Freeman and Sear - Gemini I, Session 1 Lot: 256

NORTHEAST ARABIA: . 3rd century BC. AR tetradrachm 
(15.20 gm).

Head of young Herakles right in lionskin headdress.
Aramaic inscription, deity (Shams?) seated left, holding 
eagle and sceptre. 
Cf. Potts Class IV (drachms of identical style, but with figure of Nike in left field). 
Extremely rare and certainly the finest known of the 
type. 

This piece bears a clear but partial inscription on the right, apparently ABL'... rather than Abi'el. The inscription continues on the left, perhaps including the 
letter under the throne (RGLN? or BRGLN?), and does not seem 
to be the same patronymic that has been read on the Class II Abi'el tetradrachms. The style places them in the third century BC. 

Sold for $5,900 USD [ approx 4484 EUR, 3127 GBP ] 

Gemini I Auction Closed Jan 11-12, 2005. 

Re-used by permission of Freeman and Sear and Harlan J Berk.