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Heraclius Highlighted From FORVM's Catalog
Joe Sermarini:
Heraclius, 5 October 610 - 11 January 641 A.D., and Heraclius Constantine, 23 January 613 - 20 April 641 A.D.
Heraclius came to power in 610 following a successful revolt in North Africa against the tyrannical rule of the Emperor Focas. His son Heraclius Constantine was elevated to joint rule in 613 A.D. Heraclius most spectacular military achievement was the total defeat of the Rome's old enemy on the eastern frontier, the Sassanid Persians. Unfortunately, this only facilitated the Arab conquest of Persia and the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines lost Syria and Palestine before Heraclius died in early 641 A.D. and Egypt fell to the Arabs soon after.
Certificate of Authenticity issued by David R. Sear
The most likely occasion for this issue would have been Martina's coronation in 614 A.D. Based on the number of surviving specimens, production may have continued for several years. Martina was extensively featured on the copper coinage of Heraclius from c. 615 to c. 629 A.D. Rynearson identifies this type as scarce.
6184. Silver half siliqua, DO class III, SB-871, DO-233, MIB 149, DO 233, MIB 149, BMC 343-6, Tolstoi 319-20, Ratto 1460-64, Morrison (CBN) 3-11, S 871, gVF (very conservative grade by Mr. Sear), 0.66g, 11.6mm, 100º, Carthage mint, 614-618 A.D. or less likely 628-629 A.D.; obverse D N ERACLIO PP AV, bust of Heraclius facing, beardless, wearing cuirass, paludamentum, and crown with pendilia and cross; reverse no inscription; to left bust of Heraclius Constantine, Heraclius' son, wearing chlamys with tablion and crown with pendilia and cross, to right bust of Martina, Heraclius' wife, wearing robes and crown with long pendilia and cross, cross between heads; ex Edward J. Waddell, ex Woolslayer collection, scarce, $500
Certificate of Authenticity issued by David R. Sear
Isaura, the mint that issued this rare follis, appears to have been active only during regnal year 8 (AD 617/18). Sear notes, Heraclian bronzes of Isaura are generally (probably always) overstruck on those of earlier reigns and Harlan Berk notes the coins for all dies at cut at Isauka were the work of a single die cutter. Per "Byzantine Coin Values" by Paul F. Rynearson, Heraclian folles of Isaura are extremely rare.
6212. Bronze follis, DO 183, MIB 196, Wroth (BMC) 267, BN 1, Tolstoi 277, H-196, S 848, VF, nice brown patina, overstrike, reverse struck a little off center and date and mint mark off flan, 11.86g, 30.0mm, 180º, Isaura mint, first officina, 617-618 A.D.; obverse J J N hERACL E hRA, facing busts of Heraclius, on left, and Heraclius Constantine, smaller, on right, each wearing crown with cross and chlamys, cross between their heads; reverse large mark of value M between A / N / N / [O] and stigma [II], cross above, officina letter A below, and mint mark [ISAYR] in exergue; very rare, ex Harlan Berk, ex Woolslayer collection, $400
Joe Sermarini:
Certificate of Authenticity issued by David R. Sear
This coin is an apparently unpublished and possibly unique variant with a cross instead of Chi Rho above the mark of value (M) on the reverse.
6204. Bronze follis, apparently unpublished variant similar to DO 180a variant, MIB 192 variant, Wroth (BMC 274a) variant, BN 2 variant, Tolstoi 275 variant, S 844 variant, gVF, 10.45g, 29.0mm, 180º, overstrike, Seleucia Isauriae mint, first officina, 617-618 A.D.; obverse ...] hERA ST RR A (blundered legend), facing busts of Heraclius, on left, and Heraclius Constantine, smaller, on right, each wearing crown with cross and chlamys, cross between their heads; reverse large mark of value M between A / N / N / O and stigma II, cross above, officina letter A below, and mint mark SELISU in exergue; ex Harlan Berk, ex Woolslayer collection, extremely rare, apparently unpublished and possibly unique variant, $900
Certificate of Authenticity issued by David R. Sear
6201. Bronze follis, DO 181b, MIB 193, BN 4 variant, Tolstoi 274, F/gVF, fine green patina highlighted by sandy earthen fill, S 845, 11.86g, 31.5mm, 180º, Seleucia Isauriae mint, 616-617 A.D.; obverse legend blundered and illegible, Heraclius, on left, and Heraclius Constantine, smaller, on right, both standing facing, wearing crown with cross and chlamys, and holding a globus cruciger in right hand, cross between their heads; reverse large mark of value M between A / N / N / O and stigma I, Chi-Rho monogram above, officina letter B below; mint mark SELISU in exergue; ex Woolslayer collection, very rare, $200
Strauracius:
More.........More.............More ;D We so seldom get good stuff in the Byzantine section. Very interesting article. Thanks
Robert_Brenchley:
Gorgeous coins. I wish I could get scans that good, too.
Joe Sermarini:
Actually, this isn't an article, it is a page right out of FORVM's catalog. :)
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