Lot 1949

Description

Phoenicia, Tyre, Trajan, (A.D. 98-117), silver tetradrachm (14.24 grams), issued 110-111, obv. Trajan laureate head to right, supported by eagle standing right, club behind, around AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB GEPM DAK, rev. laureate bust of Melqarth to right, lion skin knotted at neck, around DHMAPX EX IE YPATE E, (cf.S.1088, Wruck 159, BMC 4). Nearly very fine and scarce.

The issue could also be assigned (by Wruck), to Seleucis and Pieria for Antiochia ad Orontem mint. Wruck believes the reverse type to be Herakles and not Melqarth. The reverse legend indicates the fifteenth year of tribunician power and five times consul and this corresponds to A.D. 110-111.