Intriguing Graffito

Sale: CNG 79, Lot: 245. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 17 September 2008.  Sold For $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ATTICA, Athens. Circa 460-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.14 g, 3h). Struck circa 440-420 BC. Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind; all within incuse square. Flament group II, 48/l (unlisted combination); Kroll 8; SNG Copenhagen 31. Good VF, graffito in field on reverse.

The letter forms of the graffito do not equate to any specific language, save for the last letter, an X. However, one possible explanation is that it is a blundered inscription of the Greek letters MAΛX – perhaps an attempt by a Greek-speaking person in the Levant to inscribe the Aramaic word M’LK (king).