Siege of Jerusalem

Triton XIX, Lot: 696. Estimate $2000. Sold for $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Heraclius. 610-641. Æ Follis (33mm, 15.98 g, 6h). Jerusalem mint. Dated RY 4 (613/4). D Һ ҺЄRAC L’ PP [AVC], crowned bust facing, wearing consular robes, holding [mappa] in right hand, eagle-tipped scepter in left / Large M; [cross above], A/N/N/O-II/II (date) across field; IЄPOCO[S]. DOC –; Bendall, Jerusalem 1 = MIB pl. 14, X27 (same obv. die as illustration); SB 852B (same obv. die as illustration). Near VF, green patina. Very rare.

Struck during the Sasanian siege of Jerusalem, which lasted from April-May of 614. Two follis variants were issued, one with the ethnic in exergue and one with XCNIKA. A developing flaw on an obverse die used for both variants indicates that the folles with ethnic were issued first, those with “Christ conquers” apparently struck as the situation became increasingly desperate (Bendall p. 313). Interestingly, although struck four years into Heraclius’ reign, these folles still copy the portrait of Phocas.