Solidus from the dramatic second reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian II, featuring one of the most fascinating and historically important portraits of Jesus Christ ever placed on ancient coinage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJustinian II had already made numismatic history during his first reign by becoming the first Byzantine emperor to place a portrait of Christ prominently on his circulating gold coinage. After being deposed, mutilated and exiled in AD 695, Justinian accomplished the nearly unimaginable: he returned to Constantinople and reclaimed the Byzantine throne in AD 705.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith his restoration came another remarkable change to his gold coinage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTHE “YOUNG CHRIST” PORTRAIT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstead of simply returning to the familiar long-haired, bearded image of Christ used during his first reign, Justinian introduced a dramatically different sacred portrait.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChrist appears facing, with short, tightly curled hair and a closely cropped beard, raising His right hand in benediction while holding the Book of Gospels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe precise inspiration remains debated, but major numismatic references have noted its similarity to early Eastern Christian iconography. CNG specifically describes the second-reign image as a youthful Christ more closely associated with early Eastern traditions, while other scholarship describes the portrait as a distinctly different interpretation from the classic Pantokrator of Justinian’s first reign. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat makes the first- and second-reign Christ solidi of Justinian II a fascinating pair for an advanced Byzantine or Biblical coin collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOBVERSE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFacing bust of Jesus Christ, cross behind His head, with short curly hair and close beard. Christ raises His right hand in blessing and holds the Book of Gospels in His left.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Smithsonian’s example of this type describes essentially the same iconography: Christ facing with curly hair and close beard, raising His hand in benediction and holding the Gospels. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eREVERSE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFacing crowned figures of Emperor Justinian II and his son Tiberius, together holding a large cross potent set upon steps between them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe imagery powerfully links the earthly authority of the emperor and his heir with the divine authority represented by Christ on the opposite side.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAN EXTRAORDINARY SURVIVOR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat separates this particular coin from the typical example is its preservation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNGC Choice Mint State\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrike 4\/5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSurface 5\/5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 5\/5 Surface designation is especially desirable for an approximately 1,300-year-old hammered gold coin. The coin retains strong golden color, excellent detail and remarkably fresh surfaces, with all three major portraits immediately recognizable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe photographs speak for themselves — Christ’s facial features, curls, Gospel book and cross are exceptionally engaging, while Justinian II and Tiberius remain clearly represented on the reverse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example offers the additional appeal of NGC Choice Mint State and a perfect 5\/5 Surface rating.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA COIN AT THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJustinian’s restored reign would last only six years. In AD 711 he was overthrown and killed, ending the Heraclian dynasty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMore remarkable still, following the political and religious turmoil that followed, the portrait of Christ disappeared from Byzantine coinage for well over a century, not returning until the ninth century. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis solidus therefore represents far more than ancient gold.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is a surviving piece of the Byzantine Empire at one of the great intersections of Christianity, imperial power, religious art and monetary history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA superb centerpiece for an advanced collection of Byzantine gold, Biblical coins, early Christian history or historically significant ancient coinage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e⸻\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCAPSTONE ACQUISITIONS, LP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eServing collectors and investors since 2004.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe specialize in exceptional U.S., World and Ancient coins with an emphasis on rarity, quality and historical significance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProud Member:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProfessional Numismatists Guild — PNG\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternational Association of Professional Numismatists — IAPN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuy with confidence from an established professional numismatic firm. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"capstonecoins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48996089692313,"sku":null,"price":19088.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0464\/6948\/0601\/files\/11FAC5CE-BB78-4057-9A20-456EAE42DE85.jpg?v=1788892020","url":"https:\/\/capstonecoins.com\/products\/justinian-ii-gold-solidus-young-christ-portrait-ngc-chms-byzantine-705-711-ad","provider":"capstonecoins","version":"1.0","type":"link"}