Solidus of Justinian II (685-95)

Unknown

692–695 · Gold · Medieval Art

Christ first appears on coins of Justinian II, shown as Pantokrator, Ruler of All. The Empire's gold coins set an artistic and monetary standard for the Mediterranean world throughout most of Byzantine history. By the middle Byzantine period, a ruler portrait appeared on one side, with a religious icon on the other. Inscriptions were in either Greek, the official language of the Empire, or Latin, its original official language. The images reflected the artistic currents of their times.

Artist

Unknown

Date

692–695

Medium

Gold

Culture

Byzantine

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910