Revolt of the Heraclii. 608-610. AV Solidus (17mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Carthage mint. Dated IY 13 (AD 609/10). Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 660. Estimated: $ 7 500

Byzantine, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 12 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Revolt of the Heraclii. 608-610. AV Solidus (17mm, 4.45 g, 6h). Carthage mint. Dated IY 13 (AD 609/10). D N HЄRACΛI CONSVΛI IΓ, bareheaded busts of Heraclius the younger, beardless, and the exarch Heraclius, bearded, both wearing consular robes; cross above / VICTORIA CONSVΛI, cross potent set on three steps; IΓ//CONOB. DOC (3); MIBE 1; SB 710. Toned, a few small edge marks, short scuff on reverse. Good VF. Extremely rare, especially so for this date.

From the Best Collection of Byzantine Coins. Ex Hess-Divo 328 (22 May 2015), lot 328.

The episode known as the “Revolt of the Heraclii” marked one of the few times the East Roman Empire witnessed a “constitutional” coup d’etat. Phocas, a low-ranking officer in the Byzantine army, had seized power in AD 602, but within six years his incompetence in dealing with escalating crises had badly weakened the empire’s military position, crippled the economy, and alienated much of of society. Beginning in 608, the aged exarch of Africa and his son, both named Heraclius, began issuing coinage in opposition to Phocas at Carthage and Alexandria. This coinage named both Heraclii as consuls, an old Republican title that hadn’t been held by anyone outside the imperial family in nearly a century. The two men are shown without crowns or diadems and wearing consular robes, the age-old dress of office. By what authority the Heraclii held that title remains unclear; the Senate of Carthage could not legally bestow it, the Senate of Constantinople was under the thumb of Phocas, and the last recorded act of the Senate of Rome was to erect statues of Phocas and his wife Leontia in the Forum in AD 603. Still, even if self-appointed, the reticence of the Heraclii to claim the full imperial title and their adherence to old Republican forms bespeaks their respect for constitutional government, as opposed to the outright tyranny of Phocas. Aided by this “champions of the people” pose, the revolt gained support in the provinces and the younger Heraclius was ultimately able to enter Constantinople and depose Phocas in October of AD 610. The younger Heraclius was proclaimed emperor; the elder Heraclius passed away peacefully soon after receiving word of his son’s accession. The Carthage solidi of the Revolt of the Heraclii are far rarer than the Alexandria mint issues and are distinguished by the younger Heraclius, and future emperor, being depicted beardless.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Three – Lot 595-896 will be held Wednesday morning, 16 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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