Sale: Nomos 5, Lot: 126. Estimate CHF5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 24 October 2011.  Sold For CHF6000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CARTHAGE, Sicily. Unlocated Punic mint. Circa 320/15-300 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.17 g 9), Lilybaion or Entella (?). Head of Tanit to left, wearing wreath of grain leaves, triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; around, four dolphins. Rev. ’MMHNT = “People of the Camp” Horse’s head to left; behind, palm tree. Jenkins, Punic 146 (dies O46/R130). SNG Ashmolean 2158. An attractive and elegant coin of fine style. Lightly toned. Some very minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine.

Acquired from Bank Leu in the late 1970s.

The elegant head of Tanit/Persephone on the obverse is clearly copied from the Arethusa heads of Euainetos that first appeared on the coins of Syracuse.