692–695 Byzantine Constantinople Gold Solidus of Justinian II NGC Mint State

Could This Be the First Portrait of Jesus?

• ANCIENT HISTORY YOU CAN HOLD IN YOUR HANDS – Each coin is more than 1,325 years old from a time when the Byzantine Empire and Emperor Justinian II were at the height of power. Now you can hold an actual piece of that history in your hands!
• HISTORIC SYMBOLIC DESIGNS – This coin was among the very first portraits of Jesus to ever exist. It was struck following the Quinsextine Council in 692 that decreed that Jesus should portrayed in his human form and not in the ancient form of the lamb.
• EACH COIN STRUCK BY HAND – Your Byzantine Constantinople Gold Solidus of Justinian II was carefully struck by ancient artisans. Because of this, no two coins are exactly alike!
• NICE COLLECTOR GRADE CONDITION – Each coin has been certified and graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as being in Mint State (MS) condition with a phenomenal Strike 4/5 and Surface 4/5.
• SEALED IN A PROTECTIVE HOLDER – Your coin has been sonically sealed in an acrylic holder.

Prior to the rule of the Byzantine Empire’s Justinian II, there were coins that featured representations of Christ, but never in human form. Instead, it was common practice to represent Jesus with an image of a lamb.

As both emperor and leader of the Church, Justinian II called together the Quinsextine Council in 692. Known also as the Quinsext or Trullo Council, it was held to clarify messages that came out of the Fifth and Sixth Ecumenical Council — hence named the Quin (fifth) sext (Sixth) Council. During this council, it was stated that “in order to expose to the sight of all, at least with the help of painting, that which is perfect, we decree that henceforth Christ our God be represented in his human form and not in the ancient form of the lamb.”

Justinian immediately struck these coins featuring Jesus, depicted with an image similar to one earlier used to represent Zeus. Minted in Constantinople between 692 (the year of the council) and 695, these coins were among the very first portraits of Jesus to ever exist!

Here we have a wonderful example of this coin in astounding Mint State (MS) condition, with a Strike 4/5, a Surface 4/5 and a “die shift” designation. On an enlarged photo of the coin, one would notice that the legend doesn’t go exactly around the coin — the only reason the Strike rating isn’t a 5/5. Make no mistake, this is a beautiful specimen.

As the first portraits of Jesus on a coin, minted by the head of the Church, this coin is of incalculable religious value — an ancient treasure that’s sure to become a cherished and revered family heirloom.