I finally got Heraclius from Thessalonica!

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I happened to be perusing a dealer's new additions, and something just didn't look right (in a good way) about this coin.  It was misattributed as S805.  I thought to myself, 'These figures don't look right for Constantinople,' and I noticed the E in the mintmark.  What could it be?  A coin I always wanted, S824!

Attribution: Sear Byzantine 824 Thessalonica mint
Date: AD 610-641
Obverse: HЄRAC...Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine standing facing, each wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger
Reverse: Large M, A/N/N/O to left, cross above, uncertain year to right, uncertain (officina) below; probably Theta E C in exergue
Size: 34.54mm
Weight: 8.31 grams

The colored bits are parts I altered from the original description.

 

This is a bit more worn than I normally see these (the few I've seen are not very worn), but was a no-brainer at the snack price.  I rarely see these turn up on vcoins.

it's more attractive than the photo suggests, being almost black in color.

Wanting an inexpensive add-on, I trawled around and found this Probus at a snack price.  It's also a good deal more attractive than the photo. It's actually the first consular Probus in my collection.

Attribution: RIC Vii 202 Rome
Date: AD 278
Obverse: IMP PRO-BVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust left, holding eagle-tipped scepter
Reverse: SO-L-I INVIC-TO, Sol driving quadriga left, R ∪ S in exergue
Size: 22.65mm
Weight: 3.52 grams

 

Feel free to post any Thessalonican Heraclii.

[ela126]

Very nice, as you point out, the E in the mint mark is definitely the indicator it is Thessalonica.

Here is my little group, rather proud of them. The 3/4 is the star of the show as the MM is clear that it’s Thessalonica and not as mistaken CON. Quite a short lived issue, likely only a few months before the fall of Thessalonica.

The portraits on the follis and half are quite pleasant. I also very much like the sizing as it properly reduces (well at least flan diameter). Weights are 11.01, 4.80, and 3.69g respectively.

Edited December 19, 2024 by ela126

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Those are quite nice.  Thessalonica seems to have the same phenomenon as Seleucia/Isaura, generally finding teh folles in relatively unworn condition.  Seleucia/Isaura seem to be way more common in fixed price trade, however.

Its hard enough to find a Constantinople issue with a face, yet alone VF or XF.

[CPK]

Great find @Nerosmyfavorite68 and an attractive coin! Congrats!

[ela126]

7 hours ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

Seleucia/Isaura seem to be way more common in fixed price trade, however.

Its hard enough to find a Constantinople issue with a face, yet alone VF or XF.

I've noticed that Seleucia seems to have become quite a bit more common in the lower end biddr auctions, both for the half bust and full length examples. Quality varies but you can get a half decent specimen without huge difficulty these days. I have the half bust one in "good enough" condition.

100% agree with you on the Constantinople issue, most are quite awful. ive seen a few decent ones in auction and they command pretty strong money, because everyone realizes what kind of rarity it is, despite being a common coin in bad condition.