Lot 1981

Description

Sicily, Siculo-Punic, Rash Melqart (Selinus or Lilybaeum?), (350-300 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.16 grams), Rash Melqart mint, obv. galloping quadriga to right, guided by charioteer in long chiton, in exergue Punic script for `Rshlqrt' rev. head of Arethusa to right, surrounded by four dolphins, (cf.S.891; G.K.Jenkins `Coins of Punic Sicily Part I, SNR 50 (1971), No.8 [Plate 15 same reverse die], cf.SNG ANS 721). Die crack across neck on reverse, extremely fine with some mint bloom, an exceptional piece of great rarity.

The mint of Rash Melqart began issuing tetradrachms during the second half of the fourth century B.C., primarily in response to the renewed political and military activity of her long-time rival city, Syracuse. The mint attribution is uncertain and various possibilities have been suggested, however the style of these coins reveal close affinities with the Sicilian `Carthage' series which are thought to have been issued at Lilybaeum although the ANS catalogue suggest another mint Selinus as a possibility.