Here's a coin that I got as part of lot of Byzantine bronzes last year. It is a half follis of Justinian I. What makes this coin different from the others in the lot is an apparent "SC" on the reverse for the mint, below the "K". I can't equate SC with any of the main mints in Justinian's time (CON, KYZ, NIKO, etc.). Now I read online that Syracuse, or Sicily served as a mint during Justinian I's reign, but I am not sure when and for how long. Also the officina symbol is odd, being very round. Could be a poorly executed delta? Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Byzantine Empire Justinian I (527-565 CE) AE Half Follis Year 28 (554-555 CE) Mint ? Officina ? 9.7 grams, 25.5 mm, 12 h
Thank you, Doug. I will correct the label for this coin. I found this information online for Sear 230, Antioch: Some half-folles just indicated the "polis" part which apparently was deemed sufficient. Sear 230 20 nummia. Year 21. 27 mm. 9.41 grams. 10:30. Mintmark: Π with a slash and o above, for "polis." This is an abbreviation of "polis". The slash is like our apostrophe denoting omission of letters [as, for example, in "don't"] This mintmark was used only on this denomination and only years 20-29.
As far as I'm concerned the ones using the numeral for six with II after it are a step up from the boring old XXI. Like I said: Nice coin! Mine is a year 25 and worn. The obverse dies were intendedfor full folles so yours is not defective. The Sear plate coin was 'boardwalk margins' for these.
