196, Lot: 65. Estimate $300. Sold for $312. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KYRENAICA, Kyrene. Ophellas, Ptolemaic Governor. First reign, circa 322-313 BC. AV Hemidrachm (11mm, 1.98 g). Polianthes, magistrate. Helmeted head of Athena right / Triple silphium. Naville 113; SNG Copenhagen 1211. Fine.

Kyrene was a city on the coast of North Africa founded by colonists from Thera. By the end of the sixth century BC, the city had developed into a thriving trading center, particularly due to the export of its native silphium plant. So important was this plant that it was the principal type on most of its coinage.