I remember watching a thread on a similar item at this forum sometimes ago. Every thing on reverse is reminiscent of Ancient Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs. I wish I could know the age of this oval piece which is not far from a coin's shape. It weighs 4.04 grams. Thanks for your assistance.
it is an ancient Egyptian scarab, the hieroglyphics on reverse is usually the name of a pharaoh or his queen, try this site to translate it, www.omniglot.com or find an archeologist to translate it.
Be really careful. Do not forget the pharaohs' curse. Remember Howard Carter and his 10 teammates........
I read hieroglyphs and can't make out those symbols. In certain periods of history the use of scarabs spread to the Levant, so my guess would be a Semitic inscription is represented.
Thanks a lot for all your opinions and photos. It was one among a lot of ten genuine coins. I'll keep it anyway, even if it were not genuine.
I believe it is authentic but Levantine in origin, so the inscription could be in one of several scripts - of Byblos, Tyre, etc. See if a little research on your part can narrow it down.
I found this Levantine scarab that has a similar design to yours. A goddess sitting in a chair with another person in front of her. Might be a good place to start looking. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/44814199_levantine-scarab-in-egyptian-style-new-kingdom-period
Levantine scarab in Egyptian style. Circa 1570- 1075 BC. Possibly Isis sitting on a chair, Horus before her. By that time, Phoenicia was under the occupation of the Pharaohs. Always learning...
It reads "v'amah achat m'al" "kadesh" "kabed YHWH v'hamiskhkan" Translated it's a warning to not disturb the ark of the covenant. Did you also buy the piece that goes with it?