A Countermarked Alexandrian of Heraclius (Sear 861)

Hi All,

Here is one of the last few coins I got in 2023. It is what would be an otherwise unremarkable Alexandrian Byzantine issue of Heraclius and his two sons (obv) and I+B over the mint name AΛEZ (rev). However, what makes this one remarkable is the countermark on the reverse. It is a circular punch that shows a monogram set in a cross. I can make out the letters: ABIΛMOTPY. Some of these (the I and T and Λ) are components within other letters.

I didn't find this exact monogram combination in Fiend's two books ("Byzantyne Monograms and Personal Names" and "Byzantinische Siegelkunde"; See https://independent.academia.edu/RobertFeind ), but it is similar to the ones for Amibilios, Jamblichos, or Amibilios on page 65 of the first book.

Any thoughts on this coin or countermarked Alexandrians or any similar Alexandrian Byzantine issues you have to show are welcomed!



HERACLIUS (5 Oct 610 - 11 Jan 641 CE)
EGYPT, ALEXANDRIA Undated: ca 5 Oct 610 - 11 Jan 641 CE
Æ 12 Nummi
Size: 21 mm
Weight: 8.36 g
Axis: 04:00
Broucheion Collection B-2023-11-23.001

Obv: Heraclius (center), Herculius Constantine (right), and Heraclonus (left) all standing facing, each wears chlamys and holds globus cruciger in right hand. Heraclonas and Heraclius Constantine each wear crown with cross. Cross in fie!d above head of Heraclonas. Solid border.
Rev: Large IB, with cross over M between. In exergue: AΛEZ. Countermark. Solid border.
Refs: MIB III-206; BMC-297; Sear-861; DO-196; T-440.
Note: Reverse countermark made up of ABIΛMOTPY set in a cross.



- Broucheion