Arab-Byzantine fals Constans II imitation “ΛITOIЄ” type early Islamic coin

Authority:
Early Islamic period, Arab-Byzantine coinage

Date:
Circa AH 11–55 / AD 632–675

Denomination:
AE fals

Mint:
Uncertain eastern Mediterranean mint

Reference:
cf. Album 3504
DOCAB p.29
cf. SICA I (Arab-Byzantine series)

Size:
25 mm

Weight:
3.73 g

Obverse:
Imperial Byzantine figure (after Constans II) standing facing, holding cross-tipped staff and globus cruciger. Greek letters in the field including T/I/Λ to the left and O and Є around the globus.

Reverse:
Large “M” denomination mark with cross above and A below. Additional control letters arranged in the fields. Exergue reading CON, imitating Byzantine mint signatures.

Description:
Arab-Byzantine bronze coinage represents the earliest phase of Islamic monetary production in the eastern Mediterranean. During this transitional period, newly established Arab authorities continued striking coins based on Byzantine prototypes, retaining imperial imagery while gradually introducing Arabic inscriptions and modifications. These coins circulated widely before the major Islamic coinage reforms of the late 7th century that replaced figural designs with purely epigraphic types.

Condition:
Authentic early Islamic bronze coin with clear devices and attractive brown patina.