198, Lot: 5. Estimate $150. Sold for $810. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CARTHAGE, Libyan Revolt. Circa 241-238 BC. Æ Dishekel (30mm, 15.41 g, 1h). Head of Herakles left, wearing lion skin / Bull butting right; [Punic “M”] above, A between hind legs. MAA 66 var. (M instead of A between hind legs); SNG Copenhagen 244 var. (same); Carradice & La Niece pp. 36, 141-58. Near VF, rough brown surfaces, some porosity, edge flaw (as made).

At the end of the First Punic War in 246 BC, Carthage found herself confronted with a dilemma. Large numbers of Greek, Italian, and African mercenaries had been hired to pursue the war with Rome, and now Carthage, defeated and bankrupt, had no money for the pay owed to them. Rebellion broke out in Sardinia and Africa. The latter situation became critical when one of the leaders, Matho, a native Libyan, inspired the native population to join the mercenaries against their Punic Carthaginian overlords. Hamilcar Barca, the great Carthaginian general, finally suppressed the revolt in 238 BC.