MAURICE TIBERIUS, 582-602 AD. AV, Solidus. Constantinople.
Obv: D N MAVRC – TIB P P AVC
Frontal bust of Maurice in cuirass and helmet with plume, circlet in front, and pendilia. Globus cruciger in right hand, fold of paludamentum over left shoulder.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGG S / CONOB.
Frontal view of standing angel holding long staff with staurogram at the top in right hand and globus cruciger in left hand.
Sear 478.
Condition: Very fine.
Weight: 4.47 g.
Diameter: 22.20 mm.

Tiberios Constantine’s successor in the post of Count of the Excubitors, then as caesar and emperor, Maurice attempted to adapt Justinian’s empire to changing financial and strategic realities. Earlier in his career Maurice had achieved notable successes in the East against the Persians, one of the few Byzantine commanders to do so for some time.
Byzantine success was seriously undermining Avar strength and their confederation looked to be close to collapse. Then in 602, to save money, Maurice ordered his troops to winter north of the Danube, in enemy territory. The troops rebelled and marched on Constantinople, where, with the help of the circus factions, they overthrew and killed Maurice after murdering his sons.
There is a peculiar fluidity in the order of his names on the seals and coins; the majority read “Mauricius Tiberius,” but a few reverse it to “Tiberius Mauricius.”