12076

Carian Islands, Rhodes. Ca. 230-205 B.C. AR

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
Carian Islands, Rhodes. Ca. 230-205 B.C. AR
Carian Islands, Rhodes. Ca. 230-205 B.C. AR tetradrachm (25 mm, 13.56 g). Radiate head of Helios facing slightly right / Rose, bud to right; ship's stern in left field; magistrate, Ameinias. SNG Keckman 542. Lightly toned, good VF. Wonderful style. Ashton mentions that this series of autonomous tetradrachms struck ca. 230-205 was the first to be struck in nearly a century, an enormous series of didrachms having met the needs of the city's economy during the interim (NC 1986, p. 16, b). What prompted this issue seems to have been the massive rebuilding and reconstruction program which followed the great earthquake that destroyed Rhodes in 227/6. To this endeavor Ptolemy III made a gift of 1000 talents in bronze coinage and 300 talents in silver coinage, of which one-third was paid immediately (Polyb. v. 89. 1-2, 3 and 6). It seems certain that Ptolemy's gift was the source of the silver used for this issue of tetradrachms. Important notice: Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid.