Triton XVIII, Lot: 1296. Estimate $1500. Sold for $2750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Phocas. 602-610. AV Solidus (21mm, 4.50 g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 10th officina. Struck 602-603. O N FOCAЄ PЄRP AVG, crowned bust facing, wearing consular robes, holding mappa in right hand, cross in left / VICTORI–A AVCC, angel standing facing, holding staff terminating in staurogram in right hand, globus cruciger in left; I//CONOB. DOC 3; MIBE 1; SB 622. EF. Lustrous. Rare.

From the Jonathan K. Kern Collection.

Hahn (MIB) dates this issue featuring the dative version of the emperor’s name and a crown with pendilia to December 602, in anticipation of Phocas taking his first consulship in January 603. Following the precedent of Maurice, however, Phocas postponed the consulship until December of 603. Thus, either the coins were struck in late 602 and stored away until the appropriate time, or the dies were saved for later use.