I just picked up this Byzantine follis from a Heritage Ebay auction (seller's photos attached). It was cheap and I couldn't resist adding another ancient to my collection. It was minted in Constantinople in Year 11 of the reign of Heraclius which would be around 621-622 AD. The obverse shows Heraclius with Constantinus and Martina. I couldn't find an exact match on ACSearch but quite a few similar ones. Definitely much cruder minting technology than the earlier Roman Imperial issues. Any feedback would be appreciated. Not sure about rarity or value.
Well, I'm less familiar with Byzantine coins than some others----although I have a small gold coin of Heraclius....but I'm sure those more involved with the type will post before too long.. Can you brighten up the photo a bit and show more details???
I have a follis of Heraclius. It isn't the most beautiful coin either and was pretty cheap(I think $10 or $15) and is overstruck on another coin, but it is a pretty cool chunk of bronze: Heraclius, Follis (40 Nummi), Constantinople, 610-641 AD, OBVERSE: No legend. Heraclius, crowned and in military attire, with moustache and long beard, holding long cross, on left and Heraclius Constantine, crowned and wearing chlamys, with short beard, holding cross on globe and scepter, on right, both standing facing. REVERSE: Large M, ANNO to left, Gamma (third officina) underneath, uncertain regnal year to right, CON in exergue. Overstruck on: Follis (40 Nummi), Nicomedia, uncertain obverse. REVERSE: Large M, ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year I or II? to right, NIKO in exergue
It cost less than NGC's standard grading fee. The slab looks brand new so I'm pretty sure Heritage sent it in with a bulk submission. They probably get a good deal. Still, I don't see how anyone made money on it as they even included free shipping via priority mail.
This is a perfectly acceptable and average example of a common coin. Leave it in the slab and enjoy it. I heard a rumor at Baltimore that NGC has a new ancients grader. Is David Vagi out of the loop or is business so good that they have a staff of subordinates for lesser coins?
this was the first coin i picked up at a coin show, it's heraclius from syracuse. i think t's overstuck on a coin of your type, you can see martina horizontal on mine with hear head on the right.
If you need a catalog number and description for your coin, it is Sear Byzantine 806, Hahn Moneta Imperi Byzantini 161: Heraclius, Heraclius Constantine and Martina, AE Follis. Constantinople. 610-641 AD. Martina on left, Heraclius, bearded, in centre, and Heraclius Constantine, on right, standing facing, all crowned and cuirassed, all holding cross on globe, cross to left and right of Heraclius' head / Large M, ANNO to left, cross above, year (III and later) to right, officina letter below; mintmark CON.
NGC's bulk grading is $20 and I wonder if Heritages gets even better rates in exchange for pushing NGC slabs. HA's buyer's premium is 17.5% but with a minimum of $14, so they probably don't lose too much with such coins... and having such loss leaders whets collectors' appetites.
Such 40-nummi coins of Heraclius with one of his sons or incest-wife of Martina can be purchased for around 10-20 Euro. They are often crude for whatever reason. I paid 10 Euro for my fixed-priced Heraclius and one of his son, definitely overstruck giving the “X”(Phocas?): And then a front face Kyzikos-minted where I paid 22 Euro in bid:
Struck over a previously issue of Heraclius. The coins of that period are usually pretty crude. One can make a career studying the coins of Heraclius, especially those with Islamic counter marks. It appears to be a year eleven, "A" or first officina (mint building or room) where it was struck. Hey man, enjoy the coin and the adventure of looking at something different. Just another stop on the numismatic express.
By the way, the Sear catalogue number is 806 as Martina is on the right of Heraclius. Dunbarton Oaks Collection number is 92.
Here's mine, but with the figures on the obverse arranged differently and hence a different Sear no. Nicomedia mint. Obv: Heraclius center, Heraclius Constantine r., & Empress Martina l., stg. facing. Rev: Large M; to l., monogram; above, ANNO & cross; to right, regnal year XS (16); beneath, officina number B; in exergue, NIKO. Berk 560, DOC 165v (unlisted officina), Sear 836.
That is a good example of what I find interesting about the Ancients forum. There is so much variety that you could say the same about pretty much any series. Every new coin acquisition that's posted starts a whole new thread, even a common one like my OP. In US numismatics there are series such as Bust halves and early large cents that are extensively catalogued, but now I realize the extent to which those are only scratching the surface of what's out there. The same would apply to medieval and early modern issues of many countries, the UK being one of the first to come to mind.
