SYRIA. Phoenicia. Tyre. AR Shekel (13.96 gms), dated CY 54 (73/2 B.C.). NGC Ch EF 45, Strike: 3/5 Surface: 2/5. Brushed, Scuffs. HGC-10, 357. Obverse: Laureate head of Melkart right, with lion skin around neck; Reverse: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, ΔΝ (date) above club; Δ to right; Phoenician B between legs. despite some off-centering of strike and the noted scuff across the reverse, this is a solid example from the popular series of dated Tyre Shekels made famous from their allusion to the "Thirty Pieces of Silver" in the Bible. From an Old Brooklyn Collection.
