108, Lot: 319. Estimate $100. Sold for $130. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

HERACLIUS. 610-641 AD. Lot of two Æ Folles of Maurice Tiberius, with countermark attributed to Theodore, brother of Heraclius, circa 634-636 AD. Æ Follis (30mm, 10.82 gm, 7h). Constantinople mint. Dated RY 5 (586/7 AD). Helmeted facing bust / Large M, cross above; U, A/CON; countermark: monogram. Coin: DOC I 28a; MIB II 67D; SB 494 // Æ Follis (33mm, 12.54 gm, 7h). Constantinople mint. Dated RY 20 (601/2 AD). Helmeted facing bust / Large M, cross above; X/X, E/CON; countermark: monogram. Coin: DOC I 43 var (unlisted officina); MIB II 67D; SB 494. Countermarks: Lampinen, "Countermarked Byzantine Folles', in Caesarea Papers II, pp. 399-404, 2; DOC II 313; MIB III KM 1a; SB pg. 197. Average VF, the second with a scrape across the obverse. Two (2) coins in lot.

The monogram used as a countermark can be identified as that of Theodore by comparison with identical monograms on Byzantine seals. Theodore, the brother of Heraclius, was put in command of the army confronting the first Muslim raiders invading Syria-Palestine. His army was thoroughly routed, and he was sent home in disgrace. The countermarks were probably applied to coins circulating in Palestine while Theodore was present there.