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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Gods, Non-Olympian| ▸ |Melqart||View Options:   | | | Melqart (Phoenician: lit. Melek-qart, "King of the City") was the tutelary god of the Phoenician city of Tyre. Melqart was often titled Ba'l Sur, "Lord of Tyre," and considered to be the ancestor of the Tyrian royal family. In Greek, by interpretatio graeca he was identified with Heracles and referred to as the Tyrian Herakles. As Tyrian trade and colonization expanded, Melqart became venerated in Phoenician and Punic cultures from Lebanon to Spain. The first occurrence of the name is in a 9th-century B.C. stela inscription found in 1939 north of Aleppo in today northern Syria, the "Ben-Hadad" inscription, erected by the son of the king of Aram, "for his lord Melqart, which he vowed to him and he heard his voice." Melqart is likely to have been the particular Ba'al found in the Tanakh (the Jewish Bible, specifically in 1 Kings 16.31?10.26) whose worship was prominently introduced to Israel by King Ahab and largely eradicated by King Jehu. |
Herakles is depicted wearing the Nemean lion skin around his neck. The first of Herakles' twelve labors, set by his cousin King Eurystheus, was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. Herakles discovered arrows and his club were useless against it because its golden fur was impervious to mortal weapons. Its claws were sharper than swords and could cut through any armor. Herakles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight, the lion bit off one of his fingers. After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife but failed. Wise Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told him to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.RP114280. Silver tetradrachm, RPC Online III 3536, McAlee 459 (rare), Wruck 156, Prieur 1514, VF, centered, double struck, areas of mild porosity, edge cracks, weight 14.051 g, maximum diameter 25.8 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 109 - 110 A.D.; obverse AVTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Trajanus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate head right, club left below, eagle at point of bust standing right with wings closed; reverse ΔHMAPX - EΞ IΔ YΠAT E (tribunicia potestate XIV, consul VI), laureate bust of Melqart-Herakles right, Nemean lion-skin around neck, tied at front; first specimen of this type handled by FORVM; rare; $400.00 (€376.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Herakles is depicted wearing the Nemean lion skin around his neck. The first of Herakles' twelve labors, set by his cousin King Eurystheus, was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. Herakles discovered arrows and his club were useless against it because its golden fur was impervious to mortal weapons. Its claws were sharper than swords and could cut through any armor. Herakles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight, the lion bit off one of his fingers. After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife but failed. Wise Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told him to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.RP114277. Silver tetradrachm, RPC III 3533, Prieur 1496, McAlee 458, Wruck 151, VF, broad flan, double struck, edge cracks, graffito X obverse right field, weight 14.097 g, maximum diameter 27.2 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 103 - 111 A.D.; obverse AVTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Trajanus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate head right, club left below, eagle standing right with wings closed at point of bust; reverse ΔHMAPX - EΞ IE YΠAT E (Tribunicia potestate, consul V), laureate bust of Melqart-Herakles right, Nemean lion-skin around neck tied at front, cruder larger bust style variant; $350.00 (€329.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Herakles is depicted wearing the Nemean lion skin around his neck. The first of Herakles' twelve labors, set by his cousin King Eurystheus, was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. Herakles discovered arrows and his club were useless against it because its golden fur was impervious to mortal weapons. Its claws were sharper than swords and could cut through any armor. Herakles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight, the lion bit off one of his fingers. After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife but failed. Wise Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told him to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.RP114278. Silver tetradrachm, RPC III 3533, Prieur 1496, McAlee 458, Wruck 151, VF, well centered, full legends, flow lines, rev. die wear, areas of porosity, tiny edge cracks, weight 13.550 g, maximum diameter 25.5 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 103 - 111 A.D.; obverse AVTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Trajanus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate head right, club left below, eagle standing right with wings closed at point of bust; reverse ΔHMAPX - EΞ IE YΠAT E (Tribunicia potestate, consul V), laureate bust of Melqart-Herakles right, Nemean lion-skin around neck tied at front, cruder larger bust style variant; $280.00 (€263.20)
Carthage, Zeugitana, North Africa, Second Punic War, c. 213 - 211 B.C.
