Dynasts of Lycia, Kherei AR Tetrobol. Uncertain mint, circa 410-390 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Forepart of Lamassu to right; ẼERẼI (sic, in Lycian) before; all within incuse square. Cf Traité pl. XCIX, 15 (obol); Cf. SNG Copenhagen Suppl. 453 (stater); SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -; BMC Lycia-. 2.00g, 11mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine. Apparently unpublished in the standard references.
This coin bears a depiction of the forepart of a lamassu, an ancient Assyrian protective deity with the head of a man, the body of an ox (sometimes a lion), and the wings of a bird. First appearing in Assyria during the reign of Tiglath-Pileser I (circa 1114–1076 BC) as a symbol of power, the lamassu motif was used extensively by the Assyrians; typically, lamassu were prominently placed as guardians at the entrances of cities and palaces.