Unique Tyre Tetradrachm
Possible British Reference Type

Triton XXII, Lot: 720. Estimate $1000. Sold for $3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHOENICIA, Tyre. Julia Domna. Augusta, AD 193-217. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 12.83 g, 12h). Struck AD 209-212. IOVΛIA AVΓOVCTA, bareheaded and draped bust right / MHTHP CЄBB KAI KACTPωN, Nike advancing left, holding wreath in right hand and palm frond in left; murex shell to lower left. Prieur 1527 (this coin, illustrated); Bellinger –. VF, lightly toned, some roughness. Extremely rare and possibly unique, the sole example cited by Prieur.

From the Michel Prieur Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica C (12 March 1993), lot 1902.

The legend is a Greek form of the Latin MATER AVGG ET CASTRORVM (“mother of the Augusti and army camps”). The Nike may allude to Septimius Severus’ victory in Britain.