Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 1742. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CONSTANTINE IV, Pogonatus, with HERACLIUS and TIBERIUS. 668-685 AD. AR Hexagram (6.30 gm). Constantinople mint. Struck 668-669 AD. dN CONST[AN] TINUS PP A, facing bust, wearing cuirass and crested helmet with plume and cross, holding spear and shield with 'eye" motif / dEU AdIUTA OUMANIS, cross potent on globe on three steps flanked by Heraclius and Tiberius standing facing. DOC II -; MIB III [63A]; SB -. Toned, good VF, fine style on a broad flan. ($500)

The only hexagram of Constantine IV with this obverse legend is MIB 62A, the issue of 668 with facing bust holding globus cruciger. Upon the introduction of the three-quarter facing bust type in 669 the legend terminated with C CONST (Constantine citing his father Constans?), and after that the style deteriorated rapidly, the legend becoming corrupted. Hahn assigned MIB 63B and 63C to the first of these issues, leaving 63A open. Perhaps he assumed a first period legend would eventually be found with this issue?