MESOPOTAMIA, Assur(?). Mid to late 2nd century AD. Æ (21mm, 6.87 g, 7h). Probably struck during the Antonine Era (circa AD 138-192). Good Fine.

Electronic Auction 547
Lot: 649. Estimated: $ 300

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 1 300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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MESOPOTAMIA, Assur(?). Mid to late 2nd century AD. Æ (21mm, 6.87 g, 7h). Probably struck during the Antonine Era (circa AD 138-192). Draped bust of Aššur left, wearing Arsacid-style diadem over a domed headdress and neck torque; [Aššur-bel – ‘Lord Assur’ to left] / Large S(retrograde)C; above, crescent; all within laurel wreath. Heidlemann and Butcher, Regional History and the Coin Finds from Assur (Weisbaden, 2017), no. 405; Slocum –; Walker –. Earthen red patina, porosity, light deposits. Good Fine. Extremely rare, the fourth known.

This is the first known numismatic representation of Aššur, the principal deity of the city, who is known from Arsacid-period inscriptions in Hatra. The city of Assur is believed to have had autonomous rule under the Parthians but the entire area fell to the Sasanians in AD 240 by Ardashir I and the city was largely destroyed. The Assyrian empire and modern country of Syria take their names from the ancient city of Assur.

This is the only known coin type from the city of Assur and the only known coin to depict this deity. This is only the fourth known specimen; one from the Assur excavation, one in Berlin, and the third in a private European collection. This is the first specimen to come to market in at least twenty-five years and only the second in private hands.

Closing Date and Time: 4 October 2023 at 13:36:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.