Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 1105. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CONSTANTINE IV, Pogonatus, with HERACLIUS and TIBERIUS. 668-685 AD. AV Solidus (4.36 gm). Constantinople mint. Struck 668 AD. d N CONST ANIUS C COS, beardless facing bust, wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger / VICTORIA AVSU, cross potent on three steps flanked by Heraclius and Tiberius, each beardless, standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger; Q/CONOB. DOC II 1 var. (officina); MIB III 1B; SB 1147 (unlisted officina). EF, weak strike, slight edge clip. ($1000)

This odd obverse legend on the first coinage of Constantine IV makes reference to two emperors, both named Constantine. Constantine IV started off his reign as co-ruler with his two popular brothers, Heraclius and Tiberius, neither of whom would have been known as Constantine. One possible explanation is that Constantine was emphasising the dynastic ties with his late father Constans II, recently murdered by the usurper Mezezius in Sicily. The legend reverted to a standard form after the downfall and death of Mezezius in early 669 AD.