Extremely Rare Samarian Issue

246, Lot: 139. Estimate $100. Sold for $125. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SAMARIA. Circa 375-333 BC. AR Hemiobol (6mm, 0.36 g, 12h). Galley left on waves / Persian king in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear and bow. Meshorer & Qedar - (but cf. 97 and 205); Classical Numismatic Group 84, lot 710 corr. (described as obol). Fine, a bit porous. Extremely rare.

This coin and both Meshorer & Qedar 97 and 205 have reverses that copy the obverses of the Achaemenid royal coinages of the type Carradice type IIIb (king with spear and bow). However, while the two published pieces copy the later varieties, type IIIb Group C and IIIb Late, the present coin copies the earlier varieties, type IIIb Groups A and B.