PHOENICIA, Sidon. Uncertain king. Circa 435-425 BC. AR Dishekel (27mm, 26.12 g, 12h). Near EF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 332. Estimated: $ 50 000

Greek, 12h, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 60 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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PHOENICIA, Sidon. Uncertain king. Circa 435-425 BC. AR Dishekel (27mm, 26.12 g, 12h). Phoenician galley under sail left; two sets of waves below / Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, standing left, drawing bow, quiver over shoulder; to left, incuse head of goat left; to right, incuse head (of Bes?) right. Unpublished, but cf. E&E-S Group II.2 for half shekels with these types, but with reverse type right (obv. die D9 may be engraved by the same hand as the obverse die used here). Lightly toned, some underlying luster, trace deposits, a touch off center. Near EF. An impressive and unique dishekel.

Sidon (modern Saida) was an important commercial center located on the coast of Phoenicia. Archaeological evidence dates the earliest remains to the Palaeolithic era. In the 10th century BC, the Phoenicians freed the city from Egyptian control and developed it into a maritime power through trade with other settlements throughout the eastern Mediterranean. During this time, it is thought that Tyre was founded by colonists from Sidon. Over the next five centuries, the city fell under Assyrian, Babylonian, and, eventually, Persian control. In the latter period, Sidon became the most important city of Phoenicia, and it was the first to develop a local coinage. These coins were struck under the local Sidonian king, and typically consisted of iconography representing the king and his overlord, the Great King of Persia, as well as a galley, the source of Sidonian wealth and power.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session Two – Lot 302-613 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 13 January 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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