Description
Constantinus IV ‘the Younger’, Byzantine Emperor of the Heraclian Dynasty 668-685 AD, Gold Solidus (4.34g, 19mm), Constantinople mint 674-681 AD. Obverse: Pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Constantine IV facing forward, boasting a beard and wielding spear and shield; his weapon extends behind and his shield, which is decorated with a horseman motif, rests on his left shoulder, legend surrounds, “∂N CONI T NЧS P”. Reverse: Cross Potent set on three steps at centre flanked by the standing figures of co-emperor Heraclius and Tiberius I, each beardless and wearing crown and chlamys and holding globus cruciger, mintmark “CONOB” below, legend surrounds, “VICTOA ΛVςЧ Δ”. Sear-1154. An attractive piece of Constantine IV featuring a powerful and typically ‘wild’ style portrait – certainly a defining interpretation of the pervasive facing busts of late Roman / early Byzantine solidi, the reverse design is fortunately quite clear despite the slightly rusty die, and the legend rather legible, a fact not often the case with many types, some minor obverse graffiti, otherwise details good Extremely Fine, reverse Extremely Fine.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “Dominus Noster, Constantinus, Perpetuus”, translating to “Our Lord, Constantine the perpetual”. The Reverse Latin legend reads “Victōria Augustōrum” followed by the 4th officina letter “Δ”, translating to “Victory of the Augusti”.