Byzantine Empire — AV Solidus of Christ

Justinian II | First Reign, AD 685–695

NGC Ch AU | Strike: 4/5 | Surface: 3/5

c. 4.4–4.5 grams

An extraordinary and historically groundbreaking issue of the Byzantine Empire, this gold solidus of Justinian II represents one of the most important transformations in the history of coinage: the first widely circulating gold coin to place Christ as the dominant image on imperial gold.

Struck at Constantinople during Justinian II’s first reign (AD 685–695), the obverse presents a powerful facing portrait of Christ Pantocrator, haloed, holding the Gospels and raising His right hand in blessing. Many scholars and Shroud researchers have noted how this early Christ portrait closely echoes the long‑haired, bearded “Eastern” type associated with the Shroud of Turin and related acheiropoietos images such as the Image of Edessa, making this one of the very first gold coins to show a Christ‑face in that distinctive style.

The reverse depicts Justinian II standing in full imperial regalia, holding a cross potent on steps and an akakia, with legends identifying him as the “servant of Christ.” By placing Christ on the obverse and relegating the emperor to the reverse, this type sends a clear ideological message: imperial power is consciously placed under the direct lordship of Christ, a striking fusion of religion, politics, and propaganda at the high point of the Christian Roman Empire.

Graded Choice AU with a 4/5 strike and 3/5 surfaces, this example shows impressive central detail where many Byzantine gold pieces are weak. The facial features of Christ, the cruciform nimbus, Gospel book, and much of the reverse imperial figure remain sharply rendered, all set off by rich original luster for outstanding in‑hand eye appealxx

Justinian II himself was one of Byzantium’s most dramatic figures—twice emperor, deposed and mutilated when his nose was cut off, then returning from exile with a prosthetic gold nose to reclaim the throne before finally being overthrown and executed in 711. His bold decision to stamp the face of Christ on the Empire’s premier gold coin did not just reshape Byzantine coinage; it helped fix the standard “Christ‑icon” that would influence art, theology, and even Shroud of Turin debates for centuries to come. A deeply historic and visually arresting solidus, connecting sacred iconography, imperial drama, and the enduring mystery of Christ’s true likeness.