Sale: CNG 60, Lot: 935. Estimate $400.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 May 2002.  Sold For $240. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHOENICIA, Sidon. 43/44 AD. AR Half Shekel (6.50 gm). Turreted bust of Tyche right / Eagle standing left, palm over far shoulder; date and letters in fields. Prieur 1352; RPC 4561; BMC Phoenicia pg. 161, 117. Toned VF, light even porosity. Very Rare. ($400)

The autonomous city of Sidon struck half shekels only occasionally, and the issue for 43/44 AD was the last silver coinage for the city. In contrast to RPC, which states that coinage of the last years is common, Prieur was able to locate only six specimens of this issue. This coin is better than the plated examples in the above references.