Unusual Graffito

Sale: CNG 78, Lot: 40. Estimate $100.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 May 2008.  Sold For $305. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Himera. Circa 420-407 BC. Æ Hemilitron (3.94 g, 11h). Head of nymph left; six pellets (mark of value) before / Six pellets (mark of value) within wreath. Kraay, Bronze, group b, 3; CNS 35; SNG ANS 186. VF, green patina, small K (graffito?) incised on back of headband.

The presence of the incised K on the headband is quite enigmatic. Unlike typical graffiti, which are usually crudely engraved on the surface with shallow strokes of a pointed object, this K appears to have been deeply cut into the headband with great care. Moreover, as some of the letter is filled by the patina, it clearly was cut in antiquity while the coin was in circulation.