Heraclius, with Heraclius Constantine, 610-641. Follis (Bronze, 28 mm, 5.57 g, 7 h), Arab Byzantine war issue. Military mint in Palestine, likely Neapolis (Nablus), RY 25 = 634/5. Heraclius, on the left, standing facing in military attire, with moustache and long beard, wearing crown surmounted by cross, holding long cross in his right hand; on the right, Heraclius Constantine standing facing, short bearded, wearing crown surmounted by cross and chlamys, holding globus cruciger in his right hand; between their heads, K. Rev. Large M between A/N/N/O and XX/Ч; below, N; in exergue, CON. DOC -. MIB X23 var. (for CON in exergue). SB -. Unpublished with this mint mark. About very fine.

This fascinating issue was struck in 634/5 by a military mint in Palestine, likely Neapolis (Nablus), as some examples carry the letter N on the reverse, while others expand this to NEA (see lot 1582). Whether the mint itself was set up permanently in Neapolis or moved around with the army during the war against the Arab Invaders is unclear, but the Roman rule in Palestine came to an abrupt end soon thereafter, in 636, following the disastrous defeat inflicted upon Heraclius by the Arabs in the Battle of Yarmouk