EGYPT. Uncertain. Circa 1st-3rd centuries. Tessera (Lead, 12 mm, 1.97 g, 11 h). Bust of Harpokrates (?) to right; to right, poppy bulb. Rev. Head of Bes (?) facing. Dattari (Savio) -. Emmett -. An unusual piece with a very interesting reverse. Good fine.


The unusual figure on the reverse of this piece may perhaps by identified as Bes, an Egyptian fertility god who was commonly depicted as a fearsome dwarf. Despite his popularity in the Graeco-Roman period, Bes was never depicted on the Egyptian coinage, but he does appear outside of Egypt on the coins of Ebusus and silver obols of Tarsos.