Maurice Tiberius (AD 582-602). AV solidus (19mm, 4.41 gm, 6h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 5/5. Carthage, dated Indictional Year 13 (AD 594-5). D N mAVRI-C Tb PP AV AN IΓ (Indictional year 13), pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Maurice Tiberius facing, wearing crested helmet with pendilia, globus cruciger in right hand / VICTORI-A AVGG IΓ, Angel standing facing, long staff terminating in staurogram in right hand, globus cruciger in left; CONOB in exergue. Sear 548. From the Kestenband Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk, private sale with old dealer's tag included. 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reconquest from the Vandals, but following the final defeat of the Moorish uprising in AD 548, many troops were withdrawn and the production of solidi was halted. Carthage then struck very few coins 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 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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