261, Lot: 332. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1525. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Justinian II, with Tiberius. Second reign, 705-711. AV Tremissis (16mm, 1.49 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck 705-708. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator / Crowned half-length facing busts of Justinian and Tiberius, holding cross potent between them. DOC 6b: MIB 6b; SB 1421. VF, struck on oblong flan, light scratch on reverse.

The portrait of Christ on this second-reign tremissis differs significantly from that which appeared on tremesses of his first reign. The reason for this difference remains unclear. The depiction of Christ during Justinian’s first reign followed an iconographic tradition established as early as the mid sixth century. The second portrait type, however, is more precise, and lacking the flowing hair and long beard of the earlier version. In appearance, it is stylistically similar to then-current imperial portraits, and may represent a more novel interpretation of the association between the Church and the emperor.