| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 3 | Auction date: 7 July 2025 |
| Lot number: 91 Price realized: 1,200 EUR (Approx. 1,413 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Zeugitana. Carthage circa 264-241 BC. Shekel AR 22 mm, 7,30 g Head of Tanit-Persephone to left, wearing wreath of barley ears, triple pendant earring and necklace / Horse standing to right, head to left. Nearly Extremely Fine CNP 87; MAA 42; SNG Copenhagen 187. The Siculo-Punic shekel struck between 261–241 BCE, during the First Punic War, is a prime example of Carthage's strategic use of coinage in Sicily. These silver coins were minted locally to support Carthaginian military efforts and to appeal to both Punic and Greek populations on the island. The obverse features the head of Tanit-Persephone to the left, adorned with a wreath of barley ears, a triple pendant earring, and a necklace. This elegant hybrid image merges Tanit, the Carthaginian goddess of fertility and protection, with Persephone, a revered Greek deity associated with agriculture and the underworld. The use of barley symbolizes fertility and prosperity, while the Greek stylistic influence was meant to resonate with Hellenized Sicilian communities. The reverse displays a horse standing right, head turned left, an image rich in Punic symbolism. The horse, often associated with Carthaginian nobility, military strength, and divine favor, underscores the city's martial values. This composition also recalls earlier Carthaginian motifs, creating continuity with traditional North African coinage. Struck in fine silver, these shekels exemplify Carthage's cultural adaptability and economic power, serving both as propaganda and practical currency during a critical conflict with Rome over dominance in the western Mediterranean. Starting price: 500 EUR |  |
