174, Lot: 270. Estimate $500. Sold for $554. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Heraclius. 610-641. AV Solidus (22mm, 4.38 g). Uncertain eastern mint. Struck 613-619. Crowned and draped facing busts of Heraclius, with short beard, and Heraclius Constantine, beardless; cross above / Cross potent on three steps; IP/CONOB. DOC II 187b.2 (Alexandria); Bendall, Jerusalem Type 4 (fig. 16); MIB III 77⁹ (Cyprus); SB 852 (Jerusalem). EF, slightly clipped.

From the Chris Connell Collection.

Bendall, in his latest article on the "Jerusalem" coinage, concludes the evidence is against the Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine solidi being struck at that city. Site finds suggest a mint in either Egypt or northern Syria, with the latter being more probable. These solidi belong in the same category as the bronze issues of Seleucia Isauria and Isaura, being the products of temporary military mints supporting the army as it advances against the Persian occupiers of Byzantine Syria and the east.