Heraclius ruled Byzantium for more than thirty years, and only at the very end did he place both of his sons beside himself on the gold solidus. This solidus comes from that final dynastic issue, struck at Constantinople in the closing years of his reign. The bearded emperor stands at center between his heirs, Heraclius Constantine and the younger Heraclonas, a public declaration of succession rendered in gold. Solidi of Heraclius carry the name of the emperor who fought the long war against Persia and returned the True Cross to Jerusalem, which keeps his gold in steady demand among Byzantine collectors.

The obverse shows the three rulers standing facing, each crowned and robed, with the taller, long-bearded Heraclius in the middle and a son at either side. The figures are struck in sharp relief, and the beaded border and drapery folds remain clear across the flan. On the reverse a cross potent rises on a stepped base, framed by the imperial legend and the mint marks of Constantinople. The devices are boldly rendered, with strong definition in the cross, the steps, and the surrounding letters.

NGC graded this solidus Mint State with a Strike of 5/5 and a Surface of 2/5, noting the coin as clipped, a trim commonly seen on late Heraclian gold. The surfaces keep bright yellow gold color, and the central devices on both sides stand up crisply with no meaningful wear. A full 5/5 strike is the grade that matters most on a figural type like this one, since it is what lets all three portraits read clearly at 4.40 grams. A welcome addition to any collection of Byzantine gold or coinage of the Heraclian dynasty.

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610-641 AD Byzantine Empire Heraclius Gold Solidus NGC Mint State 5x2