Exceptionally Pleasing Silver Dishekel of Sidon
202
Phoenicia, Sidon, Baalshallim II (c.401-366 BC), Silver Dishekel, 27.7g. Phoenician galley left above
waves, ‘beth’ above. Rev. King of Persia in chariot with driver drawn by two horses left, attendant
standing left behind (Betlyon 18; Rouvier 1096; HGC 10, 236). Unusually well struck on a huge flan,
choice very fine.
$ 6,000
From the Prospero Collection
and not included in the Legendary New York Sale of 2012
203
Phoenicia, Sidon, ‘Abd’Astart I (?) (c.365-352 BC), Silver Attic Tetradrachm, 16.97g, 12h. Regnal year 8
= 358/357 BC. Phoenician letters (‘bh), bearded bust of Satrap facing right, draped, wearing a diademed
crown and an earring. Rev. War galley left, with oars and row of shields, date above (Betlyon, p.13,
32, Figure 1 = Meshorer, Coins of the Ancient World, 1975, pp. 49, 68-9 = Elayi & Elayi, Sidon,
1465 (D1/R1), pl.XLIII (this coin); BMC -; SNG ANS -; Jameson -; McClean -; Weber -; Hunterian -;
Pozzi -; Traite -; SNG Copenhagen -; DCA -). Dark brown patination and some light erosion towards
periphery, very fine.
An extremely intriguing issue, and of the highest rarity, apparently the only
recorded example and worthy of further research.
$ 5,000
This fascinating issue appears to have been struck in the year that Sidon revolted against Persian control. Betlyon attributes the
portrait on the obverse to ‘Abd’Astart I.
From the Prospero Collection
204
Phoenicia, Tyre (102/101 BC), Silver Shekel, 14.26g, 12h. Head of Melqart facing right, laureate, wearing an aegis.
Rev.
KAI AΣYΛOY TYPOY IEPAΣ
, eagle standing left on a prow, a palm-branch across its shoulder,
EK
above a
club on left,
ΔK
on right, a Phoenician letter between legs (BMC 110). Toned, extremely fine.
$ 750
