Got this also from HJB's pick bin. Obviously, it's not in good shape, but I thought it is interesting to have a coin that shows how the quality of coins had decreased during the late empire. The coinage of Phocas is plentiful in lower denominations, often in crude style, while the solidi were produced with better workmanship. Many lower denominations were made by overstriking directly on older coins. I think there are traces of overstriking on the obverse and reverse of this coin. It would be awesome if someone could tell what the undertype is? Bithynia, Nikomedia, 608 - 609 AD 30.4 x 30.2 mm; 12.235 g DOC Vol. 2, Phocas to Theodosius, Nicomedia, pp 176 – 178, Follis Class II, Consular bust, 56 – 60; SB 658 Ob.: (DN FOCA PⲈR AVς) Facing bust of Phocas, wearing crown with pendilia and consular robes; holding mappa in r. hand and cross in l. hand. Rev.: ANNO XXXX in exergue, NIKOA at r.
That's a very interesting example. I do see on the reverse what I think is the ending of the obverse legend of the overstruck coin: PPAV, and the lower portion of what seems to be a cuirassed portrait, based on the photo. That could make the under-coin one of Justinian I's, Tiberius II Constantine's or Maurice Tiberius' issues, which is a very wide net. I would lean towards Maurice Tiberius, Phocas' predecessor. Phocas was motivated to obliterate references to Maurice Tiberius following that emperor's execution in 602 AD. I'm thinking the under-coin is generally something like this (not my coin): Maurice Tiberius, follis, Constantinople, year 8 (A.D. 590-591) 11,8 grams - 30 mm
