Martina on left, Heraclius, bearded, in centre, and Heraclius Constantine, on right, standing facing, all crowned and cuirassed, all holding cross on globe, cross to left and right of Heraclius' head / Large M, P on h type monogram to left, ANNO above, regnal year to right, officina letter below; mintmark CON. 26mm, 6.32 grams. Constantinople mint. SB 808, MIB 162a-b.

Heraclius was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641 CE and one of the most important rulers of the early Byzantine period. He overthrew the unpopular emperor Phocas and inherited an empire threatened by the Sasanians, who captured Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. After years of setbacks, Heraclius launched a remarkable counteroffensive, defeating the Persians and recovering the lost territories by 628. Heraclius also reorganized the empire’s government and military and promoted Greek increasingly in imperial administration, helping shape the transition from the late Roman to the medieval Byzantine Empire.