Rosh or No Rosh

[Joe Sermarini]

2.074g, 14.4mm, 12:00 die axis. The consignor says Hendin 6168, with Rosh in the inscription.  I am not certain and think it may be Hendin 6174, without Rosh in the inscription. Anyone feel confident either way? Anyone know of a good method or methods to distinguish between the two when the inscription is a bit obscure like this one? Thanks!

[Aarmale]

I think this one is a "rosh" type; I have illustrated the RW[Sh] that I see on the attached picture. (I have shown the letter forms here as I see them, not as they "should be".)

Usually in situations like this, I try to fit the expected inscription with the letters that I can see more clearly. For example, YHWHNN is easy to see. After this, we could have HKHN, KHN, or the like. The two vertical lines we see on line 2 would most likely be the kaf and nun of HKHN. And so on, in this manner.

The kaf and nuns appear as vertical lines, as mentioned, and this is consistent with other "square-type" Hasmonean inscriptions.

It is worth noting that the resh of RWSh is open on the top, like the resh in HBR, and on other RWSh types. Additionally, the aleph looks very much like a waw, which is also the usual form.

[Jochen]

Dear Joe!

My suggestion is the following: The yellow letters from right to left are:
(1) Lamed (last letter of GDL)
(2) Resh
(3) Aleph
(4) Shin (in yellow circle, only faint)

So it is the variant with ROSH

Kind regards
Jochen

[Joe Sermarini]

Thanks Aarmale and Jochen. I can see it now (with your help of course).