Nomos 23

ASIA MINOR. Uncertain. Circa 400-340 BC. Diobol (Silver, 8 mm, 1.11 g). Male head to left, wearing a helmet with what appears to be lowerable visor perforated for ventilation. Rev. Punctate design forming a schematic bucranium. Apparently unique. A curious and intriguing mystery. Struck from dies larger than the flan, otherwise, about very fine.

From an American collection, acquired from Romae Aeternae Vcoins in 2012 ("Asia Minor Caria, extremely rare and unique" [sic!]), ex Classical Numismatic Group 244, 10 November 2010, 620 (part of) ("Greek: uncertain AR").

A remarkable curiosity. The extraordinary reverse has been described in general terms as being a punch-marked waffle or honey-comb design including two large, rosette-like circles (solar symbols?). It does, in fact, seem to be a highly schematic bukranium. Unfortunately, the obverse is quite mysterious too. What is especially odd is the visor on the helmet worn by this male individual (Ares?): it has what looks like air holes along its length. They are almost surely a form of decoration, rather than something functional, since visors with ventilation holes are primarily late medieval!!! In fact, the only thing we can say about this coin is that it is truly mysterious.