KAI and laureate head

SAMARIA. Caesarea Maritima. Nero. Æ 22. A.D. 68 (year 14 of the reign of Nero). Obv: (NEPΩNKAIΣAPΣEBAΣTOΣ). Laureate head right, star in front; countermark (1). Rev: (KA)IΣA(PIAHΠPOΣΣEBAΣTΩΛIMENI) or similar, LIΔ in field. Figure (Tyche?) standing left, holding human bust and standard; countermark (2) on figure. Ref: RPC 6842; Sear GIC 629. (Axis: 360°). Weight: 10.24 g. CM(1): KAI in rectangular punch, 8 x 5 mm. Howgego 543 (18 pcs). Note: The countermark was probably applied in A.D. 68/68, before the city became colony under Vespasian, to validate coins of Nero. CM(2): Laureate head right, in circular punch, 5 mm. Howgego 115 (12 pcs). Note: Likely applied at the same time as countermark (1). In fact, Howgego notes that it may well be the case that all coins bearing countermark (1) also bear countermark (2) and vice-versa. Collection Automan.