Rare Herod of Chalcis

CNG 111, Lot: 559. Estimate $2000. Sold for $1300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

COELESYRIA, Chalcis ad Libanum. Herod. AD 41-48. Æ (27mm, 14.36 g, 12h). Caesarea Maritima mint. Dated RY 3 (AD 43/4). Diademed head right / KΛAVΔI/Ω KAIΣA/PI ΣEBAΣ/TΩ ET Γ (date) in four lines within a circle within wreath. Meshorer 362; Hendin 1252; RPC I 4778. Fine, dark green to black patina, earthen highlights. 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.