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  [Image]                              Item Sold At Auction #5
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                 Web Product ID: 1400
                 Estimate: $100.00
                 Final Sale Price: $37.40
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                 Denomination: Follis
                 Grade: Good VF dark green patina
                 Reference: DOC II 242; MIB pl. 18, Km 5; SB 883




  Heraclius. 610-641 AD. Æ Follis (9.35 gm). Uncertain mint in Sicily. Crowned facing
  busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine, cross between, within oval incuse /
  SCLs within oval incuse. DOC II 242; MIB pl. 18, Km 5; SB 883. Good VF, dark green
  patina. Overstruck on a Constantinople mint follis of Heraclius and Heraclius
  Constantine. Estimate $100.



  This countermark was invariably applied to folles minted at Constantinople dated to
  either year 21 or year 22, and can thus be dated to 631. It is interesting to note
  that the position of the countermarks is always the same -- i.e., the busts fall on
  the upper portion of the large M of the host coin, while the SCLs falls on the feet
  of the emperors. The reason behind this positioning has never been satisfactorily
  explained, but it does indicate stringent control of the countermarking process and
  must have been intentional.