The Revolt of the Heraclii

259, Lot: 437. Estimate $500. Sold for $425. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Revolt of the Heraclii. 608-610. Æ Follis (29mm, 9.48 g, 6h). Alexandretta mint, 1st officina. Dated IY 13 (609/10). Crowned facing busts of Heraclius and exarch Heraclius, each wearing consular robes; cross above / Large M; cross above, date across field; A//[AΛЄξAN]. Cf. DOC 15 (Alexandretta); MIBE 16; SB 722 (Alexandretta). Near VF, dark green patina with orange earthen highlights. Rare.

Beginning in 608, the exarch of Africa and his son, Heraclius the elder and the younger, began issuing coinage in opposition to that of the Byzantine emperor Phocas. This coinage depicted the Heraclii in consular robes, though neither held the imperial title at that time. Attacks were launched in Egypt and around the Mediterranean and culminated with the younger’s coup at Constantinople, where he was crowned and saw to the execution of his predecessor in 610, establishing a dynasty which would last a century, ending with the execution of Justinian II in 711.