Catalog
Solidus In the name of Phocus; Marseille
| Issuer | Unified Frankish Kingdom (Frankish Kingdoms) |
|---|---|
| Year | 602-610 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | A cross potent on a globus occupies the central field, flanked on either side by letters forming part of the mint and officina marks. The central device is encircled by a laurel wreath border rendered in a stylized Merovingian manner. The outer legend VICTORIA AVGVSTI runs around the periphery, while the exergue and inner field bear the mint signature CON OB and the officina reference M Λ X XI, copying Byzantine Constantinople reverse types but executed with the characteristic crudeness of Frankish workshop production. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Struck at Marseille during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Phocas, this solidus belongs to a peculiar episode in Merovingian monetary practice: Frankish mints routinely struck gold in the name of reigning Byzantine emperors well into the seventh century, not as tribute or subordination, but because Byzantine-style gold carried commercial credibility that purely Frankish issues lacked. Marseille, as the kingdom's primary Mediterranean port, had particular incentive — its traders needed coin that Byzantine and Levantine merchants would accept without argument.
Phocas himself came to power by murdering Maurice in 602, and his eight-year reign ended the same way. Frankish issues in his name are therefore confined to a narrow production window.