40 Nummi - Phocas Antioch, Class 2

Phocas came to power in 602 by leading a mutiny of Danubian troops against Maurice, whose reign he ended with the execution of the emperor and his six sons. His eight-year rule was defined by continuous military crisis — Sassanid Persia under Khosrow II launched a war of revenge for Maurice's death that would not end until Heraclius finally concluded it in 628. These Antioch bronzes of 608–610 were struck in the final months before Heraclius's revolt succeeded, making them among the last coins produced under Phocas at a mint the Persians would seize within years.