ASIA MINOR. Uncertain. 2nd-3rd centuries. Tessera (Lead, 15 mm, 1.63 g). Elephant emerging from shell to right; below, grain ear. Rev. Blank. Gülbay & Kireç 40a ("hermit crab"). Naumann 57, 418-419 (same). A beautiful and very attractive tessera. Good very fine.
From a collection of lead tesserae from Asia Minor.
The motif of large animals like elephants, lions and horses emerging from a shell was popular in Roman gem engraving. For designs of elephants emerging from a shell, similar to the imagery on our tessera, see Furtwängler XLVI, 35, AG Wien 2130 and Dembski, Carnuntum 1104.