PHOENICIA, Tyre. Circa 430 BC. AR Double Shekel (13.38 gm). Dolphin right over triple line of waves, murex below; denomination inscription above, 'one-thirtieth' of a mina / Owl standing right, crook and flail over left shoulder; incuse outline around entire design. BMC Phoenicia pg. 227, 1; Traité pl. cxxii, 1; Kraay, ACGC 1048. Attractively toned, good VF. Rare this nice. $3250.
Tyre was the first of the Phoenician maritime cities to issue coins. The dolphin leaping the waves is a typical nautical theme for the coastal mints in Phoenicia. The owl with crook and flail makes reference to the Egyptian Pharoah's symbols of sovereignty. The use of an owl on the reverse possibly shows deference to the most common foreign curreny of the time - the Athenian owl.
The inscription on the obverse, 'one-thirtieth' of a mina, refers to the denomination of the coin - making it a double shekel.
