The Date of Heraclius’ Jerusalem Folles

Abstract

Rare solidi and folles of Heraclius from Jerusalem are the only Byzantine issues that were struck with certainty in present-day Israel. The mint of the latter is given as IEPOCOS. The date is four, which has traditionally been interpreted as a regal year of Heraclius. Recently, Woods has suggested that it refers to the beginning of the revolt of the Heraclii. This suggestion is re-revaluated here, with the result that the traditional interpretation should be preferred to the new theory.