A.D. 705-711 Ancient Byzantine Justinian II Solidus 2nd Reign NGC MS

The Only Real Portrait of Jesus?

When this Solidus coin was struck in Constantinople sometime between A.D. 705 and 711, it was declared by the Church that these are the true portraits of Jesus. Minted during the second reign of Justinian II, the coin portrays Jesus as a younger man, as described by Syrian tradition. If accurate, it may be the first and only portrait of Jesus on a coin, or anywhere, that shows his actual likeness.

Several years prior, in A.D. 692, Emperor Justinian II, who was also leader of the church, called for the Quinsextine Council, which ruled that Jesus must not be portrayed as a Pascal Lamb -- a common practice up to that point -- and must instead be portrayed as a human figure. Graded by NGC in Mint State (MS) condition, with a Strike 4/5 and a Surface 3/5, this coin is of incredible importance not just in the numismatic world, but also the world of Christianity.