CNG 99, Lot: 374. Estimate $400. Sold for $340. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARABIA, Eastern. Uncertain. 1st century AD. AR Obol (10mm, 0.74 g, 5h). Bearded head of ‘Herakles’ left, wearing lion skin / Figure standing left, animal standing right on his extended right arm; uncertain monogram to left, ATTA to right. Unpublished in the standard references. VF, toned. Extremely rare, one of two known, the other in the ANS.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 85 (15 September 2010), lot 527.

A highly intriguing issue combining elements of the obverse head and inscription (ATTA) from the Characenian ruler Attambelos (III ?) and those of earlier issues from the western Gulf. According to information obtained by the cataloger, the Bahrain Museum houses a tetradrachm of the same type with a bearded Heracles with lion's skin on the obverse.