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Triton XXIV

Lot nuber 25

CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (22.5mm, 10.42 g, 1h).


Triton XXIV
Lot: 25.
 Estimated: $ 750

Merani Collection – Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 2 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (22.5mm, 10.42 g, 1h). Baal of Tarsos seated left, his torso facing, holding eagle-tipped scepter in extended right hand; to left, grain ear and grape bunch above [L (in Aramaic)] to left, M (in Aramaic) below throne, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right / Lion left, attacking bull right above crenellated walls; MZDY ZY 'BRNHR’ W ḤLK (‘Mazaios, Governor of Transeuphrates and Cilicia’ in Aramaic) above. Casabonne Series 4, Group A; SNG BN 360; SNG Levante 113. Lightly toned, some porosity, slightly off center. Good VF.

From the Peter J. Merani Collection. Ex New York Sale XVII (9 January 2008), lot 97.

The Aramaic inscription on the reverse of this stater has prompted Biblical coin researcher David Hendin to reconsider the meaning of this coin type. It traditionally is translated as “Mazaios governor of Transeuphrates and Cilicia,” but Hendin translates it somewhat differently as “Mazaios who is over Eber Nahara and Cilicia.” The similarity of this inscription and a descriptive phrase used in two books of the Old Testament (which was codified at approximately the time this coin was struck) has led to Hendin’s suggestion that the walls on this coin represent the ones encompassing Jerusalem, which less than a century before had been rebuilt by Nehemiah, as related in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. (A fuller discussion of the subject is presented on pp. 100–3 of the 4th edition of Hendin’s Guide to Biblical Coins.)

The final winners of all Triton XXIV lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 19-20 January 2021. This lot is in Session One, which begins 19 January 2021 at 9 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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