Description
Sicily. Punic Tetradrachm ca. 330-305 BC, Lilybaion. Silver 16.79 g.; 24 mm.
Obverse: Head of Tanit / Arethusa (or Persephone) to right, wearing wreath of grain, triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; around, three dolphins //
Reverse: Charioteer driving galloping quadriga to left, holding kentron in his right hand and reins in his left; above, Nike flying right to crown the charioteer, ['RSMLQRT'] "Raš Melqart" in Punic script below.
HGC: 2-743.
Splendid cabinet patina, magnificent portrait. NGC graded Ch XF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5
Comment
The mint where this Silico-Punic Tetradrachm was struck, also known as the ‘Raš Melqart’ (‘Cape of Melkart’) strike because of the inscription beneath the quadriga, is not certain. It is thought that the mint was in Lilybaion, an ancient Greek city founded by Rhodians and Cnidians.
This Greek city on the western point of Sicily, whose name comes from the Greek ‘Lilýbaion’ meaning ‘Facing Libya’, came under Carthaginian control from 397 BC until 241 BC, when it was taken by the Romans after being besieged for 9 years. It is therefore quite possible that this superb specimen was struck in this city during Carthaginian rule, as it bears this Punic legend.
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