PHOCAS and LEONTIA 602-610 - Lot 139

PHOCAS and LEONTIA 602-610 ∂ N FOCAS N PЄ AV. Phocas and Leontia standing frontally. Phocas is diademed and holds a cruciger globe. Leontia is crowned and nimbed and holds a cruciform scepter. Between them, a cross. R/. Large letter m between ANN-I. Under a baseline, THЄUP'. Grenetis on obverse and reverse. ** Sear 671 Follis of 40 nummi (bronze) struck at Theoupolis (Antioch) in 602-603. Very rare in this state of preservation. Wide flan. Brown patina. Superb condition. Exemplary JVN sale (May 1998) n°183 Empress Leontia was born in the 6th century. Before her accession to the throne, she married Phocas, then a non-commissioned officer on the Danube limes, at an unknown date. The imperial couple usurped the throne thanks to an army revolt.