Lot 1149
Zeugitania, Carthage. Silver Shekel (7.74 g), ca. 300 BC. Wreathed head of Tanit left. Rev. Horse standing right before palm tree, head turned to look back; in right field, star. (Jenkins & Lewis pl. 26, 15-7; cf. MAA 36; SNG Copenhagen 141). Extremely fine. Estimate $1,000UP
While the head on the obverse of this coin represents the native Punic deity, Tanit, its style is influenced by exposure to the Persephone types struck by Syracuse during the many conflicts between the Greek and Punic peoples for possession of Sicily in the fifth and fourth centuries BC. The horse reverse may refer to the foundation myth of Carthage in which the head of a horse was found on the hill where the city was to be built. This discovery was said to be an omen that Carthage would be powerful in war. The palm tree behind alluded to the Phoenician origin of the Punic Carthaginians since the Greek word for palm tree and the source of the regional name Phoenicia was phoinix.
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| Realized $1,239 |
