Description
| Byzantine Empire. Heraclius with Heraclius Constantinus (613-638). Solidus, 613-616, Constantinopolis mint, 5th officina. | |
| Obverse: | dd NN hERACLIUS ET hERA CONST PP AV[C]. Facing busts of Heraclius on the left and Heraclius Constantine on the right, each wearing a chlamys and crowned with cross, in the field above cross. |
| Reverse: | VICTORIA AVGU E. Cross potent on four steps, in exergue CONOB. |
| Dimensions: | AV, 4.45 g, 21 mm, 6h. |
| References: | Sear 734; DOC 8e; MIB 8a. |
| Condition: | Minor area of weakness on both sides, from fresh dies on a large flan. Good extremely fine. |
| Provenance: | Ex Kölner Münzkabinett 115 (2021), 522. |
| Comment: | Heraclius was emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 610 to 641. He was one of the most important Byzantine rulers and can also be considered the last ruler of late antiquity. He founded a dynasty that ruled until 711. Heraclius’ reign was marked by the military defensive struggle against external enemies: the Persians, the Avars and the Arabs. During his reign, the empire transformed into a fully graecized empire. In his coinage, he expanded the family presentation and depicted his wife and his sons, who were appointed co-emperors, on the coins, in this case Heraclius Constantinus. On the reverse the typical cross potent is shown on four steps that represent the Calvary, the execution site of Jesus Christ. |