Crossword Genius

Certain characters seen in San Marino and Vatican City? (5,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

small capitals

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'certain characters' is the definition.
'small capitals' can be an answer for 'characters' (small capital is a kind of character). I am not certain of the 'certain' bit.

'san marino and vatican city?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'city?' could be 'capital' (capital is a kind of city) and 'capital' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'smalls' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'seen in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for small capitals that I've seen before include "Short letters" , "Type" , "places like thirty two [AJACCIO] ?" , "places like Vaduz?" , "Upper-case letters of same size as lower-case" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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