Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 104 12-13 Jun 2018
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Phoenicia, Byblos. 'Ozba'al (Azbaal), c. 400-376 BC. Silver Stater (13.15g). Galley left, containing three hoplites with round shields; beneath, hippocamp and murex shell below. Reverse: Bull kneeling left, attacked by lion on his back, Phoenician legend 'Ozba'al, king of Gebal' above. HGC 10, 133. Beytlon 14. Well struck both sides on a full, slightly irregular flan, with choice light iridescent toning adding to eye appeal. An unusually choice example. Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $1,500 - 2,000
Byblos was so named by the Greeks for its involvement in the papyrus trade: The Greek word for "papyrus" was "byblios," which also came to mean "book," hence the term "bible." The Phoenicians called it "Gebal" or "mountain," and claimed it was the oldest city on earth, its foundation dating to the third millennium BC or earlier. It was also reputed to be the birthplace of the Phoenician alphabet, from which derived most western scripts.
Byblos was so named by the Greeks for its involvement in the papyrus trade: The Greek word for "papyrus" was "byblios," which also came to mean "book," hence the term "bible." The Phoenicians called it "Gebal" or "mountain," and claimed it was the oldest city on earth, its foundation dating to the third millennium BC or earlier. It was also reputed to be the birthplace of the Phoenician alphabet, from which derived most western scripts.