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Message:: [QUOTE="AncientJoe, post: 5301605, member: 44357"]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. [ATTACH=full]1223470[/ATTACH] 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. ([USER=81896]@Deacon Ray[/USER]  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![/QUOTE]