Sicily, Siculo-Punic (c. 320-300 BC) Silver Tetradrachm, Head of Tanit-Persephone facing left, crowned with reeds and wearing pearl necklace and triple-pendant earring, surrounded by four dolphins, R. Horse’s head facing left, palm tree with two clusters of dates behind, Punic legend ‘MMHNT’ below.

Extremely Fine. Attractive cabinet tone with iridescent hues.

(Jenkins, Punic 183 (O53/R161); SNG Lloyd 1633 (same dies); Hunterian 7 (same dies)).

17.0g.

Ex Spink.

This impressive silver tetradrachm was probably struck at the Siculo-Punic mint of Entella, and bears the inscription ‘MMHNT’, translating to ‘People of the Camp’, implying these coins were issued to pay troops fighting for Carthage. These tetradrachms coincide with a period of turmoil in Sicily, stemming from the assault of Agathokles, the Tyrant of Syracuse, on Carthaginian territories in 311 BC. Carthage responded with a massive military campaign and took back almost all the island by 310 BC, eventually laying siege to Syracuse. As a last resort Agathokles launched a counterattack on the city of Carthage itself (a tactic the Romans would use to great effect during the Second Punic War a century later). In a foreshadowing of history, the Carthaginians were forced pull back their army to defend the homeland, but in this case, they were successful. Agathokles retreated to Sicily with a bloody nose in 307 BC, and after peace treaties, permitted to keep control over Syracuse.