Sicily, Entella. Silver Tetradrachm (16.92 g), ca. 320/15-300 BC. Siculo-Punic issue. Head of Arethusa left, wreathed with grain ears, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; four dolphins around. Reverse: 'Mem', Horse's head right; behind, palm tree. Jenkins 263 (O81/R219); SNG Lloyd 1641 (same obv. die). Superb and lustrous. Lightly toned. Nearly Mint State. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP
Probably struck during or in preparation for the great conflict between Punic Carthage and Syracuse under the tyrant Agathokles that raged from 315-307 BC, this tetradrachm illustrates the immense impact of Greek culture on the development of Siculo-Punic coinage. The obverse depiction of the Semitic deity Tanit is lifted directly from Syracusan tetradrachms featuring Persephone-Arethusa - even down to the encircling dolphins. The horse's head reverse may allude to the foundation myth of Carthage, in which the city was founded by Dido of Tyre on a hill where the head of a horse was uncovered. This was an omen of the city's future prowess in war. The small palm tree in the background is a Greek pun on the Phoenician origin of Punic Carthage: the geographical name Phoenicia is derived from phoinix, the Greek word for palm tree.