May 22-23, 2013 - New York, NY
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Constantine IV Pogonatus (668-685) with Heraclius and Tiberius. Gold Solidus. Constantinople, fourth officina, struck 674-681. 4.45 gms. Armored bust slightly r., wearing helmet with crest and plume, holding spear over shoulder and shield, rev. Cross potent on three steps flanked by standing facing figures of Heraclius and Tiberius, each holding globus cruciger, legend ends Δ recut over Θ (?), CONOB in ex. DOC 10c, MIB7b, S.1156. Decent lustre, Extremely Fine. Est. 500-600
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Basil I, the Macedonian with Constantine (868879). Gold Solidus. Constantinople. 4.45 gms. Nimbate figure of Christ enthroned facing, raising His hand in benediction and holding book of the Gospels; legend ends with a five-point star, rev. Crowned facing busts of Basil, short-bearded, wearing a loros, and Constantine, beardless, wearing a chlamys, holding a patriarchal cross between them. DOC 2b, S.1704. Old hairline scratch upper right reverse, bold strike, Extremely Fine. Est. 700-800
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John II Comnenus (1118-1143). Electrum Aspron Trachy. Constantinople. 4.38 gms. Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing, rev. John, wearing divitision and chlamys, and St. George, in military attire, standing facing, holding patriarchal cross between them. DOC 8a, S.1941.A few test hairline scratches in margins, pleasing details, Good Very Fine. Est. 225-275
Constantine IV Pogonatus (668-685). Gold Solidus. Constantinople, second officina, struck 681685. 4.41 gms. Armored bust 3/4 r., wearing crested helmet and holding spear over shoulder and shield adorned with horseman charging right, rev. Cross potent on three steps, legend ends “B”, CONOB in ex. DOC 12b, S.1157. Lustrous, Extremely Fine. Est. 800-1000
Earliest Numismatic Depiction of Christ
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Justinian II, first reign (685-695). Gold Soldius. Constantinople, struck 692-695. 4.49 gms. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator wearing a pallium over colobium, raising His hand in benediction and holding book of the Gospels, cross behind, rev. Justinian standing facing, crowned and wearing a loros, holding cross potent on two steps and akakia, CONO PA in ex. DOC 8c, S.1249. Near Extremely Fine An important development in Christian iconography, this coin marks the earliest numismatic depiction of Christ. During the early Christian period, it was normal practice to represent Christ only through symbolism. The official view of this matter shifted in 692. In that year, the Quinisext Council (Council in Trullon) was called by the emperor Justinian II to reconcile the differences between Eastern and Western church practices and to help repair the growing schism between Constantinople and Rome. One of the issues debated by the Council was how should Christ be portrayed. The Council ruled that from thereon, He should be depicted in human form. It is not known whether the Council’s ruling directly influenced the striking of this coin, but certainly there is a strong connection. The court at Constantinople was more than likely already predisposed to the portrayal of Christ in human form, and the court’s desire was made manifest in ink and metal. Est. 4000-5000
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