temple token from Antioch, Asklepios / serpent staff, AE15

Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch(?). Ca. 120-130s A.D.
15mm, 3.25g

'temple token' . Head of Asclepius right / Serpent-entwined staff. Butcher 12i; SNG BN 1855 (Pergamum).

long assumed to be from Pergamum in Mysia but accd. to Butcher Antiochene or of north Syrian origin.
'During the reign of Domitian there was constructed on the slopes of Mt. Silpius at Antioch a temple to Asclepius. Since the coins carry no ethnic or mark of denomination, it seems plausible that these were issued as temple tokens rather than as coin of the realm.'

McAlee, Coinage of Roman Antioch, p. 85, Fig. 14.
"Could be from Antioch, of Hadrianic date, judging from apparent find spots and officina letters A, B, G on some specimens, the same sequence as on civic coins of Antioch under Hadrian. Not included in catalogue, however, because lack of ethnic and date suggests they might be tokens not coins." (paraphrased)