710.  Sidon.  43/44 AD. AR  Half Shekel (6.50  gm). Turreted  bust of Tyche
right /  Eagle standing left, palm  over far shoulder; date  and letters in
fields.  Prieur 1352;  RPC I 4561;  BMC Phoenicia  pg. 161, 117.  Toned VF,
light even porosity. Very rare. ($500)

The autonomous city of Sidon struck half shekels only occasionally, and the
issue for 43/44 AD was the last silver coinage for the city. In contrast to
RPC, which states that coinage of the last years is common, Prieur was able
to locate only six specimens of this issue. This coin is better than the
plated examples in the above references.


CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 710.
 
 Lot sold for $600.


Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com