SYRIA, Uncertain. 3rd century AD. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 15 mm, 4.49 g, 12 h). Ram leaping left, head right. Rev. Scales; pellet in central field; below, countermark of a male head to right, wearing crested helmet. Butcher 11. Weiser 1 ('Nektanebo II'). Very fine.

From a European collection, acquired before 2021.

This type has been attributed to Nektanebo II of Egypt in the past, but this is very unlikely. Find spots suggest an origin in the northern Levant and the ram is reminiscent of Roman provincial Antioch issues, but no communis opinio on the mint has been reached yet. It is therefore best to ascribe it to an uncertain Syrian mint for the time being until further research sheds more light on the issue.