Description
Sicily. Carthaginians. Tetradrachm ca. 350-320 BC, unlocated Punic mint. Silver 16.6 g.; 27.1 mm.
Obverse: Head of Tanit / Persephone to right, wearing grain wreath, triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; behind neck, poppy; before face, two opposed dolphins //
Reverse: Horse standing to right, right foreleg slightly lifted and bent, and backleg slightly lifted, with date palm-tree behind.
Unlocated Punic mint; Kephaloidion, Panormos, or a mint moving with the Carthaginian army in Sicily. Highly attractive example, with a delicate uniform grey patina. Almost uncirculated
Provenance Details
Ex E. Bourgey, 25 May 1950, lot 91.
Ex Faune d'Argent Collection.
Comment
Type featuring the rare poppy symbol behind the head of the deity. Jenkins interpreted this symbol as being of Greek origin rather than Punic origin, like the others appearing on types from the same period, which may seem surprising for a Carthaginian coinage, especially in the context of war. Boston MFA 493; Jenkins, Punic Sicily III, Serie 2c, 105 (n°3, this coin) (O36/R96); SNG Lloyd 1624 and SNG Lockett 1042.
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