Nomos 32

KYRENAICA. Kyrene. Circa 550-500 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 21 mm, 16.70 g). Cruciform pattern of a cross with arms made from two parallel lines with a knot of Herakles at the intersection; the vertical arms end in a single horizontal line, the horizontal arms each end with a silphium fruit; in each of the quarters, silphium fruit. Rev. Two parallel incuse rectangles, each with irregular surfaces. Apparently unpublished. Seemingly unique. A fascinating coin, with a most unusual geometric design. Some roughness as found, otherwise, very fine.

From the Battos Collection.

What is going on here? This design, as a coin type, is highly unexpected: could it relate to architecture, like the ceiling coffer on the tridrachms of Delphi, or does it reflect the pattern on a luxury fabric? Or, if we assume that it is being viewed from above, could this be a gift-box containing four silphium fruits bound with a ribbon tied with a Herakles knot.