Examples in the Enna hoard and other Sicilian hoards indicate that this coin was struck in Carthage for use in the Sicilian campaign of 213 - 210 BC. Experts disagree on the identity of the portrait; many identifying it as the god Melqart, others as Hannibal or his father.
SH13769. Silver half shekel, SNG Cop 383, Choice EF, weight 3.329 g, maximum diameter 18.6 mm, die axis 0o, Carthage (near Tunis, Tunisia) mint, obverse laureate male head left (Hannibal or Melqart), dot border; reverse African elephant walking left on exergual line, Punic letter in exergue, linear border; toned; SOLD
Tyre, Phoenicia, 75 - 74 B.C., Judas' 30 Pieces of Silver
Judas' 30 Pieces of Silver
"Then one of the 12, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, 'What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?' And they covenanted with him for 30 pieces of silver." - Matthew 26:14-15.SL110491. Silver shekel, BMC Phoenicia p. 243, 143 (same controls); Rouvier 2038 (same); Cohen DCA 919/52 (R2); HGC 10 357; Baramki AUB -; SNG Cop -, NGC Ch XF, strike 5/5, surface 3/5 (6558157-001), weight 13.515 g, maximum diameter 29.0 mm, die axis 45o, Phoenicia, Tyre (Lebanon) mint, 75 - 74 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Melqart right, lion's skin knotted around neck; reverse TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (of Tyre the holy and inviolable), eagle left, right foot on war galley ram, transverse palm frond on far side, BN (year 52) over club left, A (control) right, Phoenician letter beth (control) between legs; ex Jesus Vico auction 162 (12 Jul 2022), lot 52; NGC| Lookup; rare date; SOLD
Jerusalem or Tyre, 12 - 11 B.C., Judas' 30 Pieces of Silver
Judas' 30 Pieces of Silver
"Then one of the 12, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, 'What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?' And they covenanted with him for 30 pieces of silver." - Matthew 26:14-15. Shekels of Tyre were the only currency accepted at the Jerusalem Temple and are the most likely coinage with which Judas was paid for the betrayal of Christ.
After the coinage of Tyre was debased under Roman control, some experts believe Herod the Great began to strike "Tyre" shekels in Jerusalem. These coins were of cruder fabric and style, but maintained the silver purity required to pay the temple tax. The Jerusalem shekels have the letters KP or KAP to the right of the eagle and dates range from PH (18/17 B.C.) to P
E (69/70 A.D.). The Greek letters KP or KAP are probably an abbreviation for KAICAP, Greek for Caesar.GP94922. Silver shekel, RPC I 4645; BMC Phoenicia p. 248, 192 var. (beth vice aleph); Baramki 79 var. (same); Rouvier 2088 var. (same); Cohen DCA 920/115; HGC 10 357, VF, attractive style, centered on tight flan, toned, slight porosity, light marks and scratches, weight 13.619 g, maximum diameter 27.8 mm, die axis 45o, Tyre or Jerusalem mint, 12 - 11 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Melqart right, lion's skin knotted around neck; reverse TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (of Tyre the holy and inviolable), eagle left, right foot on war galley ram, transverse palm frond on far side, PIE (year 115) over club left, KP (Caesar) over BN (control) right, Phoenician letter aleph (control) between legs; from the Ray Nouri Collection; SOLDJerusalem or Tyre, 20 - 21 A.D., Judas' 30 Pieces of Silver
Judas' 30 Pieces of Silver
"Then one of the 12, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, 'What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?' And they covenanted with him for 30 pieces of silver." Matthew 26:14-15. Shekels of Tyre were the only currency accepted at the Jerusalem Temple and are the most likely coinage with which Judas was paid for the betrayal of Christ.
