CILICIA (?). Uncertain. 4th century BC. Obol (Silver, 10 mm, 0.63 g). Bearded male bust to left, wearing crested Attic helmet and drapery (?) around neck. Rev. Facing head of Bes within incuse square. Göktürk -. Jeselsohn -. Meshorer & Qedar -. SNG Levante -. SNG von Aulock -. Sofaer -. Apparently unpublished and unique. A lovely coin of fine style with a highly unusual obverse type. Minor weakness and with some adjustment marks as made, otherwise, about extremely fine.



Depictions of Bes are well attested in Cilicia as well as in Samaria and Philistia. The obverse of our beautiful obol most closely recalls the bearded head on the coins of the Persian satrap Datames from Tarsos, yet it differs markedly in style, and the legend customary for Datames is likewise absent. Whether our coin is of Cilician origin or rather comes from Samaria must, regrettably, remain unresolved.