p h o e n i c i a

Existing as several city-states, the Phoenicians replaced the Mycenaeans as the principal eastern Mediterranean seafaring power in the 10th century BC. Its long and complex history includes the founding of colonies throughout the Mediterranean, including Carthage in north Africa circa 800 BC. Defeated by Alexander in 332 BC, Phoenicia became subject to the Ptolemies, Seleucids and finally to the Romans in 63 BC. The Phoenicians regarded themselves as Canaanites. Cities listed from north to south.



r e f e r e n c e s




Karne

Arados

[Arados]12K JPG
Anonymous City coinage (2nd century BC)
AE 15
SGCv2 6001
15 mm.
3.65 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Head of Zeus, right.
Reverse: Triple-pointed ram of war galley, left; Phoenician legend and date [98 = 162/1 BC (?)].

[Arados]9K JPG
Anonymous City coinage (early 1st century AD (?))
AE 17
SGIC-
17 x 14 mm.
2.95 gm.
Die position=8h
reverse
Obverse: Turreted City goddess, right.
Reverse: War galley.
Note: In the style of the coins of Nabataea, circa 20 - 40 AD.

Marathos

[Marathos]16K JPG
Ptolemy VI, Philometer (180 - 145 BC)
174 BC
AE 21
SGCv2 6038v.
21 mm.
6.05 gm.
Die position=1h
reverse
Obverse: Young Ptolemy VI as Hermes (?), right.
Reverse: Marathos holding aphlaston. Phoenician Aramaic legend.
Note: Ptolemy would have been 11 when this coin was struck.

[Marathos]15K JPG
Ptolemy VI, Philometer (180 - 145 BC)
circa 165 BC
AE 20
SGCv2 6037v.
19 x 20 mm.
8.71 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Veiled bust of Berenice II (wife of Ptolemy III), right.
Reverse: Very stylized Marathos holding aphlaston. Phoenician Aramaic legend.

Orthosia

Tripolis

Byblos (Gebal)

Berytos

Sidon

100K JPG
Anonymous City coinage
circa 174 - 150 BC
AE 13
SGCv2 5961
12 x 13 mm.
1.85 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Tyche.
Reverse: Aplustre.

[Sidon]13K JPG
Anonymous City coinage
circa 87 BC
AE 20
SGCv2 5964
20 x 18 mm.
4.04 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Veiled and turreted bust of City goddess, right; 'MEN' in left field.
Reverse: Astarte standing left on war galley, holding tiller and standard. In field to left 'LEK'=year 25=87/6 BC. Greek legend; Phoenician Aramaic legend in exergue.

[Sidon]16K JPG
Anonymous City coinage
circa 100 AD (?)
AE 20
SGIC -
20 mm.
5.65 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Veiled and turreted bust of City goddess, right.
Reverse: War galley; Greek legend.

[Sidon]9K JPG
Anonymous City coinage
circa 2nd century AD (?)
AE 14
SGIC -
14 mm.
2.94 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Veiled and turreted bust of City goddess, right.
Reverse: War galley; Greek legend.

[Sidon]10K JPG
Anonymous City coinage
circa 2nd century AD (?)
AE 15
SGIC -
15 mm.
3.01 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Veiled and turreted bust of City goddess, right.
Reverse: War galley; Greek legend.

Tyre

[Tyre]9K JPG
Anonymous City coinage/reign of Hadrian
121/22 AD
AE 14
SGIC-
15 mm.
2.85 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Veiled and turreted bust of City goddess, right.
Reverse: Palm tree; Greek legend.

[Tyre]15K JPG
Anonymous City coinage/reign of Antoninus Pius (?)
circa 150 AD
AE 20
SGIC 5212v.
20 x 19 mm.
6.24 gm.
Die position=11h
reverse
Obverse: Veiled and turreted bust of City goddess, right.
Reverse: War galley; Greek legend.

Ptolemais-Ake

Dora

b a c k  t o  a n c i e n t  c o i n s