LOCAL ISSUES, Silk Road Region. Circa 5th-8th centuries. 'Solidus' (Gold, 17 mm, 1.27 g, 12 h), imitating a solidus of the Byzantine emperor Constantine IV (668-685) from Constantinopolis, uncertain mint, possibly in the Khotan region in China, after 674. TTT 'CC•••OCC• Helmeted, diademed and cuirassed bust of Constantine IV facing slightly to right, bearded, holding spear in his right hand and with a shield, decorated with a horseman, over his left shoulder. Rev. TTT 'CC•••OCC• Helmeted, diademed and cuirassed bust of Constantine IV facing slightly to right, bearded, holding spear in his right hand and with a shield, decorated with a horseman, over his left shoulder. Cf. SB 1154 (for prototype). L. Ying: Solidi in China and Monetary Culture along the Silk Road, in: The Silk Road 3/2 (2005), p. 16 ff., group 3. Struck from somewhat worn dies and with minor scratches, otherwise, very fine.

From the collection of Dr. D. Löer, ex Künker 277, 21 June 2016, 174.