Possibly Unique

443, Lot: 363. Estimate $750. Sold for $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHOENICIA, Aradus. Caracalla. AD 198-217. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 11.47 g, 7h). Struck AD 215-217. Laureate head of Caracalla right, set on eagle standing right / ΔHMA • ЄΞ • VΠATOC • T • Δ •, radiate and draped bust of solar deity right, with crescent below. Prieur 1229 var. (rev. legend and crescent placement). Good VF, lightly toned, some porosity, flan crack. Extremely rare if not unique, Prieur did not own this example when he published his book, and this coin is the only specimen in CoinArchives.

From the Michel Prieur Collection. Ex Triton XVII (7 January 2014), lot 758 (realized $1800 hammer);.

Prieur noted: “The god looks to the right, in contrast with the Shamash of ‘Emesa,’ who is always to the left.” He suggested Aglibol or Malakbel as possible identifications for the deity.