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Solidus of Justinian II with bust of Christ
Byzantine, Constantinople
Reign of Justinian II (first)
A.D. 692–695
Mint: Constantinople
Medium/Technique
Gold
Dimensions
Diameter: 18 mm. Weight: 4.30 gm. Die Axis: 7
Credit Line
Anonymous gift in memory of Zoë Wilbour (1864–1885)
Accession Number35.350
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsNumismatics – Coins
DescriptionObverse: Bust of Christ facing, with cross behind head; He had long hair and a full beard, wears pallium and colobium, and raises right hand in benediction. He holds book of Gospels in left.
IHSCRISTOSREX RESNANTIVM
Reverse: Justinian, wearing crown and loros, standing, facing, holding cross potent on two steps and akakia.
DIUSTINI AN USSERUCHRISTI:(Greek letter delta)
CONO P in exergue
The first image of Christ on coins replaces the obverse imperial portrait now moved to reverse. The representation of Christ, likely modeled after the face of Zeus in a famous statue by the Classical Greek sculptor Phidias, became a standard coinage image after the end of the iconoclastic controversy in 843.
IHSCRISTOSREX RESNANTIVM
Reverse: Justinian, wearing crown and loros, standing, facing, holding cross potent on two steps and akakia.
DIUSTINI AN USSERUCHRISTI:(Greek letter delta)
CONO P in exergue
The first image of Christ on coins replaces the obverse imperial portrait now moved to reverse. The representation of Christ, likely modeled after the face of Zeus in a famous statue by the Classical Greek sculptor Phidias, became a standard coinage image after the end of the iconoclastic controversy in 843.
Provenance1935, anonymous gift to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 4, 1935)