TYRE FOURREE HALF SHEKEL – SEEMINGLY UNIQUE YEAR 180 (AD 54/5) ISSUE – VF GREEK BIBLICAL COIN (Inv. 20922)

$1,800.00

20806. PHOENICIA. TYRE.
Fourrée Half Shekel, 5.64 g, 19 mm. Issue dated Tyre year 180 (AD 54/5).
Obv. Laureate head of Melkart right. Rev. [ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ] ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛ[ΟΥ], eagle standing left on prow, PΠ (date) above club in left field, KP above EPH control monogram in right field, uncertain Phoenician letter between eagle’s legs.
Cf. DCA Tyre Supplement Release 2, 957 for a fourrée shekel of similar style.
VF, various marks, numerous breaks in the silver plating that expose the bronze core.

This fascinating ancient forgery has a clear date and control monogram indicating that it is based on a year 180 Tyrian half shekel. However, a year 180 Tyre half shekel has not been catalogued by Cohen, who only knew of shekels of that year. However, it is clear such an issue must have existed as the present imitation carefully replicates the style and control monogram seen on year 180 shekels (cf. Cohen 669). Therefore, until a standard half shekel for year 180 is discovered, the present specimen is the only piece of this denomination on record for that year. Furthermore, it is also quite surprising to see such a coin as a fourrée since the half shekels used by Jews for the yearly temple offerings were reputed to be of exceptional metal content.