Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 600. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Half Shekel (7.04 g, 12h). Dated CY 47 (80/79 BC). Laureate bust of Melkart right / Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond behind; to left, ZM (date) above club; monogram to right, Phoenician A between legs. Rouvier -; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC 226 var. (control marks); CNG 79, lot 441 (same obv. die). EF, area of die rust on reverse, hairline flan crack.

Ex Dix, Noonan, Webb 73 (14 March 2007), lot 282; Triton IX (10 January 2006), lot 1049.

The date on this coin has been re-engraved in the die, making a clear reading difficult. Since this coin appeared in Triton IX, however, other half shekels struck from the same obverse die have appeared (including the previous lot), confirming the date.