Revolt of the Heraclii, 608-610. Follis (Bronze, 30 mm, 10.85 g, 6 h), Cyprus, RY 3 = AD 610. δm N ЄRACLIO CONSULII Bust of Heraclius, wearing short beard, crown with pendilia and consular robes, on the left, and bust of the Exarch Heraclius, wearing long beard, crown with pendilia and consular robes, on the right; between their heads, cross. Rev. Large M between A/N/N/O and III; above, cross; below, A; in exergue, KVΠPOV. DOC 18. MIB 18. SB 725. Extremely rare. An unusually attractive example of this historically interesting issue. Retoned and slightly rough, and the reverse somewhat double struck, otherwise, good very fine.



Heraclius the Elder was a successful Byzantine general of Armenian descent who rose to prominence during the later stages of the Roman-Persian War of 572-591. In 595, Emperor Maurice Tiberius appointed him magister militum per Armeniam and tasked him with suppressing the revolt of Samuel Vahewuni and Atat Khorkhoruni. This episode is recorded by the 7th-century Armenian bishop and historian Sebeos, who thus briefly illuminates Heraclius’s early career due to its intersection with Armenian affairs.

Heraclius next appears in 608, by which time he was serving as Exarch of Africa. Together with his son, the future Emperor Heraclius the Younger, he decided to bring the resources of the Exarchate to bear in an effort to overthrow Emperor Phocas. The stated motive behind the Revolt of the Heraclii was their loyalty to the previous emperor, Maurice Tiberius, who had been overthrown and executed by Phocas in 602. However, the failures of Phocas’s reign, coupled with the personal ambitions of the Heraclii, likely played a significant role in their decision. In a highly unusual move, the Heraclii initially refrained from claiming the imperial title and instead assumed a joint consulship.

The coinage associated with the Revolt of the Heraclii is primarily attributed to Egypt - though whether it originated in Alexandria or Alexandretta remains a matter of debate - where the general Niketas, a cousin of Heraclius, led a successful campaign against Phocas’s forces between 608 and 610. Given the progressive eastern advances of the rebel troops, it is assumed that coins were also struck at mobile mints, which remain difficult to localize. The piece discussed here, however, bears the clear mintmark KVΠPOV, identifying Cyprus. Folles from Cyprus are among the rarest coinage associated with the Revolt of the Heraclii and are much rarer than their Egyptian counterparts.