Lot 71 - Masterpieces of Greek coinage

Phoenicia, Tyre.  Dishekel, c. ...
Phoenicia, Tyre.  Dishekel, c. ...
Phoenicia, Tyre. Dishekel, c. 435 - 410 BC. (Silver, 12.74g., 21.7mm). Dolphin leaping to right above waves; below, murex shell; ... Read more - A remarkably pleasant and well-preserved example: one of a very few ancient coins to bear an Egyptian hieroglyphic letter as well as its value. Extremely fine.
Starting price:
5.000,00 CHF

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Lot status:
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Description

Phoenicia, Tyre.
Dishekel, c. 435 - 410 BC. (Silver, 12.74g., 21.7mm). Dolphin leaping to right above waves; below, murex shell; above, Šelošan (= one thirtieth [of a Mina]) / Owl, shown in the shape of the Egyptian hieroglyphic sign M, standing right with closed wings, head facing; behind, crook and flail; all within an incuse following the contours of the design. BMC 1. Rouvier 1775.
The city of Tyre goes back to the Early Bronze Age, c. 2750 BC, but it seems to have undergone a period of abandonment for over a millennium until the 15th century BC. Correspondence is known between Akhenaten and Tyre’s king Abimilki, especially concerning the relationship between the then island city and its mainland dependency, Ushu. The great upheavals at the end of the eastern Mediterranean Bronze Age seem to have left Tyre untouched, and enabled the city to escape from Egyptian tutelage. Trade greatly increased, leading to the Tyrian foundation of colonies in Cyprus, Africa – the most famous being Carthage – and Spain. Tyre was later forced to submit to both Assyria and Babylon, but the city was never destroyed and with the coming of the Persians Tyre became a greatly valued vassal, especially because of its naval power. Coinage began in Phoenicia in the mid 5th century, probably first at Sidon, but Tyre began its coinage shortly thereafter. What is particularly interesting about this coin is the fact that its value appears on it: since it was the city’s earliest coin its issuers wanted to make sure its users would know exactly what it was.

Grading/Status: A remarkably pleasant and well-preserved example: one of a very few ancient coins to bear an Egyptian hieroglyphic letter as well as its value. Extremely fine.

Notes
Provenance:
Millennia Collection, Goldberg 46, 26 May 2008, 52.
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Masterpieces of Greek coinage

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Pre-bidding - End
14 12 2015 10:00 CET
14 12 2015 09:00 Africa/Abidjan

Room auction - Start
14 12 2015 15:00 CET
14 12 2015 14:00 Africa/Abidjan