TYRE, PHOENICIA AR 1/12th? SHEKEL
HGC 10, 327, Elayi & Elayi Group III.1.2a, Toned Very Fine,11.8mm, .66 gram, Struck Circa. 425 - 310 C.E.
Obverse: Dolphin leaping to left above murex shell, all within dotted border
Reverse: Owl standing to right, head facing, crook and flail over shoulder, all within dotted border
SCARCE type with a LOVELY reverse! The murex trunculus was used in ancient Tyre to produce a blue/purple die, also known as techeilet in Hebrew. It was an important industry in Tyre and featured prominently on their coins.
Many catalogers list this as a 1/24th shekel but it actually larger and at .66 gram about 50% heavier than the 1/16th fractions that usually weigh in at about .4X gram.
