Sasanian Occupation of Alexandria. Time of Heraclius. 618-628 AD. Æ 12 Nummi (16.94 gm). Alexandria mint. Crowned and draped bust of Khusru II facing, crown surmounted by cross within crescent; star in left field, crescent in right / Large I B (denomination); cross potent on globe between;
ALEX (retrograde). DOC II 192; MIB 202a; SB 856; Göbl, SN VII/8. Good VF, black patina. Very rare variety, and of exceptional grade for this issue. $395.
There are two varieties of this type, with and without a crescent in the crown. Those with the crescent are of a larger module and heavier on average. Also, they are far more rare; DOC records only one specimen of this variety, compared to 31 of the other. Additionally, Sear Byzantine lists their value practically double that of the more common variety.
