Phocas, 602-610. Trial Strike (?) (Lead, 37 mm, 66.48 g, 12 h), a lead form with the imprints of a follis of Phocas from Cyzicus, RY 7 = AD 609. Crowned bust of Phocas facing, wearing consular robes, holding mappa in his right hand and cross in his left; all in a deep incuse. Rev. Large XXXX in center; above, ANNO; below, KYZ A; in field to right, ЧII; all incuse. Cf. DOC 75a, MIB 76 and SB 665 (for prototype). A very peculiar and interesting piece. About very fine.


At first glance, one may suspect this unusual item to be a forger's casting mold. However, these were not produced in metal (and certainly not in lead, which has a very low melting point) as they were supposed to be broken apart in the process to free the cast coins. Furthermore, the reverse is not recessed. Thus, we are left guessing what the purpose of this piece was - perhaps it was a trial strike to test the making of transfer dies by hammering a coin into a heated piece of metal?