DEMETRIOS II NIKATOR AR DIDRACHM
SC 2196.2b, HGC 9, 1125, Very Fine, scratches and marks, 21.3mm, 6.59 grams, Tyre mint, Struck Circa. 129/128 B.C.E.
Obverse: Diademed head of Demetrios II Nikator to right
Reverse: Eagle standing to left on prow, wings closed and with palm frond behind, club surmounted by monogram in left field, monogram above date ΔΠΡ (year 184 = 129/128 B.C.E.) in right field, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ around, monogram between eagle's legs
Marks but still quite sharp looking in hand!
This coin was struck in Tyre and was equivalent to the Half Shekel of Tyre. It has the same club symbol It is given the name didrachm because Tyre was still under Seleucid Greek rule in 129/128 B.C.E. We call the same denomination half shekel after the local currency when struck three years later, because Tyre had gained its pseudo-independence. This coin would have been used at the time for the half shekel tax and indeed these coins of Tyre are found mixed together in the hoards.
