Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 1378. Estimate $400.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $1300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CONSTANS II. 641-668 AD. AV Solidus (4.47 gm, 7h). Constantinople mint. Struck 663-668 AD. VICTORIA AVGU, facing bust with long beard, wearing crown with plume and chlamys, holding globus cruciger A / Tiberius, Constantine, and Heraclius standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys, holding globus cruciger; CONOB. DOC II 42a; MIB III 41; SB 974. Superb EF. Rare. ($400)

A remarkable coin type, lacking any legend referring to the reigning emperor. Constans, tired, bitter and a bit paranoid after years of intrigue in the court at Constantinople, moved his capital to Syracuse in 663, where he spent the rest of his reign antagonizing the Italians. Although Constantinople retained the court mint, its solidi did not bear the name of the unpopular emperor who was not in residence.