ISLAMIC, Time of the Rashidun. Pseudo-Byzantine types. Fals (Bronze, 23 mm, 4.07 g, 6 h), imitating a EN T૪TO NIKA follis of Constans II, uncertain mint, circa AH 19-39 / AD 641-660. Imperial figure standing facing, wearing crown surmounted by cross, holding long cross in his right hand and globus cruciger in his left; in field to left, I/Є downwards; in field to right, T/I; above, star between waves.
Rev. Large m flanked by A/X and N/N/T; in exergue, IIΠI. Goodwin, Khalili Collection, p. 34, 5 (type E). Very fine.
From the collection of J. Knudsen, formed from the late 1970s to the late 1990s.
The Byzantine EN T૪TO NIKA ('in this [sign] conquer') issues, struck under Constans II in 641-648, commemorated the famous vision of a cross of light, which Constantine the Great allegedly saw in the night before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312.