Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 124 23 Jun 2021
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Carthago Nova.
Shekel circa 237-209, AR 7.17 g. Diademed head l. Rev. Prow r. with shield on deck; beneath, dolphin r. Robinson, Essays Mattingly, p. 49, 4c. Villaronga, MHC 19. Villaronga, p. 64, 10. CNH SNG BM Spain 91. SNG Copenhagen Supplement 1332.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly one of the finest
specimens known. A lovely portrait struck on exceptionally fresh metal,
old cabinet tone. Extremely fine / good extremely fine
Ex Lanz 20, 1981, 159 (illustrated on the front and back cover of the catalogue), M&M 66, 1984, 1 and New York XXVII, 2012, Prospero 210 sales.
Several Carthaginian issues from Spain bear portraits that may represent people rather than deities. In every case – including this rare shekel – the evidence for firm identification is lacking. With this issue, however, we need not doubt that the portrait is inspired by contemporary royal Greek portrait coins. The many trade contacts of Carthaginian merchants means that the potential influences are broad, but the proximity of Sicily, the vintage of the coin, and the character of the portrait make it likely – as Robinson suggested – that the source is the coinage of the Syracusan King Hieron II (or that of his son, Gelon II, or his grandson, Hieronymus). Hieron II originally was allied with the Carthaginians against Rome, but in 263 entered into a treaty of alliance with the Romans, who acknowledged his rights in Sicily. Their alliance remained strong for nearly half a century, through the first two Punic Wars, until, in 215, Hieron died at about ninety years old. Because his son Gelon II had died a year earlier, authority passed to his teenage grandson, Hieronymus. His brief reign ended with his murder thirteen months later, after which the Syracusans established a short-lived democracy, the Fifth Republic. In 214 the Romans besieged the city, which fell in 212 and provided an extraordinary source of wealth that helped carry them through the remaining years of the Second Punic War. In historical terms, Hieronymus is the strongest candidate of the three. Unlike his father and grandfather, who were staunch allies of the Romans, Hieronymus sided with the Carthaginians. His reign was frightful and brief, yet a substantial coinage was produced on his behalf. Chief among them was the silver 10-litrae, which bore a portrait similar to the one on this Carthaginian piece, even if it tends to betray the youth of the king. This Carthaginian coin type is generally dated to c.237 to 209 B.C., which fits well if any of the Syracusan royal portrait coins were the prototype. The reverse is unrelated, and speaks exclusively to the strength of the Carthaginian military. Two shields rest upon the decorated beak of the galley, with the post at the bow being adorned with a wreath and an admiral's pennant. Robinson suggested that the portrait was Hasdrubal, who in 228 succeeded his father-in-law, Hamilcar Barca, as commander of the Carthaginian forces in Spain. He ruled until his assassination in 221, after which command was assumed by his brother-in-law, Hannibal. Though reliable evidence is lacking, the possibility remains that Hasdrubal was indeed the subject.
Shekel circa 237-209, AR 7.17 g. Diademed head l. Rev. Prow r. with shield on deck; beneath, dolphin r. Robinson, Essays Mattingly, p. 49, 4c. Villaronga, MHC 19. Villaronga, p. 64, 10. CNH SNG BM Spain 91. SNG Copenhagen Supplement 1332.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly one of the finest
specimens known. A lovely portrait struck on exceptionally fresh metal,
old cabinet tone. Extremely fine / good extremely fine
Ex Lanz 20, 1981, 159 (illustrated on the front and back cover of the catalogue), M&M 66, 1984, 1 and New York XXVII, 2012, Prospero 210 sales.
Several Carthaginian issues from Spain bear portraits that may represent people rather than deities. In every case – including this rare shekel – the evidence for firm identification is lacking. With this issue, however, we need not doubt that the portrait is inspired by contemporary royal Greek portrait coins. The many trade contacts of Carthaginian merchants means that the potential influences are broad, but the proximity of Sicily, the vintage of the coin, and the character of the portrait make it likely – as Robinson suggested – that the source is the coinage of the Syracusan King Hieron II (or that of his son, Gelon II, or his grandson, Hieronymus). Hieron II originally was allied with the Carthaginians against Rome, but in 263 entered into a treaty of alliance with the Romans, who acknowledged his rights in Sicily. Their alliance remained strong for nearly half a century, through the first two Punic Wars, until, in 215, Hieron died at about ninety years old. Because his son Gelon II had died a year earlier, authority passed to his teenage grandson, Hieronymus. His brief reign ended with his murder thirteen months later, after which the Syracusans established a short-lived democracy, the Fifth Republic. In 214 the Romans besieged the city, which fell in 212 and provided an extraordinary source of wealth that helped carry them through the remaining years of the Second Punic War. In historical terms, Hieronymus is the strongest candidate of the three. Unlike his father and grandfather, who were staunch allies of the Romans, Hieronymus sided with the Carthaginians. His reign was frightful and brief, yet a substantial coinage was produced on his behalf. Chief among them was the silver 10-litrae, which bore a portrait similar to the one on this Carthaginian piece, even if it tends to betray the youth of the king. This Carthaginian coin type is generally dated to c.237 to 209 B.C., which fits well if any of the Syracusan royal portrait coins were the prototype. The reverse is unrelated, and speaks exclusively to the strength of the Carthaginian military. Two shields rest upon the decorated beak of the galley, with the post at the bow being adorned with a wreath and an admiral's pennant. Robinson suggested that the portrait was Hasdrubal, who in 228 succeeded his father-in-law, Hamilcar Barca, as commander of the Carthaginian forces in Spain. He ruled until his assassination in 221, after which command was assumed by his brother-in-law, Hannibal. Though reliable evidence is lacking, the possibility remains that Hasdrubal was indeed the subject.