Pepperdine University Libraries The John Wilson Coin Collection - Ancient Coins of the Holy Land [digital resource], Pepperdine University Special Collections and University Archives
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Description
This coin marks the last of the Christianity in the Byzantium for some time. Minted in Jordan, this coin plainly gives reverence to Heraclius, the King, and Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium. It was minted around the time of Muhammad’s death, just before the rise of Islam began to spread and conquer their surrounding territory. This movement would correlate with the rise in power of Mu’awiya but before he established the Umayyad Dynasty. Heraclius Jordan Gold (Au) 20 mm 6 4.31 g On the obverse are three figures thought to be Heraclius in the center crowned with a long moustache and long beard, Heraclonas crowned on the right and Heraclius Constantine crowned, beardless on the right, all of them wearing the loose robes typically worn by Christian priests and holding a cross on a globe. The reverse depicts the symbol of the True Cross held up on top of three steps. Circumambulating the depiction of the cross and steps are the words, all in Greek, “Victory of the Emperors; fine gold, Constantinople.” Victory of the Emperor fine gold Constantinople
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