The Coin Cabinet
Auction 81 30 Apr 2023
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XF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 1/5 | BYZANTINE EMPIRE. Heraclius, 610-641.
Gold solidus, ND (610-641). Constantinople.
Heraclius came to the throne on the back of a rebellion against his predecessor, Phocas in 610. As Emperor, Heraclius inherited a host of problems both domestically and abroad. Within Constantinople, his marriage to his second cousin Martina was deeply unpopular as it was considered incestuous.
Elsewhere, Heraclius inherited a war with Sassanid Persia that came to be known as the "Last Great War of Antiquity". Despite winning the war, it was so destructive that it led to the mutual exhaustion of both Empires and the rise of a new one, the early Islamic Caliphate.
Considering this instability, it is no wonder that Heraclius included his son Heraclius Constantine's portrait on the obverse of his coinage, perhaps in an attempt to secure the succession once he had passed away.
On the reverse, the "cross on steps" iconography is continued, this cross supposedly symbolised a large monumental cross erected at Golgotha, Jerusalem, by Theodosius II around 420.
Facing busts of Heraclius, with moustache, short beard and tufts of hair at ears, on left, and Heraclius Constantine, busts almost same size, beardless on right, both wearing chlamys and simple crown with cross on circlet; cross between their heads.
Variant with long moustache, long beard. / Cross potent on three steps.
In secure plastic holder, graded NGC XF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 1/5, certification number 2136381-001.
NGC Census in this grade: 0, equal-finest graded.
Reference: Sear 739
Thickness: 21 mm.
Weight: 4.4 g.
Composition: Gold.
PLEASE NOTE: 18% Buyer Premium + VAT on this lot. No other fees, including live bidding. Delivery cost will be added to your order.
Gold solidus, ND (610-641). Constantinople.
Heraclius came to the throne on the back of a rebellion against his predecessor, Phocas in 610. As Emperor, Heraclius inherited a host of problems both domestically and abroad. Within Constantinople, his marriage to his second cousin Martina was deeply unpopular as it was considered incestuous.
Elsewhere, Heraclius inherited a war with Sassanid Persia that came to be known as the "Last Great War of Antiquity". Despite winning the war, it was so destructive that it led to the mutual exhaustion of both Empires and the rise of a new one, the early Islamic Caliphate.
Considering this instability, it is no wonder that Heraclius included his son Heraclius Constantine's portrait on the obverse of his coinage, perhaps in an attempt to secure the succession once he had passed away.
On the reverse, the "cross on steps" iconography is continued, this cross supposedly symbolised a large monumental cross erected at Golgotha, Jerusalem, by Theodosius II around 420.
Facing busts of Heraclius, with moustache, short beard and tufts of hair at ears, on left, and Heraclius Constantine, busts almost same size, beardless on right, both wearing chlamys and simple crown with cross on circlet; cross between their heads.
Variant with long moustache, long beard. / Cross potent on three steps.
In secure plastic holder, graded NGC XF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 1/5, certification number 2136381-001.
NGC Census in this grade: 0, equal-finest graded.
Reference: Sear 739
Thickness: 21 mm.
Weight: 4.4 g.
Composition: Gold.
PLEASE NOTE: 18% Buyer Premium + VAT on this lot. No other fees, including live bidding. Delivery cost will be added to your order.