CNG 97, Lot: 298. Estimate $3000. Sold for $4250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHOENICIA, Arados. Uncertain king. Circa 348/7-339/8 BC. AR Stater (16mm, 10.64 g, 9h). Dated RY 5 of an uncertain king N–. Head of marine deity right, wearing laurel wreath / Galley right above waves; Aramaic MA N and ||| || (date). Cf. Betlyon 29; Rouvier –; cf. HGC 10, 36; DCA 752; Heritage, 3 January 2010, lot 21286; CNG E-203, lot 213; CNG E-124, lot 100. Superb EF, light mark on cheek. Rare and among the finest known.

From the Patrick H. C. Tan Collection. Ex Triton XIV (4 January 2011), lot 364 (hammer $3750).

Until recently, all of the known dated issues of Arados have been struck under the city’s last king, Gerostratos. On those coins, however, the third Aramaic letter, presumably the initial character of the king’s name, since it follows MA (= M(LK) A(RWD) = King of Arwad), is always a G. On this coin, the third letter is an Aramaic N. This letter is known to occur with the Aramaic MA on issues of Betlyon’s Fifth Aradian Series, but is never accompanied by a civic year date. While the name of Gerostratos’ predecessor is unknown, it is reasonable to assume, based on this coin, that his name begins with the letter N, and he at least ruled for five years.