SOUTHERN LEVANTINE REGION. Uncertain mint, late 5th to early 4th centuries BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24 mm, 17.06 g, 1 h), imitating Athens. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves and palmette. Rev. AΘE Owl standing right, head facing; to left, olive sprig and crescent; to lower right, uncertain letter or object; all within incuse square. Gitler & Tal -. Apparently unpublished. Beautifully toned and of great interest. Graffiti on both sides, otherwise, very fine.


This piece certainly originates from the East, most likely from the southern Levant, specifically the Philistine region. The meaning of the symbol in the lower right field remains unclear; it could either represent a letter or an object. No comparable pieces are known, though the two graffiti on the front and back align with the suspected origin. For further details, see G. Gambash, H. Gitler, and H. M. Cotton: IUDAEAE RECEPTA, in: INR 8 (2013), pp. 101-102.