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Uncertain Symbol on a Billon Coin of Lesbos

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kencooke:
I can't see anything.

n.igma:
A new day, fresh eyes and I think okidoki might be right - maybe a turtle seen in front.

OldMoney:
Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I do, however, continue to believe that this is an object, not
an animal, etc. I am happy to be corrected, but I am presently
inclined in that particular direction in lieu of additional evidence
or comparative material. I remain open to further suggestions.

All the best,

Walter

OldMoney:
It is extraordinary what one comes across in the course of unrelated searches.

I located this item, a single unique example sold twice, that at first seemed to
solve the mystery, but now seems only to add to it. It was first described as a
'leech fibula', and then this was updated and corrected to being a 'petasos'.

The coin is from the famous BCD Collection, sold several years ago:

Lot 1119. Thessaly, Larissa
c.450-430 Silver Obol (0.63g).
Obv: Head of Jason wearing petasos to right.
Rev. Λ - A / P, Petasos and kerykeion; all within incuse square.

To quote the cataloguer: "As for the reverse, the curious curved object found next
to the kerykeion was described as being a fibula of a typically Etruscan type, the
leech or sanguisuga , named after its leech-like shape.
Unfortunately this does not look like one of those fibulae since it has symmetrical
turned up ends, which sanguisuga fibulae do not have, and lacks any sign of a pin
catch. The present identification, as a petasos, is slightly more satisfactory, but is
also not entirely convincing: it is, perhaps, shown from the front, rather than from
the side as it usually appears."

However, and much as the cataloguer states, I too am not entirely convinced of
this updated description either. Perhaps the mystery continues.

Walter Holt

n.igma:
Possibly some form of archer's finger release? The two curved ends to accommodate the first and second fingers while drawing the bow string the central bulge to accommodate the arrow and string release.

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