ASIA MINOR. Uncertain. 2nd-3rd centuries. Tessera (Lead, 15 mm, 1.88 g, 11 h), Telesphoros. MAAP TЄΛЄCΦOPOV Vase. Rev. Female figure (Athena?) standing front, head to left, holding spear or scepter in her right hand. Apparently unpublished. An intriguing 'Ephesian' tessera naming a city official. Edge faults, otherwise, very fine.


The reading of the name, Telesphoros, is certain, but the interpretation of the preceding letters is unclear. A parallel example from a private collection, but from different dies, has the letters MHAP, which might indicate that there are three names preceding Telesphoros, M(arcus), A... and Ar... The second name could have been spelled with an èta, too.