Ancient Coins: GREEK SILVER: Phoenicia, Sidon, Baalsillem II, c.401-366 B.C.

AR Double Shekel, 27.92g,  28.5 mm.  Phoenician war galley to left on zigzag double row of waves; oars and rudder below; row of shields on deck; helmeted armed warrior on bow perhaps as a figurehead.  Phoenician "B" in field above.   Rev.  Persian King and driver in chariot to left; King of Sidon in Egyptian dress holding long scepter behind.    Betylon 18.  SNG COP 194. Elayi and Elayi 546(this coin).  Attractive toning.

This is a spectacular depiction of a Phoenician war galley. It is among the finest known obverses for a notoriosly poorly struck issue; even the detail of the armed warrior on the bow is unusually visible.  

Provenance/Pedigrees:
Ex: CNG, Auction 41, March 19, 1997, lot 699
Ex: Münzen und Medaillen Deutschland, Stuttgart, Auction 3, October 15, 1998, lot 115.

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