Ancient Greece - 126/5 BCE - AD 65/6 Phoenicia, AR Shekel of Tyre NGC MS
IN STOCK
SKU
6156534012
PHOENICIA. Tyre. Ca. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (14.15 gm). NGC MS Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5. Dated Civic Year 168 (AD 42/3).
Obverse: laureate bust of Melkart right, lion skin tied around neck . Melkart was the tutelary gold of the city-state of Tyre in Phoenicia. Reverse: ΤΥPΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ-ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, eagle standing left on prow, palm behind and over right wing; date in left field, KP over ΣAK monogram in right; bet (Phoenician) between legs. The eagle was the symbol of the god Melkart. A gorgeous specimen of this popular type. Attractive style and rich toning. It is of popular belief that Tyrian shekels such as this example were the "thirty pieces of silver" given to Judas referenced in the New Testament.
Bust of Melkart from National Museum of Denmark. Photo: wikimedia.org.
| Grading Service | NGC |
|---|---|
| Year of Issue | NONE |
| Grade | MS60 |
| Ancient Year Range | 1st C. BC |
| Denom Type | Ancient |
| Numeric Denomination | AR Shekel |
| Mint Location | NONE |
| Designation | NONE |
| Circ/UnCirc | Uncirculated |
| Strike Type | Business |
| Holder Variety | Strike 4/5; Surface 4/5 |
| Grade Add On | NONE |
| Holder Type | N/A |
