Byzantine Empire, Phokas (602-610) AV Solidus, (22mm, 4.49g) Constantinople, NGC MS

Description

Phocas AV Solidus

Type: AV Solidus
Date: AD 602-610
Dimensions: 22mm
Weight: 4.49 g
Mint: Constantinople, 9th Officina
Catalog References: MIBE 9; DOC 10i; SB 620
Grade: NGC MS

Obverse:

• Design: Draped and cuirassed bust of Phocas facing, wearing a crown without pendilia and holding a globus cruciger (a globe topped with a cross).
• Legend: D N PHOKAS PERP AVG (Dominus Noster Phocas Perpetuus Augustus)

Reverse:

• Design: Angel standing facing, holding a staff surmounted by a staurogram (a Christian monogram) and a globus cruciger.
• Legend: VICTORIA AVGG (Victory of the Augusti)
• Exergue: CONOB (indicating the Constantinople mint)

Condition:

• Surface: Lustrous and quite brilliant, with a detailed strike that highlights the coin’s high-quality craftsmanship.

Historical Context:

Emperor Phocas (AD 602-610): Phocas was a Byzantine Emperor whose reign was marked by significant upheaval and instability. He came to power after a coup d’état that deposed Emperor Maurice. Phocas’ rule was characterized by internal strife, military defeats, and dissatisfaction among the populace and the elite.

Phocas’ reign saw conflicts with the Sassanian Empire, which resulted in territorial losses for the Byzantine Empire. His administration faced numerous challenges, including rebellion and unrest, which eventually led to his overthrow by Heraclius in 610. Despite his controversial rule, the solidus from his reign reflects the continued use of traditional Roman imperial iconography, with its emphasis on the emperor’s divine right and the symbolic representation of victory.

The coin exemplifies the continuity of Byzantine coinage traditions and serves as a testament to the empire’s resilience and the enduring power of its symbols during a tumultuous period.

For further information, please call 212 3191077.