Two interesting SCL countermark follis

[L.e.]

Hello, I’m happy to show these two coins that I has been able to collect. At first glance they seem to be “only” two normal follis of Heraclius countermarked in Constantinople for circulation in Sicily (Sear 884) and infact it is what they are. But the host coins are not follis from Constantinople mint, but from that obscure NEA mint, often attributed to Nablus of Palestine.


The first one is MIBX24, of the type with NEA in exergue; the second one is MIB23X, with CON in exergue and N under the M. You can find that the second one is “Neapolis” follis by comparing the obverse die with other sure “Neapolis” follis. 


They are a very rare typology and even more rare as host coins for the Constantinople countermarks. This shows that the circulation of the NEA follis was wide, from the East to Costantinople.

Thank you for reading.

Kind regards