Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine. 610-641. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.38 g, 7h). Carthage(?) mint. Dated IY 2 (613/14). VF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 949. Estimated: $ 1 500

Byzantine, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 3 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine. 610-641. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.38 g, 7h). Carthage(?) mint. Dated IY 2 (613/14). D N ЄRACLIVS Єτ ЄRA CONSτ PP, crowned and draped facing busts of Heraclius, wearing beard, and Heraclius Constantine, beardless; cross above / VICTORI A AVGG, cross potent set on three steps; B//CONOB. Cf. DOC 211 (for small module series); MIB 92a; SB 867; W. Hahn, “Some Unusual Gold Coins of Heraclius and Their Mint Attribution” in NumCirc LXXXV.12 (December 1977), Group B (African prefecture). Lightly toned, flip over rotated double strike on obverse, graffito on reverse. VF. Very rare.

This series of broad flan solidi, tentatively attributed to Carthage, are from an interesting series. While Carthage is known to have extensively struck the small globular flan solidi, this series is quite rare and is instead struck on broad flans. The broad flan coins, however, do exhibit North African stylistic differences compared to other solidi series. Consulting from MIB III pl. 5 is a helpful tool for examining these two series concurrently. Dated by indiction years as with the small flan series, this specimen is dated to IY 2. Hahn further discussed this series in his 1977 article where we explained that “there are ... some rare solidi of certain Cathaginian fabric but of larger size ... But we can deduce from the fabric of the coins the dies were certainly produced in Carthage if not the coins themselves. The find evidence ... points to Africa” (Hahn, 537-8).

However, some still find the Carthage attribution doubtful and consider it unlikely for there to be two distinctly different series minted at the same time and location (see DOC II.1 p. 43 and SB 867 note). Sear noted that until better evidence becomes available, it seems most prudent to continue listing them alongside the small flan Carthage solidi on stylistic grounds. Ultimately, this example belongs to a rare series characterized by charming dies. It is also a series that is likely to be the subject of further study.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session Three – Lot 648–983 will be held Wednesday morning, 10 January 2024 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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