134, Lot: 280. Estimate $750. Sold for $1560. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHOENICIA, Byblus. Macrinus. 217-218 AD. Æ 29mm (12.91 g, 12h). Laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from front / Temple precinct of Aphrodite: conical cult baetyl of Aphrodite surrounded by ornate fence, all within colonnaded court, below, stairway leading to entrance; to left, distyle temple open left, containing lighted altar, stairway, and acrostolium decorated with trefoil, the whole viewed in aerial perspective; six-rayed star in exergue. J. Rouvier, "Numismatique des villes de la Phénicie," JIAN 4, 697; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC Phoenicia 37-38; Price & Trell 713. VF, dark olive patina, rough. Rare and desirable architectural type.

From the Tony Hardy Collection. Ex Finarte (1996), lot 1092.