About this artwork
The front of this coin depicts the god Melkarth (also spelled Melkart, Melqart), the Tyrian version of the Greek hero Herakles, wearing a crown of laurels.
On the back an eagle stands facing left, a palm branch visible over its right wing. The inscription translates to “of Tyre the holy and inviolable.”
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium
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Culture
- Ancient Greek
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Title
- Shekel (Coin) Depicting the God Melkarth
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Place
- Tyre (Minted in)
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Date
- 31 BCE–30 BCE
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Medium
- Silver
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Inscriptions
- Reverse: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ
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Dimensions
- Diam.: 2.6 cm (1 1/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. William Nelson Pelouze
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Reference Number
- 1923.1160
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/9720/manifest.json