Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 1732. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $325. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

HERACLIUS, with HERACLIUS CONSTANTINE and MARTINA. 610-641 AD. Æ Follis (4.83 gm). Syrian mint. Dated year "17". Heraclius, Heraclius Constantine, and Martina standing facing, each holding cross / Large M; year X/U/II, G//KON (N retrograde). Cf. DOC II 184; MIB III X46 (same dies); cf. SB 849 (as the photo). Good VF, dark brown patina. Attractive for these. ($200)

These distinctive imitative folles from "Cyprus" and "Constantinople" mints were probably struck in Syria during the campaign against the Persians in the 620s, when disordered conditions led to the production of local coinages. Although relatively scarce today, they must have been struck in vast quantities; it is rare to find a die match with a published specimen.