Coin — Emperor Heraclius with his sons Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, Constantinople, ca. 630
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 630
Coin in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number A.2-1964), made in Constantinople, dated ca. 630. The museum's brief description reads: Coin, Gold Solidus, gold, Emperor Heraclius with his sons Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, Byzantine (Constantinople), ca. 630. Museum description: Small gold coin. The obverse depicts the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius with his sons on either side: on his right - Heraclius Constantine and on his left - Heraclonas. Heraclius has a moustacher and long beard, his sons are clean shaven. On the reverse is a cross on three steps, an inscription and mint marks. The museum records it as Gold, measuring Diameter 1.9 cm; Depth 0.2 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
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.
Historical context
This coin was minted at a time of considerable insecurity in the Byzantine Empire. The three rulers depicted presided over a catalogue of military defeats and inglorious internecine conflict. Heraclius siezed power in the Byzantine Empire, when he arrived from Africa with a fleet to overthrow the Emperor Phokas. On taking power Haeraclius found the empire in trouble: the Slavs and the Avars were invading the northern Balkans; while the Persians exerted severe pressure on the eastern frontier and partisans of the deposed Phokas rose in revolt. Heraclius considered moving the capital from Constantinople to Carthage, but abandoned the plan at the request of the population of Constantinople. The crisis reached a climax in 626 when the Persians reached the Bosphorous and together with the Kahn of the Avars besieged Constantinople. The siege ended in failure and both armies retreated. Heraclius was able to invade Persia in the next year and re-captured the True Cross, which had been taken by the Persians. The success was temporary, the Arabs regrouped and invaded Syria imposing a crushing defeat on the Byzantine army at Yarmuk in 636. On his death in 641 his two sons Heraclius Constantine and his half-brother Heraclonas inherited the throne as co-rulers. Heraclius Constantine was plagued by ill-health and the opposition of his step-mother Martina. He failed to defend Egypt from Arab attacks and on his death (possibly the result of poisoning by his step-mother) Heraclius…
Physical characteristics
- Material
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter 1.9 cm; Depth 0.2 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Gold
- Place recorded
- Constantinople
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- 'VICTORIA AVGYO'; 'CONOB'
Identification
- Museum object name
- Coin
- Museum object number
- A.2-1964
- Museum system number
- O128638
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- 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.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.