ARABIA, Southern. Qataban. Unknown ruler(s). Before 150 BC. AR gms – Hemidrachm (11.5mm, 2.05 g, 9h). Imitating Athens.

Electronic Auction 471
Lot: 103. Estimated: $ 300

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ARABIA, Southern. Qataban. Unknown ruler(s). Before 150 BC. AR gms – Hemidrachm (11.5mm, 2.05 g, 9h). Imitating Athens. Male head right, wearing broad diadem inscribed gms¹m (in Qatabanian = “one gms”) / Owl standing right, head facing; monogram to left, Royal Qatabanian monogram and AΘE to right. CAF 1.8aii, fig. 413 = Huth 357 = HGC 10, 712 (illustration); Triton XVIII, lot 762; Triton XVII, lot 595; Spink 236, lot 1060 (all from the same dies). Toned, obverse slightly off center. Good VF. Excellent metal. Extremely rare, the fifth known.

From the Asher D. Atchick Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 404 (23 August 2017), lot 293.

With its male obverse head, this type marks the transition in South Arabia from owl imitations to a coinage bearing local images. It is also important for the curious inscription on the diadem, which, in fact, provides the coin’s denomination, and therefore confirms the South Arabian coin designations mentioned in minuscule inscriptions found on wooden sticks (cf. Stein in CCK). This important rarity thus represents a short and very experimental phase in South Arabian coinage. Whereas the inscription on the diadem is less clear than on the single previously known example, the present coin has a complete monogram behind the owl’s back. (CNG thanks Martin Huth for providing this commentary on this intriguing coin.)

Closing Date and Time: 1 July 2020 at 10:34:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.