KYRENE, KYRENAICA AR DIDRACHM
SNG Cop. 1246, BMC 242, Very Fine, 21.2mm, 7.65 grams, Struck under Magas, half brother of Ptolemy I, Circa. 294 - 275 B.C.E.
Obverse: Horned head of Apollo Carneios to left
Reverse: Silphium plant, star in upper left field, monogram in upper right field, KY PA across lower fields
These are often struck on tight flans with very partial portrait. This coin struck on a nicely sized planchet and a very nice mid to better grade representation of this type!
The Silphium plant made Cyrene quite wealthy. It was used as both a spice and remedy.
