Lopadusa(?) Islands off Sicily AE16 Crab / Greek Inscription(?)

[Joe Sermarini]

cf.  Lopadusa (Lampedusa), Islands off Sicily, AE16, cf. Calciati III p. 369, 3; SNG Cop 487;  Lindgren II, 29, 668; Crab / symbol of Tanit and caduceus, all within wreath.

The consignor has it attributed as the type above but this seems to have a Geek inscription SM... around a T (for Tanit?) on the reverse.  I don't see a caduceus or a wreath.

Any ideas? 

[Taras]

I made a search on all my books, including Calciati, but I can't find any reference for this coin.
I'd say it's not from Sicily (or Islands off, or North Africa), in this case the legend should be punic, not greek, and the symbol for Tanit is different from a greek T.
I posted the pic on the Italian forum, if any expert will identify it I'll upgrade this thread.
Regards
Nico

[Joe Sermarini]

I suspect it may be from Lopadusa under Roman rule. 

[Taras]

I suspect it may be from Lopadusa under Roman rule. 

If so, this specimen would be an absolute first.
We should better understand the legend on the rev, to make some more speculations.

[Arthas]

I don’t know what might be the real mint but I found some indications ; a specimen with this type was contained in the Colonel Leake's collection and was acquired by the University of Cambridge, Leake, Kings. p. 39. 7 (Commagene) the description of this coin is found in Imhoof- Blumer, Z.f.N. i (1874) pag.332 n.13, minted under Amyntas (39-25 a.C.)

regards, Giuseppe.

[Taras]

Puzzle solved.
Great Giuseppe!
 

[HELEN S]

  WOW  Giuseppe your second post on the forum that is some amazing information you have posted. Congratulations as I suspect many of us have trawled the internet for a snippet of information about this coin WELL DONE  

[Joe Sermarini]

That does appear to be it.  Thanks!  

Does anyone know of other examples? 

[Joe Sermarini]

In the catalog now...

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?param=65879q00.jpg&vpar=1284&zpg=77726&fld=https://www.forumancientcoins.com/Coins2/

RPC I, p. 536, notes that this crab type, struck in three denominations is traditionally attributed to Amyntas, King of Galatia, 39 - 25 B.C., but omits the coins from the catalog because, "It is hard to see that this is really a version of the king's name." RPC then discusses other possible attributions and dismisses them all. We agree Amyntas is surely wrong.

I have listed it as Anatolia, Unknown King, 2nd Century B.C. - 1st Century A.D.