Byzantine, Justin I Augustus, 491-518 AD

Justin I Gold Solidus
Denomination: Gold Solidus
Year: circa AD 518-519
Bust: Pearl-Diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly to right, holding spear and shield decorated with horseman motif.
Obverse: D N IVSTINVS P P AVC
Reverse:VICTORIA AVCCC A
Type: Victory standing facing, head to left, holding long staff surmounted by staurogram; star in left field, CONOB in exergue.
Mint: Constantinople
Weight & Measures: 4.48g; 21mm
References: Sear 55; MIBE 2; DOC 1
Provenance: Ex Roma Numismatics XXIX (November 2023); Lot 622; Ex Leu Numismatik AG; Ex Nea Rhome Collection, formed in early 2000’s.

Translation: OB: Dominus Noster Justinus Pater Patriae Augustus; for Our Lord Justin, Father of the Country, and Supreme Commander.
Translation: Rev: Victoria Augustus ??

Notes: The staurogram combines the Greek letters tau-rho to stand in for parts of the Greek words for “cross” (stauros) and “crucify” (stauroō) in Bodmer papyrus P75. Staurograms serve as the earliest images of Jesus on the cross, predating other Christian crucifixion imagery by 200 years.