Elagabalus, AE28 of Tyre, Phoenicia. 11.71 gr.

Obv: IMP CAES M AN-TONINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: TV-RI-O-RVM, sacred olive tree flanked by two baetyl 
stones, hound of Heracles walking left finding murex on left in ex.

According to legend, the two mystical ambrosial rocks 
(baetyl stones) would float on the sea and come to rest 
on land, where, after a sacrifice, a new city would be 
founded on top of them.

Rouvier 2391; SNG Righetti 2344; BMC pl. XLIV, 7 and p. cxli, para 2.
Rare.

Contributed by Online Store of the Forum Ancient Coins, Nov, 2010