26 Centuries of Gold
602-610 Phocas
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Coin Details
| Origin/Country: |
ANCIENT - BYZANTINE (5th CENT AD - 15th CENT AD) BYZANTINE EMPIRE Phocas, AD 602-610 |
| Item Description: |
AV Solidus Empire rv Angel hldg. P-cross obv facing bust |
| Full Grade: |
NGC MS Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5 |
| Owner: |
deposito |
Owner Comments:
This is one of the first kinds of gold coins I ever got starting 2009. I had a couple of these from Ebay and then sold them back to Ebay in 2018. Both were clipped. Phocas struck a lot of gold in a hurry, so it is not very elegant but there is tons of it and usually in mint state, albeit with issues. After a nearly 300 year beard hiatus, Phocas resurrected the bearded emperor portrait on Byzantine coinage. Julian in the mid 300's, and before him Diocletian in the 280's to early 300's, were the last guys to appear bearded before Phocas in 602.
Phocas was a usurper who deposed Maurice Tiberius. Phocas was himself overthrown by Heraclius, whose progeny sat on the throne until a fresh round of usurpation got Justinian mutilated and put in a monestary.