d M hERACLS around cross potent on one or two steps, sometimes with globes on ends of arms / Large S. 12mm, 2.20 grams. Alexandria mint. SB 862, DOC 198.

Rare.

Heraclius (r. 610–641 CE) was one of the most important Byzantine emperors, renowned for rescuing the empire from near collapse during its war with the Sasanian Empire. After a series of brilliant campaigns, he defeated the Persians and recovered territories and relics lost during their invasions, including the True Cross from Jerusalem. However, the empire was soon confronted by the rapid expansion of the early Muslim armies, which conquered Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and other provinces during the latter part of his reign. Heraclius also introduced Greek as the principal language of imperial administration, marking the transition from the late Roman Empire to the more distinctly Byzantine state of the Middle Ages.