Phocas | Byzantine Follis (602–610 AD)
Weight: 10.85 g  Diameter: 29 mm  Metal: Bronze (Æ)
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🪙 Coin Description
This impressive Byzantine Follis was struck during the reign of Emperor Phocas, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire from 602 to 610 AD—one of the most dramatic and turbulent periods in Byzantine history.
Obverse:
Facing bust of Emperor Phocas, wearing a crown and imperial robes. His stern and uncompromising portrait reflects the harsh realities of his rule and the instability of the empire during the early 7th century.
Reverse:
A large denominational mark indicating the value of the follis, surrounded by inscriptions and mint marks typical of Byzantine bronze coinage. The design emphasizes imperial authority, order, and the monetary reforms inherited from earlier emperors.
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⚔️ Historical Context
Phocas came to power through a violent military revolt against Emperor Maurice. His reign marked a turning point for the Byzantine Empire, ushering in a period of internal chaos, political repression, and external threats.
During Phocas’ rule:
•The empire faced renewed Persian invasions in the East.
•Relations with the Roman Church shifted, strengthening ties with the Papacy.
•Administrative and military structures began to weaken, paving the way for the later reforms of Heraclius, who would overthrow Phocas in 610 AD.
Coins from this period reflect a world in transition—from the late Roman order to the early medieval Byzantine state.
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⭐ Why This Coin Is Important
•Issued during a critical turning point in Byzantine history
•Large, heavy bronze follis with strong physical presence
•Portrait of one of Byzantium’s most controversial emperors
•Tangible witness to the collapse of one era and the birth of another
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🏛 A Coin from an Empire on the Brink
This follis is more than a monetary object—it is a historical document in bronze, struck at a time when the Byzantine Empire stood on the edge of transformation. Holding this coin means touching a moment when power, faith, and survival were deeply intertwined.