Greek Coins Iberia, Carthago Nova Hispano-Carthaginian issues . Trishekel circa 221-206, AR 22.12 g. Male head l. (Hannibal?). Rev. Horse standing r.; behind, palm tree. De Navasques –. CNH 63 (these dies). Robinson, Essays Mattingly, 7(b) (these dies). Villaronga-Benages 602. Of the highest rarity, apparently only four or five specimens known. An issue of tremendous importance and fascination. A minor nick on reverse and light traces of double-striking on obverse, otherwise good very fine The portrait on this large and impressive Barcid trishekel bears an affinity with the roughly contemporary issues that show on their obverse a ‘Melkart-Heracles’ bust with a club over his shoulder. Whether this clean-shaven portrait is meant to portray Hannibal, another Barcid commander, or is nothing more than a highly personalized image of the deity, remains a topic of debate. The inspiration for the reverse is strictly Carthaginian: a horse standing with a palm tree in the background.Deciding where it fits into the overall scheme of Barcid coinage is no easy task. The general appearance of the coin would suggest that it is somewhat later – or derivative – of the Melkart-Heracles/elephant issues, but this cannot be presumed with any level of confidence since all of the larger Barcid silver coins are rare, were issued in a relatively narrow timeframe, and were struck with dies that were highly individual creations. To make too many presumptions about the evolution of style and fabric in such a short-lived and intriguing series would be to push the evidence beyond its limits.