Phoenicia, Tyre AE 21 Civic issue, time of Augustus Veiled turreted bust of Tyche right, palm-frond behind Galley sailing left, date ΡΚΓ (civic date 123; 4-3 BC); ΙÊΡΑΣ, Tyre monogram TYP BMC Phoenicia 252 to 267. Found this one in a bulk lot from Naumann, about 8 months ago. Some interesting observations: 1) It is a very scarce type, or at least hard to track down in auction archives. 2) The civic date puts it right at about the time that Jesus is calculated to have been born (4 BC) 3) It is the only Greek coin I can recall that uses diacratical marks in the legend. From my light research, although diacratics were introduced centuries prior to this coin, their use was sporadic until the middle ages. I suppose the engraver was tired of the Romans mispronouncing "Tyre"? Please feel free to post related coins and comments!
That's a nice one for the type. I wouldn't say these are scarce unless you are referring to the year in which case I have no idea. Tyre Sidon 106 BC Obvs: Tyche wearing turreted crown, palm behind shoulder all within border. Revs: Lς ΣIΔΩNIΩN, War galley. Phoenician letters below. AE 22mm, 7.54g Ref: BMC 120
I couldn't find another of the same date, and only about 5 of the type on acsearch. Do they come up more often in large lots or on ebay?
Here's mine: PHOENICIA, Arados Æ17, 5.8g, 6h; 3rd-2nd Centuries BC Obv.: Turreted head of Tyche right. Rev.: Prow left, with figurehead of Athena Promachos, date below.
