Ancient Greek - AR 1/4 Unit - Athena and Hercules - Circa: 300-200 BCE - Rare Variant
$1,976
Denomination: AR 'Quarter Unit'
Date: Circa 300-200 BC
Weight: 1.39 gm
Issuer: Sabaean Kingdom
Mount: 14K gold round wire
Grade: NGC - 6836623-002 Ch XF
Description: Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right, value mark on cheek. Reverse: Owl standing right, head facing, olive sprig and crescent behind, crescent before.
History: The Himyarites, an ancient kingdom in Arabia Felix (modern Yemen), produced a variety of silver and copper coins, primarily in the 1st to 3rd centuries AD. Their coinage often featured symbols like heads of deities, rulers, or animals, along with South Arabian inscriptions. The Himyarites' coinage was influenced by neighboring cultures, including those of the Greeks and Roman. The Himyarite Kingdom expanded its territory by conquering neighboring regions, including Saba' around 25 BCE, Qataban around 200 CE, and Haḍramaut around 300 CE. It was a significant center for trade, linking the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and India. The kingdom's wealth was based on trade, particularly in frankincense and myrrh. Copper or Bronze coins may have featured simpler designs and inscriptions, and may have been used for smaller transactions
The Himyarite Kingdom was an ancient state located in the southern highlands of Yemen. It emerged as an independent kingdom around 110 BCE after separating from the Qatabanian kingdom. The Himyarites initially ruled from Zafar and later moved their capital to Sana'a, in the 5th century CE. The Himyarites originally practiced South Arabian polytheism. By the late 4th century CE, Judaism became the state religion, followed by Christianity after 500 CE. The kingdom fell to the Kingdom of Aksum in 530 CE
Arabian Felix
