Ancient Roman/Byzantine Snail Mail, Really!

[v-drome]

Here is a good one.  I thought this was some kind of bird, but now I am pretty sure it is a SNAIL!  Any ideas as to the meaning of this would be appreciated.  The reverse inscription is damaged, probably by agricultural equipment.  I think there was a cross or symbol above two or three lines of greek letters.  This seal was given to me by a friend at the farm settlement near Caesarea Maritima around 1971, so a late Roman or Early Byzantine date is most likely.  Thanks, V-drome.

Lead Seal BCC LS10
Late Roman-Early Byzantine        
Obv: Snail(?), advancing right.  Star above.
Rev:Greek inscription in 3 or 4 lines:
+?
I (or T)?, K Y, M (or H)?
Λ, Λ, Ο, Υ
Pb 18x19.5mm. 6.19gm. Axis:0
(click on picture for higher resolution)

[Jay GT4]

That is excellent!

[Gert]

Weird iconography can occur on seals, but I am pretty sure it is a peacock on the obv. The rev. seems to have the owner's name Kyrillos preceded by a cross: +KYPI/LLOV in two lines.

Regards
Gert

[mauseus]

Hi,

An interesting seal but I think the creature is a peacock. The vestiges of the legs are just there I believe and there looks to be a beak.

Regards,

Mauseus

[v-drome]

Wow!  Thanks for all the responses.  I agree peacock is most likely.  The patina is quite fragile and seems to contain most of the detail so I don't want to poke around too much, but under the microscope I can see very faint legs and beak now.  Thanks, again.  Jimi

[stlnats]

What a pretty thing.  Congrats!