Numismatic Auction #20

PERSIAN OCCUPATION OF SYRIA: "Heraclius & Constantine ", 610-629, AE follis (10.30g), "CONOB ", year 12, Pottier-47, same dies as Pottier-47.5, officina B, usual weakness, crude VF. Antioch was conquered by the Persian armies in October 610 and held for nearly 19 years, until the summer of 629. Coins were struck at their established mint, presumably Antioch (Theoupolis), imitating contemporary Byzantine copper coins, mostly commonly types of Heraclius & Constantine, but also some earlier types of Justin II & Sophia, Maurice Tiberius and Phocus. They bear regnal years that are thought to represent the regnal years of Heraclius, but undoubtedly they were meager attempts to have a "year ", as widespread die matches prove that the "years " are utterly inaccurate. The group here represents only the issues imitating types of Heraclius.