Byzantine Justinian II AD 705-711 Gold Solidus NGC CHAU Second Reign Young Jesus

Description

Byzantine Empire Justinian II AD 705-711 Gold Solidus NGC CHAU Second Reign Young Jesus Christ obverse
BYZANTINE EMPIRE. JUSTINIAN II, SECOND REIGN, AD 705-711 NGC Choice Mint State Strike 4/5 Surface 5/5 Gold solidus, 4.42g., 20 mm., minted in Constantinople.
Obv. Facing bust of youthful Jesus Christ Pantokrator, holding Gospels and with his right hand raised in benediction.
Rev. Facing bust of Justinian II wearing a loros and holding a cross potent in the right hand and a globus cruciger inscribed PAX in the left.
During his return to power following his exile (the “Second Reign”), Justinian II continues to employ the portraiture of Christ on coinage, but opts for an entirely new image – a youthful portrait of a distinct eastern physiognomic type, with curly short-cropped hair and a kind, welcoming, expression. It is an image likely based on the iconographical traditions of Christian Syria, and some have even argued that it originates in an icon of the “historical” Christ, the Christ before the Crucifixion. As the French numismatist Lacam has suggested, this younger portrait is Christ the Messiah, whereas the earlier bearded effigy of the “First Reign” represents the Lord as Christ of the Ascension and Redemption.
The word Pantokrator is of Greek origin meaning "ruler of all". Christ Pantokrator is an icon of Christrepresented full or half-length and full-faced. He holds the book of the Gospels in his left hand and blesses with his right hand.
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