UNCERTAIN LEVANTINE REGION, circa 4th-3rd century BC. Obol (Silver, 9 mm, 0.52 g, 6 h). Janiform male head, wearing kalathos. Rev. [.]HΛOY Upright sword between triangular-shaped object set on base of two steps on the left and radiate facing male head on the right; to outer left, another object or symbol. Classical Numismatic Group E-Auction 598 (2025), 274. Sol 46 (2025), 10. Very rare. Somewhat rough, otherwise, very fine.


The attribution of these unusual coins remains uncertain. On our specimen the legend HΛOY is clearly legible; the coin offered in Sol 46 (2025), 10 reads [.]HO[Y], and Sol 44 (2025), 78 likewise [.]HΛOY.

The reverse iconography is equally enigmatic. It shows a sword between, on the left, a triangular object set on a two-stepped base, and on the right, a frontal head wearing a radiate crown. Other specimens — such as lot 793 below and Sol 44 (2025), 78 — include an additional object in the left field, perhaps an arrowhead, although the overall symbolism appears more cultic than martial.

The meaning of the inscription is likewise unclear. Given the clearly visible rays around the head on the reverse of Sol L (2026), 24 and Sol 44 (2025), 78, a reading as a misspelled HΛIOY ('of Helios') would be intriguing, even if it seems rather unlikely, especially if the legend was originally longer. The coins probably originate in the Levant, yet no comparanda are known among either Philistine or Samaritan issues. For the time being, these pieces remain an enigma.