VESPA, CAVALLO E PALMA?

[Jerónimo Martinez]

3,80  GR. 16,69 MM

[King John]

ARADOS. Phoenicia. Ca.174-110 B.C.
Drachm, year 102 (158/7 B.C.). Bee, date to l. and monogram to r. Rv. Stag standing r., palm tree behind, APAΔIΩN to r. 4.20 grams. BMC 159. Medium gray. Well-centered. Extremely Fine. (1,500-2,000)
Arados was one of the most powerful of the Phoenician cities. Situated on an island off the northern coast of Phoenicia, Arados nevertheless controlled a large territory on the mainland with several dependent cities. By 259 B.C. it had established almost complete independence when Antiochos II took from Egyptian control all of Phoenicia north of Sidon and granted Arados its freedom. It is from this time that the coins of Arados are dated. Seleukos bestowed on the city very substantial additional privileges in approximately 243 B.C. Sometime during the reign of the Seleucid king Alexander I Balas (150-145 B.C.), Arados defeated and destroyed its arch rival, Marathos. The resulting booty seems to have supported an even larger series of Tetradrachms and Drachms from Arados.
From the Lawrence R. Stack Collection of Ancient Greek Coins.

[Jerónimo Martinez]

Grazie mille King John .

Saluti