Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine. 610-641. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.48 g, 6h). Uncertain secondary mint, uncertain (1st or 4th) officina. Struck 613-circa 616. Near EF.

Electronic Auction 571 – Session 2
Lot: 1244.
Closing Date: Sep 26 2024 10:00 ET

Byzantine, Gold

Estimate: $ 400

BID NOW

Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine. 610-641. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.48 g, 6h). Uncertain secondary mint, uncertain (1st or 4th) officina. Struck 613-circa 616. Crowned facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, both wearing chlamys; cross above / Cross potent set on four steps; Δ//CONOB. DOC –; MIB –; SB –; cf. W. Hahn, “Some Unusual Gold Coins of Heraclius and Their Mint Attribution” in NumCirc LXXXV.12 (December 1977), pp. 536-9 (for discussion). Toned, light scuffs, deposits. Near EF.

From the Ramrodivs Collection, purchased from Harlan J. Berk.

A very interesting solidus of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine. This solidus belongs to the first three year period of Heraclius Constantine being associated with his father based on his portrait. However, despite useful scholarship covering Heraclius’ secondary mints, this particular solidus does not appear to fit well in any of the secondary mints the following reasons: Thessalonica (R letter form; bust style); Africa (flan fabric; bust style); Group C (probably Sicily; bust style); Group D (perhaps Sicilian; as previous); Sicily (type); uncertain Cypriot mint (bust style); Alexandria (as previous); Jerusalem (differences in type including: usually an exergual line below the busts and varying terminal letters on the reverse; also distinctive style); Ravenna (flan fabric, distinctive dies and style).

Between these choices, perhaps the closet stylistically would be Hahn’s uncertain Cypriot mint attribution, but even this possibility has its difficulties. Namely, the chlamyses on this coin are cut significantly differently than the “Cypriot” examples.

In conclusion, this coin features a distinct charming style based upon the early “elaborate crown” Constantinopolitan type (SB 734) though with distinctly different dies making its definite mint attribution impossible at this time.

Closing Date and Time: 26 September 2024 at 11:21:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.