Two Extremely Rare Issues from the Revolt of the Heraclii

CNG 102, Lot: 1145. Estimate $1500. Sold for $4750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Revolt of the Heraclii. 608-610. Æ Follis (29mm, 9.26 g, 6h). Mint in Cyprus, 1st officina. Dated year 3 (610). Facing busts of Heraclius, on left, and his father, the exarch Heraclius, on right, both crowned and wearing consular robes; cross above / Large M; cross above, date across field; KYΠPOY. DOC (18) = Ratto 1438 (same obv. die); MIBE 18² (same dies); SB 725. Good VF, brown surfaces, roughness on reverse. Extremely rare, only four cited by Hahn (MIBE), one in CoinArchives.

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, where he was welcomed by the population, crowned, and saw to the execution of his predecessor in 610.