Byzantine Empire under the Hereclian dynasty 610-695 A.D.

Heraclius, the first Emperor in this dynasty ruled from 5th October 610 to 11th February 641.

After the division in the Roman Empire in 395 A.D, the city of Byzantium was rebuilt and renamed Constantinople by Constantine the Great in 330 A.D. This great city was to become the administrative centre of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Heraclius reign was marked by several military campaigns. The Empire was threatened on multiple frontiers.

Byzantine - Sasanian War 602-628.

The Persian army fought their way to the Bosphorus, their advance halted by the imposing high walls protecting Constantinople, and the strong Byzantine navy. Heraclius avoided total defeat and rebuilt and strengthened the military and then managed to push the Persians out of Asia Minor and back into their territory, culminating in a decisive victory in 627 at the Battle of Nineveh. Heraclius then had to confront the Rashidun Caliphate from the Arabian Peninsula, these invaders conquered the remaining Sasanian empire and consequently, Heraclius lost the regained lands. 

The coin featured is a Tremissis or trimis, a small gold coin of Late Antiquity, the name means "a third of a unit", and the semissis was half a unit. These coins were introduced into the Roman currency in 380's by Emperor Theodosius I and were minted into the reign of Leo II (717-741).

The featured coin was struck between 613-641 A.D. at Constantinople.

Obverse: Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Heraclius. Legend: dn hERACLIVS T PP AVG.

Reverse: Cross potent. Legend: VICTORIA AYGY S/CONOB.

EF for the issue, reverse with die weak area.

DOC 54, SB 787.