Greek Coins
Iberia, Carthago Nova
Hispano-Carthaginian issues. Shekel 237-209, AR 7.42 g. Diademed male head (Hasdrubal ?) l. Rev. Prow of galley r., with shield on deck and a wreathed fore post ending in a bird's head, to which is attached a pennant; in exergue, dolphin. Robinson, Essays Mattingly pp. 37-38 and pl. II, 4c. CNH 5. De Navascues 7 (this obverse die). Burgos 482. Villaronga-Benages 543.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A wonderful portrait
of fine style, light iridescent tone and extremely fine Several Carthaginian issues from Spain bear portraits that may represent people rather than deities. In every case – including this rare shekel – the evidence for firm identification is lacking. With this issue, however, we need not doubt that the portrait is inspired by contemporary royal Greek portrait coins. The many trade contacts of Carthaginian merchants means that the potential influences are broad, but the proximity of Sicily, the vintage of the coin, and the character of the portrait make it likely – as Robinson suggested – that the source is the coinage of the Syracusan King Hieron II (or that of his son, Gelon II, or his grandson, Hieronymus).
Hieron II originally was allied with the Carthaginians against Rome, but in 263 entered into a treaty of alliance with the Romans, who acknowledged his rights in Sicily. Their alliance remained strong for nearly half a century, through the first two Punic Wars, until, in 215, Hieron died at about ninety years old. Because his son Gelon II had died a year earlier, authority passed to his teenage grandson, Hieronymus. His brief reign ended with his murder thirteen months later, after which the Syracusans established a short-lived democracy, the Fifth Republic. In 214 the Romans besieged the city, which fell in 212 and provided an extraordinary source of wealth that helped carry them through the remaining years of the Second Punic War.
In historical terms, Hieronymus is the strongest candidate of the three. Unlike his father and grandfather, who were staunch allies of the Romans, Hieronymus sided with the Carthaginians. His reign was frightful and brief, yet a substantial coinage was produced on his behalf. Chief among them was the silver 10-litrae, which bore a portrait similar to the one on this Carthaginian piece, even if it tends to betray the youth of the king.
This Carthaginian coin type is generally dated to c.237 to 209 B.C., which fits well if any of the Syracusan royal portrait coins were the prototype. The reverse is unrelated, and speaks exclusively to the strength of the Carthaginian military. Two shields rest upon the decorated beak of the galley, with the post at the bow being adorned with a wreath and an admiral's pennant. Robinson suggested that the portrait was Hasdrubal, who in 228 succeeded his father-in-law, Hamilcar Barca, as commander of the Carthaginian forces in Spain. He ruled until his assassination in 221, after which command was assumed by his brother-in-law, Hannibal. Though reliable evidence is lacking, the possibility remains that Hasdrubal was indeed the subject.