Maurice Tiberius (AD 582-602). AV solidus (18mm, 4.49 gm, 7h). NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5. Carthage, dated Indictional Year 1, 2nd cycle (AD 597/8). D N mAVRI-C Tb PP AN A, pearl-diademed, crested helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, globus cruciger in right hand / VICTORI-A AVGG A (indictional year 1), Angel standing facing, long staff surmounted by staurogram in right hand, globus cruciger in left; CONOB in exergue. Sear 549. An attractive portrait in the typical bold Carthaginian style. The early history of the Byzantine mint at Carthage is closely tied to political and military activity in the region. Justinian began minting gold coinage at Carthage soon after Africa's reconquest from the Vandals, but following the final defeat of the Moorish uprising in AD 548, many troops were withdrawn and the production of solidi was halted. Very few gold coins were struck in Carthage until Maurice came to the throne in AD 582. Concerned with the defense of Justinian's reconquered Western possessions, he created the Exarchate system in Africa and Italy, which stipulated that these important regions would be governed semi-autonomously by a military figure. The creation of the Exarchate of Africa meant that its capital of Carthage struck an ever-increasing number of gold solidi, and the semi-autonomous nature of the Exarchate allowed the gold coins of Carthage to gradually develop both a globular shape and a distinct (and in some cases more refined) style compared with the issues of Constantinople.

HID09801242017

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