Interesting Graffiti

351, Lot: 190. Estimate $300. Sold for $450. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ATTICA, Athens. Circa 454-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm (22mm, 16.99 g, 8h). Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; HGC 4, 1597. VF, toned, light porosity, Aramaic graffiti on reverse (see below).

There appears to be two sets of Aramaic letters, both in the right field of the reverse, one, newer, superimposed upon the other, older. The older graffito may spell BAL; it is faint, except for the tail of the letter L. BAL is known for both graffiti and countermarks, and probably is a reference to the deity Ba’al. The newer graffito may spell WBRZ; it is strongly engraved over the previous one, and is a common name in the east, Vabharz (Oborzos).