Lot 1792

Description

Sicily, Siculo-Punic, Rash Melqart (Selinus?), (c.330-305 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.8 grams), obv. quadriga driven to left by male charioteer, Nike flying right crowning charioteer, punic script 'rsmlqrt' in exergue, rev. head of Artemis-Arethusa to right, hair twisted and bound, three dolphins around, (cf.S.893, BMC 4 [same dies], SNR 50, No.69 [same dies]). Very attractive, good very fine and rare.

Ex. Sotheby's London, Sale October 9, 1995 (lot 255). Jenkins note 15 specimens from these dies, only a few in private collections. The mint of Rash Melqart began issuing tetradrachms during the second half of the fourth century B.C., primarily is response to the renewed political and military activity of the 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 Sylloge suggest another mint Selinus as a possibility an attribution that this sale cataloguer prefers.