CILICIA. Tarsus. Ca. late 5th century BC. AR stater (19mm, 5h). NGC Fine, test cuts. Bearded male deity (Melqart?) riding winged hippocamp right above waves, with and arrow in right hand, bow in left / TRZ (Tarsus in Aramaic), bearded male deity standing left, with large grain ear in right hand, trident in left. SNG Levant 56. This is a fascinating type that bears the same obverse as has been noted on early Tyre coinage. Some scholars believe that the adoption of the imagery was the result of payments to Persia's Phoenician fleet, in 411 BC, by Tissaphernes. Others, however think these coins were issued later than this event occurred.

HID09801242017

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