The Temple Tax Coin
"..go to the sea and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou has opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them [the temple tax collectors] for me and thee." Since the tax was one half shekel per man the coin would have to be a shekel to pay the tax for both Jesus and Peter. Matthew 17:24-27SH86527. Silver shekel, RPC I 4659; Prieur 1419 (3 spec.); Cohen DCA 920; HGC 10 357; BMC Phoenicia p. 248, 200 - 201 var. (different monogram right), VF, toned, tight flan as typical for this issue, bumps and marks, weight 14.180 g, maximum diameter 25.0 mm, die axis 0o, Tyre or Jerusalem mint, 20 - 21 A.D.; obverse laureate head of Melqart right, lion's skin knotted around neck; reverse TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (of Tyre the holy and inviolable), eagle left, right foot on war galley ram, transverse palm frond on far side, letter between legs, PMΣ (year 146) and club left, KP over monogram right, uncertain Aramaic letter between eagle's legs; from the David Cannon Collection, ex Beast Coins; SOLD
The Temple Tax Coin, Tyre KP Type Half Shekel, Jerusalem or Tyre Mint, 64 - 65 A.D.
One of the last issues of the type and apparently unpublished!SH26439. Silver half shekel, Prieur -, RPC I -, BMC Phoenicia -; Baramki AUB -; cf. RPC I supplement 4680 (full shekel), VF, weight 6.474 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 0o, Tyre or Jerusalem mint, 64 - 65 A.D.; obverse laureate head of Melqart right, lion's skin knotted around neck; reverse TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (of Tyre the holy and inviolable), eagle standing left, head left, wings closed, right talon on war galley ram, palm frond transverse right behind, P
(year 190) and club left, KP and HP monogram right, Aramaic beth between legs; extremely rare; SOLDThe Temple Tax Coin, Tyre KP Type Half Shekel, Jerusalem or Tyre Mint, 46 - 47 A.D.
At the Great Temple in Jerusalem the annual tax levied was 1/2 shekel per male. The 1/2 shekel and shekel were the only coins accepted by the temple. Some experts believe that after the coinage of Tyre was debased under Roman control, Herod the Great began to strike "Tyre" shekels in Jerusalem. These coins were of cruder fabric and style, but maintained the silver purity required to pay the temple tax. The "Jerusalem" shekels have the letters KP or KAP to the right of the eagle and dates range from PH (18/17 B.C.) to P
E (69/70 A.D.). The Greek letters KP or KAP are probably an abbreviation for KAICAP, Greek for Caesar. JD95985. Silver half shekel, DCA Tyre II 911, Cohen DCA 922 (R2), RPC Online I 4702B, HGC 10 358 (unlisted date), Prieur -, BMC Phoenicia -, SNG Cop -, AUB -, F, toned, scratches, bumps, flan crack, obverse off center, weight 6.701 g, maximum diameter 21.3 mm, die axis 0o, Tyre or Jerusalem mint, 46 - 47 A.D.; obverse laureate head of Melqart right, lion's skin knotted around neck; reverse TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (of Tyre the holy and inviolable), eagle standing left, head left, wings closed, right talon on war galley ram, palm frond transverse right behind, POB (year 172) over club left, KP over monogram (control) right, Aramaic alef (control) between legs; from the Errett Bishop Collection; SOLD
Tyre, Phoenicia, 80 - 79 B.C., The Temple Tax Coin
Half Shekel - the currency of the Jerusalem Temple.
At the Great Temple in Jerusalem the annual tax levied on Jews was 1/2 shekel per male. The 1/2 shekel and shekel were not always used in everyday commerce, but were the only coins accepted by the temple. Many taxpayers required a currency exchange, so money changers set up in the Temple court. Jesus found this business and their shouting (advertising rates) offensive, so he threw over their tables.SH86530. Silver half shekel, HGC 10 358; Cohen DCA 921 (S); BMC Phoenicia p. 251, 226 var. (different monogram right); cf. Rouvier 2131 (this year and monogram, shekel), aVF, centered, toned, scrapes, edge chips and lamination defects, corrosion, rough, weight 5.430 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 0o, Phoenicia, Tyre (Lebanon) mint, 80 - 79 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Melqart right, lion's skin knotted around neck; reverse TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (of Tyre the holy and inviolable), eagle standing left, head left, wings closed, right talon on war galley ram, palm frond transverse right behind, ZM (year 47) over club left, ΦIΛ monogram
right, Aramaic letter bet between legs; from the David Cannon Collection, ex Beast Coins; SOLDCLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY - FORVM's PRIOR SALES
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