SAMARIA. Anepigraphic types with Achaemenid and regional influences. Circa 400-332 BCE. Quarter Mʿh = Tetartemorion (Silver, 7 mm, 0.16 g, 8 h). Forepart of a horned and winged horse to right. Rev. Nude youth seated facing forward with legs spread, the soles of his feet placed together, resting his right hand on his hip and holding a bird by the neck with his left hand, which is standing to right; all within incuse square. CSC 202 corr. (horse not bull). Hendin -. Jeselsohn I 211-212 corr. (horse not bull). Leu Judaica 143. Meshorer & Qedar 121 (horse not bull). NH -. Shoshana -. Sofaer 208 corr. Wyssmann p. 288, MQ 121. Very rare and arguably the finest known example of this enigmatic issue. Darkly toned, perfectly centered and with exceptional detail. Good extremely fine.


The creature on the obverse of this very rare issue is usually described as a winged bull. However, the form and posture of the head, together with the mane, suggest that it may instead be understood as a horned horse protome, in analogy with CSC 39-41. The meaning of the reverse is less clear. It is traditionally interpreted as a temple boy sacrificing a bird, but this identification must ultimately remain uncertain.