Heraclius, 610-641. Follis (Bronze, 32 mm, 15.22 g, 6 h), Jerusalem, RY 4 = October 613-May 614. D Һ hЄRACL' P P AVC Crowned and bearded bust of Heraclius facing, wearing consular robes, holding mappa in his right hand and eagle-tipped scepter in his left. Rev. Large M between A/N/N/O and II/II; above, cross; below, X C NIKA. DOC -. MIB, pl. 14, X28. SB 852C. A very rare and historically important issue. Areas of weakness, otherwise, nearly very fine.


Our coin was struck during the short period of time between October 613, the beginning of the fourth year of Heraclius' reign, and May 614, when the city of Jerusalem fell into the hands of the Persians. After twenty days of siege the Sasanian troops, under the command of the fearsome general Shahrbaraz, stormed the city and massacred a large part of its inhabitants.