Heraclius. AE 12 Nummi, 18mm, 10.06 g. Alexandria. Struck ca 
618-628 during the Sasanian Occupation, by Khusro II.

Cuirassed bust facing, crown with simple cross; star to 
left, star, crescent to right.
Large IB, cross potent on globe between. 

DOC 191; SB 855. Good VF, brown patina.

Domaszewicz and Bates' suggestion that these coins were
struck under Anastasius is unlikely, based on 
archaeological site finds and on stylistic grounds. Also,
the central cross placed on a globe only appears in the 
last phase of coin production at Alexandria, under 
Heraclius and Constans II. It is unlikely this feature 
would be used once and then disappear for almost a 
century before being revived. 

Estimate: $100
Scarce. 

With permission of cngcoins.com, Auction 200, lot 339, December 2008