★ An enigmatic dekanummium ★

Phocas (?), 602-610. Dekanummium (Bronze, 18 mm, 2.00 g, 1 h), with Leontia, uncertain mint, RY 5 = 607. [...]NT.A Facing half-length figure of Leontia (?), on the right, draped and crowned, wearing necklace and holding cross in her right hand; on the left, the shape of the left shoulder and left pendilia of Phocas (?) slightly visible. Rev. Large X in center flanked by I and ζ; above, cross; below, probably name of the mint. DOC -. MIB -. SB -. The obverse struck off center, otherwise, very fine.

This coin is somewhat of a mystery as it was apparently struck by a much larger obverse die leaving the emperor off flan to the left of the empress. In addition, the few letters on the right side of the empress appear to read ...NT.A... where the titles of Phocas would normally appear.