Unique and Unpublished

Sale: CNG 75, Lot: 527. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2007.  Sold For $3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHILISTIA (PALESTINE), Gaza. Mid 5th century-333 BC. AR Drachm (3.04 g, 2h). Female head right, with oriental hairstyle / Forepart of horse right; c/m: facing head of Bes; all in dotted square within incuse square. Cf. Gitler & Tal VI.3O (Obol); cf. SNG ANS 33-35; cf. BMC pl. 19, 13. VF, three test cuts on reverse. Unique and unpublished in this denomination.

Gitler & Tal VI.2D is a similar drachm with these types, but the style of this coin is a perfect match for the VI.3O obol, which also has this same countermark. On both this drachm and the obol, it appears that the reverse die was engraved to accommodate the addition of the Bes countermark, while the dies of type VI.2D were not.