Bust of Christ Pantokrator

Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 446. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $3800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Justinian II. First reign, 685-695. AV Solidus (4.30 g, 6h). Constantinople mint, 5th officina. Struck AD 692-695. IhS CRIST DS RЄX RЄgNANT[IuM], facing bust of Christ Pantokrator / [D I]ЧS(τ retrograde)InI AN uS SЄRЧ ChRIS(τ retrograde)I, Justinian standing facing, holding cross potent on steps and akakia; Є//[CO]NO P. DOC 7e; MIB 8a; SB 1248. Good VF, minor roughness.

This solidus marks the earliest use of a portrait of Christ on a Byzantine coin.