Numismatic

Phoenicia, Aradus AR Tetradrachm (138-43 BC) Ch VF NGC

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In the ancient world, the bustling Phoenician island city of Aradus produced remarkable silver coinage. Struck between 138 and 43 BC, this silver tetradrachm showcases the incredible artistry of the Hellenistic era, serving as a tangible window into the maritime culture of the eastern Mediterranean. The obverse of the coin features a detailed profile of Tyche, the goddess of fortune and prosperity, facing right. She is depicted wearing a distinctive turreted crown, a crown styled like a city wall, which symbolizes her role as the guardian and protector of the city. This imagery was a powerful statement of civic identity and divine favor. On the reverse, the goddess of victory, Nike, stands facing left. She is framed beautifully within an elaborate, ornamental wreath. This certified specimen, graded as Choice Very Fine, offers modern observers a remarkably preserved look at the engraving skills and political messaging of an ancient civilization.