Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
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Constans II, with Constantine IV, Heraclius, and Tiberius. 641-668. AV Solidus (20mm, 4.44 g, 6h). Syracuse mint. Struck circa 668. Crowned facing busts of Constans, with long beard, and Constantine, beardless, each wearing chlamys; cross above / Cross potent set on three steps, flanked by crowned facing figures of Heraclius, on left, and Tiberius, on right, each wearing chlamys and holding globus cruciger; Γ• at end of legend; CONOB(triple pellets). Cf. DOC 162 (for obverse type); MIB pl. 23 (same dies); cf. Anastasi 222 (Constantine IV; for reverse); cf. SB 1202 (same). Lustrous, a few light scratches and marks, some light deposits. Good VF. Extremely rare. Only two known examples.
An extremely rare late Constans II die-pair was thought by Hahn in MIB to be a hybrid with a reverse die known to Constantine IV. Alternatively, this reverse die may have originally been used for Constans with the reverse die simply continuing in usage into the reign of Constantine IV. Given that this reverse die is known for Constans II from only two examples, it is probable that it was issued in Syracuse very late into Constans II's reign, and ceased production immediately upon his death.
An extremely rare late Constans II die-pair was thought by Hahn in MIB to be a hybrid with a reverse die known to Constantine IV. Alternatively, this reverse die may have originally been used for Constans with the reverse die simply continuing in usage into the reign of Constantine IV. Given that this reverse die is known for Constans II from only two examples, it is probable that it was issued in Syracuse very late into Constans II's reign, and ceased production immediately upon his death.