Published in Lacam’s Civilisation et Monnaies Byzantines

CNG 100, Lot: 287. Estimate $7500. Sold for $11000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Revolt of the Heraclii. 608-610. AV Solidus (16mm, 4.48 g, 6h). Carthage mint. Dated IY 13 (609/10). D N HЄRACΛI CONSVΛI IΓ, bareheaded busts of Heraclius the younger, beardless, and the exarch Heraclius, bearded, each wearing consular robes; cross above / VICTORIA CONSVΛI, cross potent set on three steps; IΓ//CONOB. DOC 3; MIBE 1; Lacam, Civilisation, pl. XXXI-A, 2 (this coin); SB 710. Near EF, struck from worn dies, short scratch on reverse. Extremely rare and interesting issue.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Dr. Anton Dreesman Collection (Part II, Spink 144, 13 July 2000), lot 464; Numismatic Fine Arts XVIII (Part II, 1 April 1987), lot 749.

Beginning in 608, the exarch of Africa and his son, both named Heraclius, began issuing coinage in opposition to that of the unpopular Byzantine emperor Phocas. This coinage named and depicted the Heraclii as consuls (though neither held the title at that time) rather than as emperors, a political move that promoted the Heraclii as champions of the people, not merely rivals to the throne. The revolt culminated with Heraclius the younger’s coup at Constantinople in 610, where he was welcomed by the population, crowned, and saw to the execution of his predecessor. The solidi dated to indictional year 13 constitute the final gold issue of the revolt.