ASIA MINOR. Uncertain. 2nd-3rd centuries. Seal (Lead, 16 mm, 1.57 g). Shepherd seated left, milking goat; to right, tree with a branch hanging left; above, syrinx (pan flute). Rev. Blank. Apparently unpublished. A wonderful piece with an exceptional rural obverse. Edge chipping, otherwise, good very fine.


A tessera that appeared in Münzzentrum Rheinland 124 (2005), 365 has the same scene, but to the right and with the legend 'eusebis', a translation of the Roman core value of pietas, incorporating piety and dutifulness. Rural scenes, such as this one, were very popular in contemporary gem engraving.