unknown mint in Northern Syria / Commagene, 200-300 AD., Æ 15, Weiser,Cologne university coll. 1 var..

unknown mint (in Northern Syria / Commagene ?), 200-300 AD.,
Æ 15 (ø 14-15 mm / 2,89 g), bronze, axes irregular alignment ↑→ (ca. 90°),
Obv.: ram running left, head turned back, dotted border.
Rev.: scales (balance) [with two pellets below], dotted border; circular countermark at center: helmeted bust (of Athena?) right.
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=66669.0 ; http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=93836.0 ; Weiser, Cologne/Köln university coll., p. 16, 1 var. (Nectanebo of Egypt) (no countermark) ; for countermark: Howgego p. 141, no. 192 (pl. 9) (1 piece listed) .

"Lloyd Taylor" Oct 19, 2013: ... it is doubtful that this coin is of Nektanebo. Recent scholarship now places it in Syria. While the attribution to Nektanebo is still followed by many in the numismatic trade, the scholarly tide has turned from this attribution to 3rd century AD Syria. Firstly, all recorded finds of the coins have been outside of Egypt in the Levant and Syria. Secondly, the leaping ram imagery is very Antiochene and non-Egyptian in nature. Thirdly, the dotted border is unknown on fourth century bronze coinage anywhere - it was developed later. Finally that countermark is to be found on Syrian AD issues - completely unknown in the fourth century BC. Kevin Butcher, in Coinage of Roman Syria (2004), assigns them to an uncertain mint in Northern Syria, suggesting the 3rd century AD as a possible date. Also refer to the Forvm Discussion Thread: The jumping ram: Egypt and/or Syria? to be found in the Greek Coins discussion section.