BYZANTINE EMPIRE.CYPRUS.Heraclius AD 610-641.AE.Follis AD 626-627.
( 4.83g, 25mm, 6h)
Threestanding figures, Heraclius in centre to his right Martina� ( hisniece-bride ) and to his left Heraclius Constantine ( his son ).
Reverse.Uncial letter M, to left downwards ANN(O) to right downwards regnal year X / IY / I I� ( = year 18 AD 627/628) between limbs of M officina letter Γ
( third officina ) above Heraclian monogram and in exergue mint-signature (ΚΥΠΡ')
Ref: prototype Sear 849.
Very fine for issue, earthen deposits in fields.
Imitations bearing regnal years 18 and 19 and Heraclius; monogram are rarer than the more common regnal year 17 usually with cross above M.
Thiscoin was most probably struck in an area that is modern day Syria; aplethora of imitations were put into circulation during the early days when the Arabs controlled the region; espcially follesbearing the Cypriot mint-signature were singled out for copying in preference to other issues.