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                                Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1219. Closing Date: Jun 08, 
                                2005. SYRIA, Coele-Syria. Heliopolis. Philip I. 
                                244-249 AD. Æ 28mm (14.86 gm, 7h). Bidding 
                                Closed Estimate $300 

                              SYRIA, Coele-Syria. Heliopolis. Philip I. 244-249 
                              AD. Æ 28mm (14.86 gm, 7h). Laureate, draped, and 
                              cuirassed bust right / COL IVL AVG CL HEL, temple 
                              of Hermes-Simios on tree-covered hill; stairway 
                              from ground to summit, purse and [caduceus] in 
                              courtyard. Price & Trell 703; SNG Copenhagen 435. 
                              VF, heavy dark green patina. ($300)

                              From the Garth R. Drewry Collection.

                              Although traditionally described as the Temple of 
                              Jupiter Heliopolitanus at Baalbek, Price & Trell, 
                              noting the associated caduceus (barely visible on 
                              this coin), identify it as the Temple of Mercury, 
                              located on the nearby hill of Shekj ‘Addallah. 
                              Simios is the Semitic deity assimilated to the 
                              Greco-Roman Hermes-Mercury.


High bid of $900, $1035 including 15% buyers fee, or approximately €729, £495, C$1125, A$1170, on June 8, 2005.

Used by permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com