SICILY, Lilybaion (as ‘Cape of Melkart’). Circa 330-305 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 17.16 g, 6h). Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga right; above, Nike flying left, crowning charioteer with open wreath held in both hands; RŠMLQRT (“Raš Melqart” in Punic) in exergue / Head of Arethousa right, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; four dolphins swimming around. Jenkins, Punic 43 (O16/R33); CNP 310; HGC 2, 741; SNG Fitzwilliam 969 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 1600 (same obv. die); SNG Lockett 744 (same dies); Boston MFA 271 = Warren 419 (same dies); de Luynes 916 (same dies); McClean 3051 (same dies). Lightly toned, overstruck on uncertain type, minor deposits and die wear, off center on obverse. EF.
From the John L. Cowan Collection, purchased from Atlantis Ltd., 27 February 2001. Ex Triton I (2 December 1997), lot 384; Classical Numismatic Group 36 (5 December 1995), lot 1782; Classical Numismatic Review XX.2 Supplement (Summer 1995), no. 35; Van der Dussen 23 (6 April 1995), lot 882.
Price realized | 11'000 USD |
Starting price | 1'800 USD |
Estimate | 3'000 USD |