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The Coinage of Justinian II introduced features into imperial Byzantine currency that would become the standard for coinage throughout the Byzantine Empire. Prominent features like the inclusion of the bust of Christ and the depiction of the emperor would become standard features of the Byzantine style of iconography on its coinage.

First Reign Coinage

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Solidus of the first reign of Justinian II

While minting coins during his first reign, Justinian II made major changes to the design of Byzantium coinage which focused on a style of realism[1]. One revision was to the image of the emperor; discarding previous iconography of the emperor wearing military dress[2] in favor of traditional state regalia, however there was a general trends towards this style that can be seen starting with the reign of Heraclius[3]. Justinian II is shown clothed in a dvitision, chlamys, and topped with a simple crown. This image of the emperor was also expanded on the coins. Coins showed a full length portrait of the emperor, in contrast to previous three quarter sized portraits originating from Constantius II[4] ,draped in the ceremonial loros of old Roman Consuls[5] while holding the cross[6]. Another alteration to the currency was the inclusion of the bust of Christ on the coinage.Images of Christ did appear on Byzantine coinage before Justinian II's reign, on currency introduced during the reign of emperor Marcian ,which featured Christ blessing the emperor and empress. Justinian II coins featured only an image of the Savior by himself[2] These images of Christ would influence future portrayals of Christ in Byzantium and Christendom becoming a standard after the Iconoclasm in the reign of Michael III[7], the coins portrayed Christ in front of the cross with one hand raised while the other grasp the holy gospels[6]. The portrait of the emperor's position also changed,being put on the reverse side of his previous position, giving the obverses which symbolized the greatest honor to Christ [8]. This iconography would combine the earthly and heavenly sovereign, showing the emperor role as steward on earth for Christ, which Justinian II had obsessively thought about[9]. The coins would also feature the phrases Rex Regnantium, or "King of Those who Reign" over the image of Christ. The phrase itself has its roots in the New Testament[10] , however the practice of inscription of religious phrases was related to earlier inscriptions on the coinage of Rome and the phrase Zeus-Jupiter[11] . Over the image of the emperor was the phrase Justinianus Servus Christi or "Lord Justinian , Slave of Christ"[6]. This may have been a deliberate parody of the Umayyad Caliph, Abd-al-Malik, as his name means "Slave of the King"[6], although some scholars dispute this claim that this dispute lacks evidence or that the opposite may be true[12]. The coins also featured a dating based on the regnal and consular years[13].These coins would act as propaganda tools[14] , promoting this role of the emperor and his right to rule based on his divine connection to the Eastern Orthodox church as head of the Byzantine Empire. These practices would end temporally with the deposition and mutilation of Justinian II at the hands of Leontius.[15]

Second Reign Coinage

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Solidus of the second reign of Justinian II, depicting a younger Christ

During his second reign, Justinian II had to replace the coins of Leontios and Apsimar after his restoration to the throne so he began to produce new coinage. The use of Christ as imagery on the coins was reestablished,a practice that had been stopped during the reign of Leontios.[2]. These depictions of Christ, however, differed from the image used during Justinian II's first reign. The coins featured a more young “Syrian “ figure with curly hair and a short beard. This seems to be because of an icon the emperor himself found special meaning in[6]. The portrayal of Justinian II also changed, the coins featured a more stylized depiction of the emperor but still maintained the distinct pointed face of the emperor. However these coins did not feature the flaw in Justinian II's nose, caused by Leontios when he slit Justinian II's nose to mark his banishment[15]. The emperor's image was meant to showcase perfection and divine nature,so such a flaw was to not be shown. The coins would also be pressed with the phrase pax , as Justinian II attempted to convey, through propaganda, the restoration of the empire. The coins also featured the phrase Dominus Noster Justinianus Multus Annos or Justinian our lord for many years, conveying both a hope and a insecurity at his new reign[6] . Later coins of Justinian II would feature himself and his son Tiberius, co-emperor, standing together holding the cross [6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 28.
  2. ^ a b c Goodacre, Hugh (1928). Handbook of The Coinage of the Byzantine Empire. London: Spink & Son LTD. p. 115.
  3. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 29.
  4. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 29.
  5. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. pp. 36–37.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Constance., Head, (1972). Justinian II of Byzantium. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 121. ISBN 0299060306. OCLC 258541.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 56.
  8. ^ Breckenridge, James (1959). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 27.
  9. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 55.
  10. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 51.
  11. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 59.
  12. ^ Breckenridge, James (1959). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 75.
  13. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. pp. 43–44.
  14. ^ Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 18.
  15. ^ a b Breckenridge, James (1956). The Numismatic Iconography of Justinian II. New York: The American Numismatic Society. p. 13.


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