The Byzantine coinage of the mint of Jerusalem

Abstract

Summary. — Considered here are four issues, one of copper folles and three of gold solidi which have been tentatively attributed to a mint in Jerusalem for the last 25 years. The copper folles can definitely be attributed to Jerusalem since one variety bears the city's name as a mint- mark. In order to attribute the solidi it has been necessary to consider the detailed history of the eastern mediterranean for the first thirty years of the seventh century, inadequate though the facts are. This study occupies the first part of the article. The result of the historical study indicates that two groups of solidi, one of Phocas and one of Heracius' sole reign, were probably struck in Jerusalem but that the type struck in the early years of the joint reign of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine cannot have been struck there. While the writer is unable to suggest any certain mint, this last group of solidi was possibly struck over a period of a couple of years between ca. 613 and 617 in considerable quantity at a temporary mint in south eastern Anatolia.