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Description
On the reverso, Basil I is shown front-facing with a full-body image. Portrait likeness is less important than the imperial costume he wears. In other words, you know Basil I is the emperor, not because it looks like him, but because he is wearing the imperial dress of the emperor. Basil I also holds religious and devotional objects, displaying his religious piety to all. The front of the coin shows the majesty of Christ or the enthroned Christ. We know this is Christ because of the special cruxiform halo (a halo with a cross inside it) that adorns his face. Replacing the emperor with Christ shows how coinage became much more Christian in nature; Christ is shown as coming before the emperor, and it is implied that the emperor’s power comes directly from God himself.
Publisher
Dumbarton Oaks
Keywords
Basil I, Christ
Recommended Citation
Unknown, "Basil I Gold Solidus" (886). BYZANTIUM: Trade, Treasure, Tradition. 15.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/arth3620_2021/15
Comments
4.38g, 20mm. Basil I, the Macedonian, who reigned from 867 to 886 in Constantinople and The majesty of Christ or the enthroned Christ.