|
Heraclius. 610-641. Æ 12 Nummi (16.5mm, 5.97 g, 6h). Alexandria mint. Struck 618-628. Crowned and cuirassed bust facing; star to left, crescent to right / Large I B, cross potent set on globe between; AΛЄΞ. DOC 191; MIB 202b; SB 855. Dark brown-green patina, edge split. VF. An attractive portrait.
From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Collection of Italo Vecchi (Roma E-Sale 77, 26 November 2020), lot 1487.
This issue was struck during the Sasanian occupation of Alexandria that occurred following Phocas’ overthrow of Maurice Tiberius. Byzantine Egypt was occupied by the Sasanians for a decade until Heraclius successfully negotiated for the occupying regional governor Shahrbarz to depart with his forces in an attempt to make a bid of the Sasanian throne with Heraclius’ backing. The portrait on this issue likely depicts the Sasanian King Khosrau II. For further discussion of this issue and of Khosrau (a Persian Zoroastrian) being paired with Christian iconography, see DOC II.1 p. 234.
Closing Date and Time: 13 August 2025 at 14:06:40 ET.
All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.
|
