Phoenicia, Arados, Uncertain King, AR Twelfth Shekel, Circa 440-420 BC, Marine Deity / Prow – RRRR

$370.00

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SKU: G9.12 Categories: ,
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Description

Greek,  Phoenicia, Arados, Uncertain King, AR (silver, 0.74g, 10.1mm), Twelfth Shekel, Circa 440-420 BC
Obv:  Half-length bust of marine deity facing, head right, holding fish by the tail in each hand
Rev: Prow of galley right; below, dolphin right; all within dotted square within incuse square
Ref:  E&E-A Group I.2.4; SNG Copenhagen 6-7 Rarity/Choice: Very Rare, VF (lovely toning)
Note: Arados, situated on a small island off the northern coast of Phoenicia, stood as one of the region’s paramount centers of commerce, overseeing several smaller towns nearby. While the city’s prominence in the Hellenistic and subsequent periods is well-documented, its origins and history during the Persian era remain relatively obscure. According to Strabo, it was established by colonists from Sidon in the 8th century BC, though other sources suggest an earlier founding. Nonetheless, by the 5th or early 4th century BC, Arados fell under the hegemony of the Persian Empire. This coin illustrates both the religious and economic significance of Arados in Phoenicia.

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