Rare Herod of Chalkis

CNG 105, Lot: 402. Estimate $2000. Sold for $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

COELESYRIA, Chalkis ad Libanon. Herod. AD 41-48. Æ (23mm, 11.35 g, 12h). Caesarea Maritima mint. Dated RY 3 (AD 43/4). [BAΣIΛEYΣ HPO]ΔHΣ [ΦΙΛOKΛAYΔIOΣ], diademed head right / [KΛAV]ΔI/Ω KAIΣA/PI ΣEBAΣ/TΩ ET Γ in four lines within a circle within wreath. Meshorer 362; Hendin 1252; RPC I 4778. Fine, applied earthen brown patina. Very 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 Chalkis by Claudius in 41 upon the request of Agrippa I, and all of Herod’s 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 granted Herod authority over affairs at the Temple in Jerusalem, a right he retained until his death some four years later.