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Auction: 312 - Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1083

Sicily, Siculo-Punic, Time of the First Punic War (264-260 BC), AR 5 Shekels - Dekadrachm, mint of Panormus (?), 37.74gms, head of Tanit, wreathed in grain-ears, left, wearing single pendant earring, rev. Pegasos flying right, Punic legend below B´RST --"in the land of" (Jenkins, 57, 436; Müller 127, Weber 1278), lovely old toning over a few old reverse scratches and minor deposits, well-centered and full types, a pleasing example of this magnificent issue, good very fine. Struck by the Carthaginians in Sicily during the first Punic War against Rome, these large silver pieces were likely issued for military purposes. The types are clearly influenced by models of Corinth and her colony, Syracuse, but conversely are indicative of the waning of Greek influence in Carthaginian Sicily. On the obverse, the head of Tanit is rendered in a style derived from earlier gold and electrum of Carthage. Pegasos on the reverse, meanwhile, is copied from Corinthian Staters, but the treatment of the winged horse is alien to the Greek prototype.

Sold for
$27,000