JUDAEA, Achaemenid Province (Yehud). Anonymous. Circa 375-332 BCE. AR Gerah – Twenty-fourth Shekel (8mm, 0.31 g, 9h).

Triton XXIII – Session Two – Greek Coinage Part II through Roman Imperial Coinage Part I
Lot: 483. Estimated: $ 5 000

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 3 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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JUDAEA, Achaemenid Province (Yehud). Anonymous. Circa 375-332 BCE. AR Gerah – Twenty-fourth Shekel (8mm, 0.31 g, 9h). Ear (of God?) / Falcon upward, head right, wings spread; [YHD (in Phoenician) to right]. MCP YHD 13, dies O1/R1; Meshorer 18; Hendin 1061; HGC 10, 440; Bromberg–; Shoshana –; Sofaer –; Spaer –. Toned, a hint of porosity, light scratch on reverse. VF. Well struck.

In his seminal work, A Treasury of Jewish Coins, Y. Meshorer identified the obverse type as God’s ear (pp. 11–2), stating: “In ancient forms of ritual and prayers to various deities, the notable relationship between man and his god was that between supplicant and listener: the supplicant voices his prayer and entreaties to his god, and the god listens and tries to carry out his wishes. Thus the god’s most important organ was his ear that heard the prayer. Indeed, an appeal to the gods and an appeal to the God of Israel was to be directed to their ears, and there are many examples of this in the Bible, including: ‘Incline Thine ear unto me and hear my speech’ (Ps. 17:6); ‘Incline Thine ear unto me and save me’ (Ps. 71:2), and ‘Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and answer me’ (Ps. 86:1).”

The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session Two – Greek Coinage Part II through Roman Imperial Coinage Part I will be held Tuesday afternoon, 14 January 2020 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.