Phönizien, Arados. 1/16 Shekel 380-351/0 BC/ Ba'al-Arwad Bust -Rare (Ohne Mindestpreis)

Phoenicia, Arados – 1/16 Shekel, Circa 380–351/0 BC – Rare Silver Coin

Weight: 0.41 g
Diameter: 9 mm
Alignment: 00h

A rare and beautifully toned 1/16 Shekel from the Phoenician city-state of Arados, minted circa 380–351/0 BC. This coin is a remarkable example of Phoenician artistry and maritime heritage, featuring:

Obverse: Laureate bearded head of Ba'al-Arwad facing right, the chief god worshipped in the island city-state of Arwad.
Reverse: Aramaic letters "𐡌𐡀" ("ma") above a galley sailing right over two lines of waves, symbolizing the maritime prowess of the Phoenicians.
Cataloged as: Betlyon 13, HGC 10, 46, SNG Copenhagen 19–22.

Please note, the photos are highly magnified, and the coin appears even more impressive in person.

This piece has test cuts on the edge but remains in good very fine condition, with a stunning patina that enhances its historical appeal.

Provenance:
From a private Danish collection, established in the 1980s.

Historical Context:
Ba'al-Arwad was the primary deity of Arados, an important Phoenician city-state located off the coast of modern-day Syria. As a manifestation of the broader deity Baal, Ba'al-Arwad was associated with maritime power, fertility, and the forces of nature—central to the island’s culture and its thriving trade and seafaring activities in the Mediterranean.