Byzantine Gold Solidus of Emperor Phocas, Constantinople
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 602 to 610 CE
This Byzantine gold solidus dates to the reign of Emperor Phocas (ca. 602–610 CE) and was minted in Constantinople. Struck from high-purity gold, approximately 97% or 23K+, the coin weighs 4.4 grams and measures 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter.
The obverse depicts a frontal portrait of Emperor Phocas, who is shown crowned and draped, holding a globus cruciger, which symbolizes Christian imperial authority. This portrait is surrounded by the inscription "DN FOCAS PERP AVG," an abbreviation for "Dominus Noster Phocas Perpetuus Augustus" (Our Lord Phocas, Forever Augustus). The reverse features a standing winged Victory facing forward, holding a long cross and a globus cruciger, accompanied by the legend "VICTORIA AVGG" (Victory of the Emperors).
The exergue includes the "CONOB" mint mark, confirming its production in Constantinople. This solidus represents early 7th-century Byzantine numismatic art, serving simultaneously as a standard of monetary exchange and a powerful political emblem of the emperor's divine mandate and legitimacy within the Byzantine Empire.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 4.4 grams
- Diameter
- 0.8 inch (2 cm)
- Material
- Gold (97% / 23K+)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Constantinople
- Denomination
- Solidus
Design
- Obverse
- Frontal portrait of Phocas, crowned and draped, holding a globus cruciger
- Reverse
- Winged Victory standing, holding a long cross and globus cruciger
- Inscriptions
- Obverse: DN FOCAS PERP AVG; Reverse: VICTORIA AVGG; Exergue: CONOB
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.