KAVAKLI TREASURE: GOLD COINS DATING TO THE CONSTANS II PERIOD
Abstract
When Heraclius died in 641 AD, a conflict started for gaining the throne between his two sons. His two oldest sons Heraclius Constantine (Constantine III) and Heraclonas who were brothers-in-law, were crowned as emperors. Constantine III died three months after his coronation. The public and the Senate rejected Heraclonas’ and his mother Martina’s domination and insisted on crowning the son of Constantine III called Constans as a sole emperor. Although his baptismal name was Heraclius, he was officially given the name of Constantine but this was popularly abbreviated to Constans. Constans II depicted with his son, co-emperor Constantine IV, on his issues and his other sons whose name were Tiberius and Heraclius also depicted on the reverse side of gold coins. A group of gold coins were found in Kızılyar/Kavaklı in 1978 and then they were brought to Aydın Museum. Kavaklı Hoard has a group of solidi from the reign of Constans II. There are five different types: Class III (651-654), Class IV (654-659), Class V (659-661), Class VI (661-663), Class VII (663668). The hoard of Kavaklı will be presented according to its classifications with the help of the historical events of the era.