Christ on Coins

I generally don't collect Byzantine coinage as the stylistic degradation isn't appealing to me but this type has always been on my list for its historical and artistic significance. Finding a well-struck, non-clipped example has been harder to accomplish than I anticipated.



Regardless of one's beliefs, the teachings attributed to Jesus Christ have made a significant impact on history, even outside of Christianity, with Jesus featuring in Islam as one of the most important prophets. (@Deacon Ray would likely have more context to provide here if wanted!)

Christ is depicted on many coins throughout history but the portrait of Christ on the obverse of this solidus is the first numismatic representation of Jesus.

It immediately followed the ruling of the Trullan Synod of AD 692 that Christ could be depicted in human form. Justinian II was ostentatiously devout and placing the divine image on his coinage was a reflection of this.

The image is remarkably naturalistic and lifelike, and was likely based on the mosaic image of Christ in the apse of the Great Palace of Constantinople, which was itself influenced by Hellenistic depictions of Zeus.

Post your coins depicting Christ and happy holidays!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

A beautiful coin, AJ. Congrats.

 

Great pick up and very interesting to know that this is the first depiction of Christ on a coin.

 

I think the term 'stylistic degradation' is unfair here. People didn't suddenly forget how to draw or sculpt. Priorities simply changed and money was considered a necessary evil. They didn't really see the point in adapting high art on coins, and this is quite evident in the copper coinage. Realism was frowned upon especially regarding emperors faces for many ideological reasons. Symbolism was the way to go and they excelled in it. The more you study Byzantine art, the more you understand and appreciate it.

Some interesting reading: https://www.bu.edu/wcp/Papers/Aest/AestSaba.htm

And my contributions to the thread:

 

Dazzling coin! Like you, I too have a hard time enjoying byzantine coinage due to the degradation of artistry that the church and a faltering Rome produced. There is a clear cut loss in art and artistry as a whole that didn't fully regain until the renaissance... if ever.
I really like the scruffy look of Jesus on your coin.
Though, I must confess the sides of the cross sticking out the sides of his head remind me of a character from another, very different, holiday:

Now, in regards to Jesus on coins, I only have a couple. He's not my savior. However, my father in law is a big fan of the guy (a mormon in Utah, how unique) and I've given him my best. And he will get a huge kick out of your amazing score when I show it to him.
Here's the couple I've given and kept, starting with my old holiest coin , which I gave away with a half decent portrait of the man:


And my first byzantine:

 

That's a beauty, AJ! It's interesting that his second reign featured such a contrasting depiction (not my coin):


My favourite depiction of Christ in my own collection:

Anonymous follis class A3, issued c. 1023-1028 (Basil II & Constantine VIII)

Finally, I don't see how you can describe Byzantine coin art as suffering from a "stylistic degradation" when they were capable of producing works of great beauty like this one:

 

Gorgeous Byzantine, @AncientJoe !

I do not have one in gold, but I do have Silver:


BZ Andronicus II - Michael IX AD 1295-1320 AR Basilikon 22mm 2.1g Constantinople Christ enthroned labarum DOC V 1 Class VIII



BZ Manuel I Comnenus 1143-1180 CE Aspron Trachy 35mm 4g Christ Gospels Labaran globus cruciger Virgin maphorium SB 1966 scyphate

 

Beautiful! An amazing solidus congratulations and it fits perfectly with today!

The coin that shows Jesus the best on all my coins:

Basil II and Constantine VIII (976-1028 A.D.), Anonymous AE Follis Class A3, Constantinople mint.
Obverse: Facing bust of Christ, wears nimbus cruciger ornamented in each limb of cross, pallium and colobium, Gospels in both hands, to left IC, to right XC.
Reverse: IhSuS / XRISTuS / bASILEu / bASILE (Jesus Christ King of Kings), ornamentation above and below.
Reference: SBCV 1818.
7.84g

But since you share gold I will drop in a gold coin as well, with Jesus on the reverse.


