Extremely Rare Herod of Chalkis

Triton XIX, Lot: 279. Estimate $3000. Sold for $6000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

COELE-SYRIA, Chalkis ad Libanon. Herod. AD 41-48. Æ (25mm, 13.38 g, 1h). Caesarea Maritima mint. Dated RY 3 (AD 43/4). BAΣIΛ[EYΣ HPOΔHΣ ΦΙΛOKΛAYΔIOΣ], diademed head right / KΛAVΔI/Ω KAIΣA/PI ΣEBAΣ/TΩ ET Γ in four lines within a circle within wreath. Meshorer 362; Hendin 1252; RPC I 4778. Fine, black patina, earthen highlights. Extremely rare.

Continued Herodian support of the Romans allowed the dynasty to extend its influence beyond Jewish territories. Herod V, the grandson of Herod the Great, was granted the kingdom of Chalcis by Claudius in 41 upon the request of Agrippa I, and all of his rare coins name the emperor. His friendship with and loyalty to the emperor continued to benefit him; following the death of Agrippa in 44, Claudius extended to him authority over affairs at the Temple in Jerusalem, a right he retained until his death some four years later.