Arab Imitation (c.685-90 A.D.), gold Solidus, 4.20g., crowned, draped busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine facing, rev. VICTORIA AVGUB, T with long shaft standing on four steps, CONOB in exergue (ANS MN 13 p.207, 2 var = Spink Zurich Auction 18 Feb 1986, lot no. 85, realised 41,000 SFr.), about extremely fine, the second recorded specimen

Details

Arab Imitation (c.685-90 A.D.), gold Solidus, 4.20g., crowned, draped busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine facing, rev. VICTORIA AVGUB, T with long shaft standing on four steps, CONOB in exergue (ANS MN 13 p.207, 2 var = Spink Zurich Auction 18 Feb 1986, lot no. 85, realised 41,000 SFr.), about extremely fine, the second recorded specimen

Lot Essay

This Arab Solidus copies the regular Byzantine issue (MIB II, 21; S.743). It is an extremely accurate copy, lacking of course all overt Christian attributes. On the obverse the cross in centre field and the bars on the crosses on the emperors' crowns are missing as is the bar of the cross-potent on the reverse. This is only the second known specimen with Heraclius with a short beard.