Andronicus II Palaeologus, 1282-1328. AV Hyperpyron Nomisma. Constantinople mint, 1282-1294.
Obverse: Bust of the Virgin orans within the city walls furnished with six groups of towers; in lower field, CZ-ZC sigla.
Reverse: ANΔPO/NIKOC E/ XΩ T C/IΛIΠ/TICO IC/XC Andronicus on left, nimbate and kneeling right blessed by Christ standing facing on right, with decorated nimbus, holding Book of Gospels; between them fleur-de-lis; to right, C/N.
Reference: DOC 225 var (sigla). PCPC 91B Sigla 77 var. SB 2326.
25mm, 4.28g

 

I have a few anonymous folles here is one of them.

Romanus III or Michael IV A.D. 1028-1041

AE Anonymous Follis, 28mm, 12.7 grams

Obverse: EMMANOVHL, facing bust of Christ, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium, holding gospels with both hands, to left IC, to right XC

Reverse: Cross on three steps with pellet at each extremity, in fields IS-XS/BAS-ILE/ BAS-ILE (Jesus Christ, King of Kings)

Reference: SBCV 1823

 

When it come to Christ portraits, the other end of the spectrum comes with this stavraton of John VIII, the next to last Byzantine emperor. Of course the last emperor Constantine XI's coins are worse but out of my price bracket.

 

Beautifull Justinian II AJ

I have a non-Byzantine
AV Tremissis ND Cordoba Mint
Ervigus 680-87AD
Visigothic Kingdom/ Hispania

Byzantine Empire
AV Histamenon ND Constantinople Mint
Constantine IX 1042-55

Basil I
AV Solidus Constantinople Mint

 

Don't know about Zeus but this facing radiate bust of Helios has been liken to Jesus. This is a really excellent example.

Athens New Style Tetradrachm c138/7 BC
Obs : Athena Parthenos right in tri-form helmet
33mm 16.87gm Thompson issue 27
Thompson catalogue : 288a
Rev : ΑΘΕ ethnic
Owl standing on overturned panathenaic amphora on
which month mark Α control ΗΡ in LF
LF - ΓΛΑΥ RF - ΕΧΕ
2 magistrates
RF symbol : Radiate facing bust of Helios
All within a surrounding olive wreath

 

@Only a Poor Old Man, ...well, Terrific example, by the way. But you're owed a debt of thanks for your eloquent defense of the Byzantine tradition in art. It's like all kinds of non-Western art; it doesn't symptomize an aesthetic deficiency; rather an entirely distinct aesthetic, with its own, resonantly sophisticated conventions. ...Likewise your point that among the Byzantines, coins as a medium were seen in a far different, more utilitarian light than the religious and political propoganda machines (fascinating as they are) that they were for the Ancients.

 

Thanks @Only a Poor Old Man , and I do agree that Byzantine art (like all art) needs to be looked at in its proper context. I can appreciate the symbolism (and that's part of why this particular type resonates with me) but the stylized depictions often don't strike my artistic interests, likely due to the utilitarian intent for the coinage of the era. That certainly doesn't negate their importance but the earlier Greek and Roman coinage aligns better with my aesthetic focus.

 

My favorite coin depicting Jesus Christ . Merry Christmas to everyone .

 

A.J., This certainly is a lovely example & looks FDC !

 

Good day to add this one to the thread, picked it up at auction a month or so ago, this series of Anonymous follis is so addictive.

 

This is one of my favorite ancients categories! Here are the meager couple that I possess.



Byzantine Empire
Anonymous Ӕ Follis Class B
Attributed to Romanus III A.D. 1028-1034
30x31mm 9.1gm
OBV: facing bust of Christ, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium and colobium, holding gospels with both hands, IC - XC (Jesus Christ) flanking across field.
REV: Cross on three steps with pellet at each extremity, in fields IS - XS (Jesus Christ) / bAS-ILE / bAS-ILE (King of Kings)
Constantinople mint SB 1823


Byzantine Empire
Anonymous Ӕ Follis Class I
Time of Nicephorus III A.D. 1078-1081
23mm 2.6gm
OBV: Nimbate bust of Christ facing, holding Gospels; IC-XC across field.
REV: Latin cross with x at center and globule and two pellets in each extremity, in lower field either side, floral ornament; in upper field either side, crescent.
Constantinople mint SB 1889

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/post-your-jesus-coins.286132/

 

Not here yet, courtesy of the USPS, but here is my most recent.

Z