KYRENAIKA. Kyrene, circa 1st-2nd century AD. Tessera (Lead, 16 mm, 3.38 g, 12 h). Diademed head of Zeus Ammon to right, wearing ram's horn in his hair and over the diadem. Rev. Antelope (?) standing right; before, silphium plant; above, monogram of AP. Apparently unpublished and unique, a highly interesting piece. Very fine.


The attribution of this intriguing tessera to Kyrene is based on the depiction of Zeus Ammon on the obverse and the silphium plant on the reverse. Its style and fabric suggest a date in the Roman period. The finely modelled head of Zeus is exceptionally well executed for a tessera. The reverse bears a monogram of uncertain meaning and depicts an animal, possibly an antelope, in front of the famous silphium plant.