Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 619. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $235. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SAMARIA. Circa 375-333 BCE. AR Obol (0.57 gm, 11h). Two warriors standing face to face, holding shields and spears, all in dotted square / Two figures (Persian kings?), standing facing, holding sceptres, the one on the left in relief, the right incuse. Meshorer & Qedar 50. Good VF, a bit off-center. ($300)

This technique of rendering the design in both relief and incuse was first used on the early coinage of Phoenician cities such as Byblos, Sidon, and Tyre.