Hi, all. Here is another very tiny lead
tessera that has me stumped. The
obverse has a male figure to right. At first I thought maybe
Helios, but there are no rays and the figure appears to be clothed and bearded. The gesture strongly suggests
Serapis, but the
modius is either missing or off-flan. Bonner has some examples of
amulets with
Zeus and Zeus-Serapis wearing
himation, so this is what I have gone with. The
reverse is half off-flan and much more obscure. I am thinking maybe an architectural
type with
altar, or tree, or maybe throne, crown, or even some
type of couch/bed. I am not even sure which orientation is correct. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, Jimi
BCC LT94
Lead
TesseraCaesarea Maritima
1st - 3rd century CE
Obv: Zeus-Serapis advancing left, clothed,
raising hand in gesture, (or holding object?),
(staff in left hand?), and (
eagle at feet?).
Rev: Uncertain
type, partially off-flan, perhaps
throne, or crown, or couch, or temple with
altar???
PB 9 x 8 x 1.5mm. 0.51gm.
Axis: ?
Surface find
Caesarea Maritima, 1976.